Most people spend the majority of time at home and it should be a place you want to be. (ID 118492408 © Markus Mangold | Dreamstime.com)
design tips

Making Your Home Your Own

Mar 4, 2025 | 7:35 PM

Your home should feel like you, not a catalog. Whether it’s mixing old and new or finally finding a spot for that weird-but-awesome painting, trust your instincts.

There are ways to make your home feel more inviting and calmer, which can lead to a happier life overall. Having a space where you feel comfortable can lead to an increase in social confidence and willingness to share your home with family and friends. In addition to boosting your mood, decorating your home in your own style and personality will make a house or apartment feel more like a home.

There are simple things you can do to accomplish this without breaking the bank. For example, natural light has been found to improve sleep, ward off seasonal depression and aid in increasing Vitamin D levels.

Artificial lighting can also go a long way when it comes to feeling at ease in your space. You might want to consider using soft sources of light such as lamps or string/strip lights. There is a wide array of lighting to choose from with some even projecting colourful stars, galaxies and even Northern Lights across a room.

The colour of paint can affect your mood. For example, lighter tones can make you feel more relaxed in your surroundings.

Another tip to make your home feel more like an inviting space can include bringing the outside in. Natural colours such as a green and blue can be a way of doing that, or perhaps purchasing something as simple as a tabletop fountain for ambient noise. If your home has enough sunlight, plants can be a great way to feel a closer connection to nature.

Another way to inject personality is to have a room with a theme important to you. If reading books is one of your hobbies, an area dedicated to a book shelf and seating could be a good addition. If you are into music, perhaps creating a space where you listen to music and unwind after a long day.

People spend the majority of their day indoors and, specifically, at home. Your home should be a space where you should be able to escape the world and be comfortable. Making small changes can make it more into a place you want to be, as well as a place others can enjoy, too.

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com