The Art of Living: How to design for happiness

Make your space a happy one no matter the season with these 7 interior design tips guaranteed to bring the sunshine into your heart, from your home outward. Seasonal depression, who? We don’t know her!

1. Create special spaces

Fall and winter are a beautiful invitation to hibernate a bit, to cozy up into comfortable corners to read, be mindful, do yoga, sip tea, take a bath. With that in mind, use decor to create nooks in your home that feel like special little places to chill: just unite 2 or 3 of your favourite art prints or photographs, a pretty vase, a meaningful object or 2, a throw, and voilà: happy place.

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2. Build a memory wall

Decor objects that are cool and trendy are one thing, but nothing resonates joy more than things that spark sweet memories. Gather meaningful objects, trinkets and art prints together on a wall or shelving unit that you pass by everyday.

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3. Layer lighting

To avoid the rude awakening of harsh overhead lighting on dark mornings, appoint your space with table lamps that emanate warm, cozy light that adds charm all day, even once the sunshine pours in. Whether it’s sunny or not, your space — and your heart! — will be beautifully illuminated.

4. Pick cheerful colours

Certain colours have been associated with positive emotions, like orange (vitality and energy), yellow (cheerfulness and hope), purple (opulence), pink (love and compassion) and green (freshness). Whether in your wall colours, art prints or frames (did you know we have a range of coloured frames?), choose one main colour family and add pops of contrast.

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5. Always have flowers

Fresh flowers do something to the brain: they represent life, joy, beauty, colour. Even if you’re an accomplished plant mamma, treat yourself to a weekly bouquet of fresh cut flowers to bring in variety, a colour blast, and the scent of spring.

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6. Celebrate with scent

Speaking of scent, it’s important to stimulate all the senses that tend to go dormant in winter, so pick a favourite candle or incense and make a ritual of lighting it every day. It’s a small act of self-care and well-deserved indulgence.

7. Make every space count

You might not think of your shelving unit, your work desk or your bathroom as prime locations for interior design, but think again: happy spaces can be everywhere in the home. Create beauty and hang art that means something to you everywhere you can.

DESIGN FOR HAPPINESS