BY Pallavi Pinakin

Since the beginning of 2020, many of us have spent more time at home than ever before. Did you feel relaxed, calm and joyous for the most part? Or did you feel oppressed, trapped and melancholic? Interior design plays a surprisingly major role in determining your mood and state of mind. Here’s how you can create a positive vibe at home… and make it a happy place.

NATURAL LIGHT While a dark and gloomy atmosphere can make you feel listless and pessimistic, sunlight boosts your mood. Brighten your space by accentuating natural light wherever possible and hang up lightweight sheer curtains that allow sunlight to flow in during the day.

If you have small windows, place mirrors across from them to bounce the sun’s rays around the room and create the illusion of more light. For nighttime cosiness, try lots of eye level lighting.

NATURE’S GIFTS Bring the revitalising energy of the garden into your home with a collection of potted plants. These can make you feel closer to nature even when you’re indoors all day. You get bonus points for varieties that clean the air, and those that can be used when cooking such as herbs and Aloe vera.

Nature inspired fragrances offer another route to happiness. Light candles or essential oil diffusers to fill your home with fragrances such lavender, jasmine, pine, citrus and cinnamon, which uplift your spirits.

COLOUR GUIDE A powerful tool in your happiness kit is colour. When it comes to walls, warm white or creamy ivory are better than stark white, because they reflect light better and create a welcoming ambience. To this neutral backdrop, you can add pops of vibrant or calming colours depending on the room.

High-energy yellow and pink lift your mood while relaxing shades of blue and green create a calming effect. There’s no need to paint the entire room in your chosen colour as this can be rather overwhelming. An accent wall, cushions, rugs, lamps, furniture and curtains are all good ways to incorporate happy hues.

LESS IS MORE A neutral backdrop is also perfect for highlighting your favourite artwork, personal collections and prized memoirs – objects that inspire love, gratitude and joy.

Get rid of the clutter including pieces that you’ve outgrown, items you bought only because they were on sale etc. Less is more… so focus on fewer but more meaningful things that make you smile every time you see them.