5 Steps to a Happier Home

Thank you 1-800-Flowers for sponsoring this post. All opinions and thoughts are my own. #BetterWithPlants #MadeMeSmile

This year has put a new meaning on what it is to stay home. We have spent more time at home this year than any other year in probably the last couple decades! From stay at home orders to mandated closures, home has been our safe haven from the outside world. Today I’m going to share with you 5 steps to a happier home. These are very simple steps that anyone can do and will help you create a space of love and joy.

No. 1 – Keep your Home Clean

There is something about having a clean home and clean space. My fiancé and I have a weekend ritual where we clean every Sunday for 1.5 hours. This may sound like a huge time commitment but it really isn’t. This amount of time can be easily waisted watching a T.V. show or scrolling the gram.

Having a clean home helps me reduce anxiety and sets up the space for the next coming week. Cleaning has also been shown to improve your mood because of the satisfaction you feel once you complete the task.

Here is a list of things we clean every weekend:

• Dust
• Wipe (surfaces, light switches, door handles, counter tops)
• Vacuum
• Mop
• Tidy up things that are out of place (this can be done throughout the week and I also try to always put things back where they belong to reduce the amount of work for the weekend).

No. 2 Declutter

Again we are tackling the space and how it makes you feel. If your home is disorganized where nothing is in the right spot, it’s going to leave you feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. Take some time to put things back in place or if there isn’t a place for it, try to categorize it with like items and make a place for it.

Having an organized home can leave you less stressed and more at ease in your space.

No. 3 Add Plants

I don’t know if it’s a mystery or not but adding plants is a game changer for any space. I now have 11 plants, 2 outdoor but are indoor for the winter, and 8 indoor. And what’s crazy is that I acquired them all in 2020! IKR?? I officially became a plant parent this year and it’s been such a fun experience.

Plants not only bring life to a space but also bring a calm and happy vibe with them. They help purify the air, boost your mood, and just seeing the greenery in a space can calm you.

I just received the ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) from 1-800-Flowers’ The Plant Shop! They have a wide variety of indoor plants perfect for adding to any space you have that needs a little pick me up.

I chose the ZZ Plant because they are hardy and don’t require a ton of attention, which is right up my alley. If you’re in the same boat as me, I highly recommend this plant.

Some other plants that are easy for beginners are:

• Snake Plant
• Spider Plant
• Pothos (all varieties)
• Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)
• Succulents
• Cacti
• Lucky Bamboo

No. 4 Add some smell good scent

Scents can boost your mood and space. Light a candle or burn some insense to amplify your space. Burn calming scents like lavender, jasmine, rosemary or lemon. Smell can instantly create a stress free space and make it feel more inviting, a place you want to be.

You can also play around with different scents and the seasons . I love burning apple, cinnamon, and pumpkin smells to make my space a little cozier for the fall season.

No. 5 Conciousley Decorate

When you decorate, you don’t have to fill every single space with stuff. This tends to turn into clutter and then we are back to No. 2 Decluttering. Add meaningful pieces that make you feel a certain way. Whether that’s joy, happiness, calm, or just relaxing, add those to your space for aesthetically pleasing experience.

When you love how your home looks, smells, and feels, then that is when you have rooted your home in happiness. Remember to also fill it with positivity and kindness. Stuff doesn’t make home, home, people do.

I hope this post inspires you and I would love to hear your tips on how you make your home more happy!

xx//christine