Creating a happy home is about more than just decor. It's about the energy and good vibes you feel when you walk through the door. It's where your family eats and sleeps, where you entertain your friends and the place you are your most authentic self. 

Here are some practical tips for creating a happy home that feels welcoming, nurturing and comfortable……even in hard times.

1. PLAY MUSIC
The first thing that comes to mind for me when thinking about how to create a happy home is music. Whether, I'm cleaning or cooking, visiting with friends or having a dance party with the kids, I LOVE listening to music. It totally gets me in a high vibe mood that makes me feel happy. Here are a few of my favourite playlists to vibe to:

Morning Routine
Work
Dinner Party
Hanging Out
Cottage
Feeling Nostalgic
Old School Dance Party

2. CREATE A WELCOMING ENTRY
The first thing you see when you arrive at home should be inviting and feel safe. An entry is a perfect place to start making small design changes that will have a big impact on your mood. Feature a beautiful console table, a plant, flowers, art or decor and keep in mind storage for items like shoes, keys and bags so that clutter isn't the first thing that greets you when you walk in. The idea is to curate your entry space with items that are functional, beautiful and make you happy.

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3. CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER
A messy home can cause stress and make you feel overwhelmed. Putting things away will give you a sense of control of your life, even if it’s just for a little while. Take a look at the things that are cluttering up your home and ask yourself what it’s doing there and if it has a purpose. If the answer is no, then toss it out, sell it or donate it to someone in need. If the answer is yes, find a more permanent spot for the item so that your home is more organized.

4. USE COLOUR TO CREATE A DESIRED FEELING
The colours you choose for your home can have a great impact on your mood and therefore it's important to choose them carefully. Generally speaking, warm colours often have an uplifting effect and can be used to create a sense of coziness in a room, while cool colours tend to feel more calm and relaxing. Here's a quick reference to help you determine which colours you should decorate your home with.

1. Use blue and green to create calm and peacefulness

2. Use yellow to create fun and happiness

3. Use red and orange to create energy and engagement

4. Use white and gray to create a modern, clean feeling

Design: Orangetree Interiors | Photography: Simply Curate Co 

5. ADD LIFE WITH PLANTS
Whether it’s a bouquet of fresh flowers or a beautiful planter with a favorite plant inside, bringing nature into your home can make it feel more happy and alive. You can even try growing your own herbs for cooking or succulents if you don’t have the best green thumb. Plants also have health benefits including improving air quality, reducing stress and increasing productivity and creativity.

Design: Orangetree Interiors | Photography: Simply Curate Co

6. CREATE COMFORT WITH PERSONAL ITEMS
To help foster that feeling of peace and serenity in your home, it's important to try to create a space that reflects your personality. From photos of family members and friends to treasured artifacts from past trips, displaying items that remind you of happy memories can go a long way toward creating a happy home.

Design: Orangetree Interiors | Photography: Simply Curate Co

7. INCORPORATE MOTIVATIONAL ART
Motivational art is a great way to keep you in the right mindset. The right piece of art can kickstart your day and really set the tone for your mood and attitude. The art you choose should make you feel good and doesn't necessarily have to be an image. It could be a child’s scribble, a quote or song lyric that's meaningful to you. Be creative.

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8. APPEAL TO THE SENSES
Scent is another great way to create a happy home. Using candles or other scented items in your home can help create a vibe that makes you feel relaxed and at ease. I like to use essential oils from Wholesale Botanics . This allows me to mix and match scents to create something unique which is especially fun around the holidays.

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9. USE LAYERED LIGHTING TO CREATE AMBIANCE
One of my favourite ways to create ambiance in a home is with lighting. The idea is to ensure that there are several different sources of light in every room. For example, if a room only has one ceiling light, consider adding dimmable lights for performing tasks and lamps, sconces or candles to create the ambiance your desire in your home.

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10. LET THE SUNSHINE IN
It’s amazing what a difference natural light can make in your home. Studies have shown that people who are exposed to more natural light tend to be happier and more productive than those who aren’t. Choose window coverings that can be pulled right away from the window when fully open. Roller shades, blinds and drapes are perfect for taking advantage of as much natural light as possible.

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11. BE PRESENT
One of the easiest ways to create a happy home is by being fully present. This means being mindful of the way you interact with your phone and other devices when at home. It's easy to fall into a scroll hole when relaxing at home, but it's important to put devices down and give full attention to whatever you're doing with your family. Touch is also super important for feeling loved/happy, so make sure to be affectionate with your loved ones.

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12. CREATE EXPERIENCES
Creating experiences is one of the best ways to create a happy home. You can do this by hosting dinner parties, BBQs or game nights to name just a few. Experiences are great because they are living memories that will be cherished forever while also making your home a happier place to be.

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13. ESTABLISH FAMILY RITUALS
Another great way to create a happy home is to establish family rituals. These may include daily habits such as eating dinner together as a family or weekly traditions such as taco Tuesday, Friday movie night or Sunday brunch. Family rituals help strengthen the bond between parents and children and contribute to the overall sense of well-being in a home.

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14. FIND WAYS TO LAUGH
Laughing is a great way to feel happy in your home. Watch funny movies or shows on TV, play games that make you laugh or simply find time to tell stories and joke with family and friends. Laughter is contagious so when you hear the sound of others laughing you'll find yourself laughing as well.

Some of our favourite games to play are:

Kids Against Humanity
Cranium
Taboo

15. DON’T OVERWORK YOURSELF (I need to implement this better myself!)
Even though many of us work from home now, it's important not to work too much. Make an effort to separate the different parts of your life. It will help you maintain a healthier balance in your life, thus making your home life happier.

Design: Orangetree Interiors | Photography: Simply Curate Co

16. GET YOUR REST
It's impossible to feel happy if you're exhausted all of the time. Make sure that you're getting enough sleep every night. When you're well-rested, you're more likely to be in better spirits throughout the day.

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17. MAKE YOUR BED
Adm. McRaven said, "As a Navy SEAL, I learned the value of making my bed every morning. It was part of the routine that helped me stay focused and prepared for anything that might happen during the day. Making my bed first thing in the morning is something small I can do each day to set myself up for success, and it carries over into other parts of my life." (Noted. I will work on this. :)

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18. ESTABLISH A MEDITATION SPACE
A happy home is a place where you can express yourself freely and feel comfortable in your own skin. Achieving this level of comfort takes effort and practice, but establishing a meditation space in your home can certainly help. Meditation reduces stress and anxiety and increases focus and mental clarity, which improves your overall quality of life. Create a dedicated meditation space in your home. It doesn't need to be large - even a corner will do.

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19. PRACTICE GRATITUDE
Start a gratitude practice as part of your daily routine. You can make this as simple or complex as you want. Keep it simple by making a point to stop at the door each evening, then recount three things you're grateful for about your day or about your life in general. Or make it more complex by keeping a gratitude journal or incorporating gratitude into your morning meditation practice. When you do this regularly, over time, gratitude will seep into every area of your life.

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20. STOP COMPARING YOUR HOME TO OTHERS
Comparison is the thief of joy. When you compare your home to others, it creates a sense of inadequacy. Your home isn't a magazine ad, it's real life. Your home should be a reflection of who you are as a person, and it should make you feel good when you come home each day. Be intentional about creating a space that makes you happy.

It's been said that the home is where the heart is. Obviously, this isn't just about aesthetics or design. A home is a place where you come to to feel safe and loved, no matter what challenges may be waiting for you elsewhere in life. To me, a true happy home epitomizes comfort, safety, love and warmth.  I hope you these insights help you to create a happy home that feels like it was made just for you.