5 ways to make your home a happier place

1. Family time

A recent study from Harvard University carried out over 75 years, suggested that the secret to human happiness was the formation of strong bonds with family and friends. So for me this translates as creating spaces where families can both come together, say around a dinner table or a cosy sofa, but equally having space to sit and enjoy quite time alone, with the knowledge that family are close by.

 2. Create your happy space in the home

Mine is probably at the dining table in our living room – a space that I've purposefully created right at the centre of our home – so all family life revolves around it. We sit and eat meals at it, my children do their homework at it, we draw, create, make and sit and play round it. It's really multifunctional and super sociable.

But more than just a table, the space is made up of a number of other components that enrich the experience - it has comfortable chairs around it, a warming wood burning stove nearby, leafy green plants dotted around, it's framed by a calming reclaimed timber wall, and offers views out to the greenery of the garden - these are all aspects that I feel help to create a desirable and happy space to be in. And you know what? It really works.

3. Nurture nature

Numerous research studies demonstrate that improving our connection to nature and natural processes can help to reduce stress, aid recuperation, improve air quality, energy levels and even your sleep. To me these sound like some of the most important aspects of our lives so worth introducing to the home. Plants are great for removing toxins from the air. Plants such as English Ivy, peace lilys and ferns are all great for purifying air and should be dotted round the home.

4. Let the light in

British homes often lack light, which not only connects us to the outside world, weather, time of day and season, but it's also essential for our body's internal clock – our 'circadian rhythms' which help to balance up our sleep/ wake cycles. So position furniture near windows, choose window dressings that give you the most amount of light during the day, bounce natural light with the help of mirror sand get out into the garden if you have one. It will help you get a better night's sleep. Sleep is vital, so control light in the summer with blackouts and curtains.

5. Eco insulation

One of the areas in the home most susceptible to heat loss is through the windows – especially in the middle of winter - which is why I always recommend layering fabrics against the window. Honeycomb blinds are especially effective teamed with lined curtains. This double layering will help trap the heat inside and keeps the room nice and warm.

-Queen City Media 

credits: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/tips/a1230/how-to-make-your-home-happier-and-healthier/