Despite the fact that most work, social, and personal obligations are enjoyable and enjoyable, there is nothing better than flexing back and calming yourself in the luxury of your stress-free home. Your home should be a vital place of relaxation, not a hotspot for booby traps. We are all aware that life has its own set of regular stresses, so these 5 quick and cool home tips will help you relax more easily and turn your home into a stress-free zone:

1. Find a space and change the layout

Begin by examining the layout of your space. Is its purpose still served? Could reposition a few key pieces of furniture improve the layout? A few deliberate changes can alleviate stress by improving the functionality and flow of your space.

2. Personalize your space

Add a few favorite items that speak to you and make you smile.  Think about what you would pack if you could only pack one suitcase of your favorite objects. What would they be?  Then choose three or four of these items to display.

3. Take Inventory

Remove items from the space that you no longer want or need and donate them to someone in need. (Think about donating to Families for Families, an organization we support!)

Giving to charities, according to the National Institutes of Health, activates brain regions associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust, resulting in a “warm glow” effect.

4. Add super soft fabrics

Research has proven that pieces upholstered with soft fabrics help us to feel not only physically warmer but better prepared for warm interactions with others.

5. Add color and pattern

Using light purples, blues, and greens can have healing and calming effects, as well as reduce stress. Colors that are more saturated, such as reds, oranges, and yellows, are stimulating and raise blood pressure. There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” formula. Color has a very personal effect on us. Before using certain colors in your space, it’s important to understand how you react to them (and which colors may even trigger certain memories).

We may be unknowingly living in homes that contribute to stress in our lives, whether it’s clutter, a floor plan that doesn’t work for you, or interiors that just don’t resonate. It’s easy to let our homes fall by the wayside as we get caught up in our daily obligations. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way if you think about it, plan ahead of time, and work with a design professional.