Do you long for change? Perhaps coming home has become just the end of the day rather than a retreat into your own private oasis. Changing a room or even just a key item of furniture (like updating an old sofa) can make all the difference to your mental and physical wellbeing.
For over 6,000 years the Chinese have taken inspiration from the philosophical works of I Ching and the ingenious practice of Feng Shui. These traditional skills are used to create harmonious living spaces. Flattering all the senses, the idea of structuring and streamlining creates a sense of being part of your home rather than just a person within it. Practical solutions for storage are key ideas and with the overall needs of each family at the heart of the process, a sensible but deeply personal living space is created.
Luckily, you don’t need an expert in ancient Chinese to make your home one you’ll long to come home to day after day, the key is to look at what you can do and not what you feel is unobtainable.
You might not be able to afford the big house in the country that you desire but you can change your display cabinets to replicate the solid wood look of the country home. Changing key items makes a big difference to how you feel and think.
Another key to happiness at home is to de-clutter. Many offices have a clear desk policy and the idea is based on the notion that if your working area is clear of unnecessary objects then your mind will be free to think objectively.
This also works at home. How stressful is it to have a spare room in your house that is full of things you never use? It feels similar to the overflowing in- tray at work that never seems to get completely emptied. Maybe it is time to make a concerted effort to change the way you live.
You could maximise your energy by creating an area or room just for relaxing and recovering from the stresses of daily life. One idea would be to enhance your once cluttered spare room with a high quality sofa bed for guests, or turn it into an office or playroom for the kids.
A new look in your home and a good spring clean energises you in the same way as a new haircut or outfit can uplift you. You are unlikely to change your home on such a regular basis but you can keep updating and enhancing your living space with items that reflect your personality and make you feel happy and relaxed.
If your home decorating skills are restricted by a busy life, limited funds or lack of ability you can still change your home to have a whole new look simply by rearranging the furniture. You’ll be amazed at the difference in your bedroom if you change the direction the bed faces, add a new chair and maybe hang a new mirror or pictures on the wall.
Creating a new look can be an exciting process. Look around for current trends in contemporary interior design, get creative with colour schemes that match your moods and remember to accessorise with atmospheric items such as candles, lamps, rugs and vases.
Where you live is who you are. Make it personal. A new look is the start of a free-thinking new you. Say goodbye to clutter and chaos and hello to vibrant and happy thinking.