With Christmas now behind us and the January blues setting in, many people are seeking simple and effective ways to lift their mood. As we spend more time indoors during the colder months, the home naturally becomes the perfect place to reintroduce a sense of joy and comfort.
To help people create a more uplifting space, Swift Blinds Direct has researched the interior décor techniques that are scientifically proven to boost your mood, and interior expert Kate O’Brien shares her expert advice on how to weave these feel-good elements into your own space.
- Declutter and deep-clean
The first step to achieving a space that feels positive and inviting is to declutter. Research consistently links clutter and mess to negative emotions such as stress, confusion, and irritability– making it harder to focus and complete tasks or projects.1
Kate explains: “To regain control of your environment and invite happiness into the home, start with a thorough declutter and deep clean of the home. Removing unwanted items makes it easier to stay tidy and organised throughout the year, and it also streamlines your regular cleaning routine.
“Sort belongings into keep, donate, and discard piles to maintain an organised process. Always clean surfaces and cupboards before putting items back in their place, to ensure you’ve carried out a thorough clean. Although decluttering seems like a daunting task at first, tackling it room by room will make it feel more manageable–and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as each space is completed.”
- Maximise natural light
Natural light plays a vital role in our well-being, with a growing body of research highlighting its powerful mood-boosting effects.2 Although the shorter days of winter can make it harder to get the light we need, a few smart adjustments to your window treatments can help your home make the most of every hour of daylight.
Kate adds: “Getting enough natural light at home becomes especially important during the darker winter months, and the way you frame your windows can make a real difference. In smaller rooms, sheer curtains are a smart choice, allowing daylight to filter through even when the fabric can’t be fully drawn back. Light colours and natural fabrics also help brighten the space, creating a softer, more open feel.
“Another simple way to boost brightness is to hang a mirror on the wall beside the window. This bounces light around the room, amplifying what’s already there and making the space feel lighter and more inviting.”
- Inject a pop of colour
As we look for simple ways to lift our spirits at home, colour is emerging as one of the most powerful tools we have. Over a quarter of people (77%) say that the shades they surround themselves with can directly influence their mood, and sky blue stands out as a favourite for creating an uplifting, feel-good interior.3
Kate says: “The colours we bring into our homes have a powerful influence on how we feel. While neutral schemes can create a sense of calm, they often fall short of delivering much-needed joy in the winter months. The beauty of decorating with colour is its flexibility; you can be bold or introduce small touches, whether through paint, soft furnishings, or artwork. Shades like sky blue, soft greens, and buttery yellows are well-known mood boosters, but ultimately, the most important choice is selecting a colour that genuinely sparks joy for you.”
- Create a sensory experience with scent
Scent influences around 75% of daily emotional responses, with our sense of smell directly connected to the brain’s limbic centre – the hub for emotion and memory.4 Because this one sensory cue has such a powerful impact on how we feel, using fragrance intentionally throughout the home becomes an effortless way to elevate mood and create a more comforting atmosphere.
Kate comments: “As memory is so closely tied to scent, choosing the right fragrance for your home becomes a deeply personal decision – what lifts one person’s mood may not work for another. If you’re unsure where to start, citrus and earthy notes are brilliant for boosting focus, while floral and herbal scents tend to feel calming and refreshing. And the way you introduce fragrance is just as flexible, whether you prefer candles, reed diffusers, or a quick spritz from a room spray.”
- Connect with plants and flowers
While you might not consider yourself an experienced plant parent just yet, psychological research shows that simply being around indoor plants can help reduce stress and sympathetic nervous system activity in young adults.5 Other studies suggest that adding greenery to your surroundings could boost concentration levels by as much as 20%, making plants a small change with a surprisingly big impact.6
Kate says: “Decorating with plants and flowers is not only an easy way to add colour and personality to your home, but also a powerful mood booster – especially during those dreary winter months. You might keep it simple with a soft pastel bouquet on the dining table or go all in with trailing greenery in every corner. However much you choose to incorporate, even a small touch of nature can make a noticeable difference to your day-to-day mood.”
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