How to Make Your House a Home

Our surroundings can have a profound impact on how we feel and how we think.

Our homes should be a haven in which we can retreat in order to enhance our feelings of positivity, psychological well being and benefit our overall quality of life. And regardless of how long you’ve lived in your home, it’s never too late to make some changes in order to create a happier home and sense of belonging in your space. But where should you start in the pursuit of a happy home? Well, why not start with the five elements of happiness in positive psychology. Often abbreviated to the acronym PERMA, the five elements of happiness in positive psychology are positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievement. But how can you pull all of these elements into your house in order to create a home which inspires and promotes happiness? Let’s take a look...

Embrace positive emotions through light, colour and nature

There are various adjustments and improvements you can make in your home to enhance your happiness. Introducing as much natural light as you can is a fantastic way to create a home which fosters happier feelings. Sunlight boosts our levels of serotonin, a hormone which makes us feel happy. Having plenty of natural light flooding into your home also harmonises our circadian rhythm, which supports restful, quality sleep, helping us to feel better, bounce back from setbacks and improve our mood.

Whether it’s the entire room or adding colour to create one feature wall, refreshing the paintwork in our homes can be a simple way to make us feel brighter and more positive. If you prefer a more neutral aesthetic, painting the woodwork and furniture within a room is also a great way to introduce a burst of colour into any space. However, rather than focusing solely on colours that are traditionally associated with happiness, it’s important to remember that the most significant factor in creating a space that fosters well-being is selecting a colour palette that resonates with you personally. If bold shades traditionally associated with happiness such as red, orange, or yellow aren’t to your taste, there’s no need to adopt them in your home. Choose colours that reflect your unique style and personality, and remember a home which is tailored to you and reflects your self-identity is key to creating a space where you truly feel happy and content.

One simple yet highly effective change you can make to enhance your home is to introduce houseplants. Studies have consistently shown that plants not only improve the aesthetic appeal of our spaces but also positively impact our overall well-being. The reason for this is rooted in our evolution - we have long been surrounded by nature, and this connection remains deeply ingrained in us. By incorporating a few carefully placed plants into your home, you can significantly elevate the atmosphere, creating a more vibrant and calming environment which supports your wellbeing.

Set your goals and boost your happiness

Setting a goal and achieving it triggers our brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine which produces feelings of pleasure and satisfaction and increases our happiness and wellbeing. So with the home in mind, take a look around…what do you want to achieve in your house to make sure it’s the home you’ve always wanted it to be? Is it to redecorate a room in your home? Extend to create an entirely new space? Have you set a goal to save and buy an item of furniture you’ve long coveted? Or is it simply to clean, tidy and organise a space in your home that’s been overlooked and neglected for far too long? The good news here is that setting a small goal and achieving it has the same effect on our brain as achieving something massive! Take a moment to reflect on what changes or projects you’ve been dreaming of for your home - whether it’s a small update or a bigger transformation, now is the perfect time to set those goals into motion.

Making a house a home that promotes your happiness and well-being is a journey that involves more than just décor and design - it's about aligning your surroundings with your deeper needs.

By incorporating the elements of happiness from positive psychology - positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement - you can transform your space into a sanctuary that nurtures your mind, body, and spirit. Whether it's letting in more natural light, fostering connections with family and friends through thoughtful layouts, or setting personal goals that help you feel accomplished, each small change you make brings you closer to a home that is not just a place to live, but a place that supports the life you want to lead.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so take your time to create a space that makes you feel at ease, happy and truly at home.