4 Science-Backed Ways To Make Your Home Happier This Year

Lindsay T. Graham, Ph.D., at U.C. Berkeley's Center for the Built Environment is one academic researching why our homes have such an impact on us, and how we can design them to be as supportive as possible. Here, the personality and social psychologist shares four ways we can all get happy homes down to a science in the new year.

With this in mind, she recommends letting as much daylight into your space as possible or finding other ways to bring the outdoors in. There are countless ways to add touches of nature to your home, she tells mbg, so do whatever feels authentic and fun to you—whether it's starting a houseplant collection, showcasing natural materials, or designing with the color palette of your favorite landscape.

As for some other interesting tidbits from the Modsy Interior Wellness Report: Rustic, contemporary, and Mediterranean were the styles that made people feel their happiest at home. Color also played a big role in how they perceived their spaces, with violet/purple, yellow, black, and green topping the happiness charts. Interestingly enough, the report notes that purple and yellow were not popular color choices—but the few people who did use them rated them very highly. This goes to show that using palettes that personally appeal to you, unconventional as they may be, can make your home feel more inviting.

When designing your space for the year ahead, she recommends first getting clear on your goals: What you want to bring into your life, and what you're ready to let go of. From there, "think about what you can introduce—or eliminate—from your spaces to help support those goals," Graham says. For example, she says, someone who is craving more community can focus on optimizing spaces where guests can gather, arranging furniture so it cultivates conversation. Those who want to feel more joy can strategically place colors that make them happy in areas where they spend a lot of time. And anyone looking to eat more healthily can arrange their pantry so the most nutritious food is the easiest to access.

If you do end up clearing anything out in the process, she says to look for ways to recycle, upcycle, or reuse it first.

These four principles are just the starting point for your happy home—not the finish line. "At the end of the day," Graham points out, "none of our spaces are ever going to be 'perfect'—nor will they ever be totally 'done'. And they shouldn't be." Continuing to hone, refine, and switch up your space will lead to a home that's just as dynamic and lively as you are.