Advertisement

Surprising ways home decor can boost your happiness

Learn simple tricks to help rejuvenate your home, de-clutter your life, and clear your mind.

Updated on November 11, 2022

Happy woman surrounded by new home decor enjoying a cup of tea on a balcony.
1 / 10

No matter where you live, careful design can turn your space into a sanctuary. Elements like room layout, sounds from the street, and even the color of your throw pillows come together to determine the character of your home. And good design is about more than aesthetics—it influences your mental and physical health in surprising ways.

With that in mind, here are nineShow More

A serene bedroom filled with leafy, natural decor.
2 / 10
Make nature your muse

Humans aren’t meant to be kept in captivity, yet the average person spends about 90 percent of their time indoors. Research suggests it’s worth making the effort to get in closer touch with nature:

  • People in urban areas who live in green spaces are less likely to die of any cause than urban
  • Show More
Smiling woman with headphones on basking in the sun.
3 / 10
Let the light shine in

If possible, make the sun your primary source of light during the day. This may help:

  • Lower your electric bills.
  • Improve your sleep: Sunlight sends visual cues to your brain to help control your circadian rhythm. 
  • Feel better: Hospital patients residing near the window had shorter lengths of
  • Show More
Small evergreens being placed in a ceramic pot for a touch of natural home decor.
4 / 10
Get your hands dirty

Blur the lines separating your home from Mother Nature by surrounding yourself with vibrant, easy-to-care-for plants. Here’s how to incorporate greens into your design:

  • Grow fresh herbs and spices in your kitchen. Place them along the windowsill or hang them in decorative containers on the wall.
  • Show More
White bench and table surrounded by blue decor.
5 / 10
Smooth on a fresh coat of paint

A long history of psychology research suggests certain colors have calming effects, while others promote the flight-or-fight response. Picking out paint swatches? Consider these findings:

  • Blue has been found to reduce blood pressure and increase blood flow. It may also make you feel calmer and
  • Show More
A puppy cuddled up next to their owner's legs, surrounded by shag blankets and carpeting.
6 / 10
Select feel-good fabrics

Rugs, blankets, and curtains occupy large amounts of visual space. Use those blank canvases to add splashes of color, create a calming backdrop, or to display interesting patterns. But don’t forget about the touch and feel of fabrics—consider all your senses to truly make your home a comfort zone.&Show More

Moving water statue set up in a living room.
7 / 10
Drift away to soothing sounds

Noise pollution isn’t just a nuisance, it can trigger stress, interrupt sleep, and may increase heart disease risk. While it’s not a problem for everyone, city dwellers and people living near highways or airports should consider ways to mitigate noise pollution in their home design.

Invest in aShow More

Lavender, essential oils, candles, and other items to perk up a home's decor.
8 / 10
Inhale lavender (exhale tension)

Aromatherapy is the practice of inhaling scents to bring about a desired health effect. While many studies have looked at the potential benefits of aromatherapy, results have been mixed. Also, some experts wonder whether its benefits arise from the hope or expectation that it will work.  Show More

Hand holding a paint brush surrounded by flowers and paints.
9 / 10
Let accent pieces prompt healthy habits

Keep a colored pencil set or watercolors on your nightstand, along with a favorite coloring book. They’ll make for eye-popping additions to your bedroom décor, but they can serve an even greater purpose—they’ll be readily available as a soothing distraction when you lie awake worrying at night. AShow More

Happy couple moving boxes and items into their new home.
10 / 10
Banish clutter

“For overall peace of mind, keep your home as clutter-free as possible,” recommends Berry. “The fewer unnecessary items you have, the better. Decluttering cuts down on dust, tripping hazards, and reduces the time you need to spend cleaning. Being in a decluttered atmosphere just helps you feelShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Indoor Air Quality. Updated September 7, 2021.
Rojas-Rueda D, Nieuwenhuijsen M, et al. Green spaces and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. The Lancet. 2019; 3:469-477.
Bratman G, Hamilton P, et al. Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. PNAS. 2015; 112: 8567-8572.
Park MY, Chai CG, et al. The Effects of Natural Daylight on Length of Hospital Stay. Environmental Health Insights.2018; 12. 
Stern M, Broja M, et al. Blue light exposure decreases systolic blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and improves endothelial function in humans. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. 2018; 25: 1875–1883. 2016; 41:195-205.
AL-Ayash A, Kane R, et al. The influence of color on student emotion, heart rate, and performance in learning environments. Color Research and Application. 
Tofle RB, Schwarz B, et al. Color In Healthcare Environments – A Research Report. Coalition for Health Environments Research. July 2004.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Clean Air Act Title IV - Noise Pollution. Updated August 11, 2022.
National Cancer Institute. Aromatherapy With Essential Oils (PDQ®)–Patient Version. Updated August 16, 2022.
NIH: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Healthy. Aromatherapy. Last updated January 2020.
Main Line Health. What essential oil is best for anxiety? January 23, 2020.
Sánchez-Vidaña DI, Ngai SP, et al. The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy for Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:5869315. 
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work? Accessed November 11, 2022.
Barati F, Nasiri A, et al. The Effect of Aromatherapy on Anxiety in Patients. Nephrourol Mon. 2016 Jul 31;8(5):e38347.
Mayo Clinic. Home Remedies: What are the benefits of aromatherapy? May 8, 2019.
Cancer Research UK. Aromatherapy. Last reviewed May 31 2022.
Cleveland Clinic. 3 Reasons Adult Coloring Can Actually Relax Your Brain. May 27, 2020.
Mayo Clinic Health System. Coloring is good for your health. August 15, 2022.
Utah State University Mental Health Extension. The Mental Benefits of Decluttering. July 1, 2022.
Mayo Clinic. How decluttering your space could make you healthier and happier. May 20, 2021.

More On

The importance of letting go (2 min)

video

The importance of letting go (2 min)
Understand how emotions can keep you from moving forward and embracing the real you.
What to expect from a health coach

article

What to expect from a health coach
They listen, ask the right questions, and help keep you accountable. But that's not all.
5 strange summer myths, debunked

slideshow

5 strange summer myths, debunked
Understand the facts about bugs, pools, bears, and other seasonal hazards to help stay safe this summer. 
The old adage is true: you can't buy happiness

video

The old adage is true: you can't buy happiness
Child and adult psychiatrist Domenick Sportelli, DO, provides a new perspective by reviewing a Harvard study that proves the old adage true: “you can’...
Do you feel supported by your community?  The answer may depend on your race

video

Do you feel supported by your community? The answer may depend on your race
Well-being is tied to a person’s relationship with their community. Jen Caudle, DO, discusses data from the Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, whic...