Statistically, Blue Monday is the most depressing day of the year. Blue Monday typically falls on the third Monday of January, and is the day when we all realise we’re fed up of winter, our finances are in bad shape, pay day is still a way off and our new year’s resolutions are failing.

But at least we can make our homes a safe space. After undertaking a Happy Homes Survey, architecture firm RESI identified six ways to make your home a happy place…

1. A secure home

Peace of mind is invaluable in creating a happy dwelling, so why not invest in your home security? This could be a smart security camera, making simple additions such as outdoor lighting that will alert you if anyone is outside of your property, or simply upgrading your front door.

2. A nourishing home

A healthy body is a happy body, so ensure your home is a nourishing environment for you is important. One key element you can easily tackle is improving air quality. Keep your home well ventilated, whether that’s by opening a window from time to time, ensuring you’ve got good levels of extraction in the kitchen and bathroom, and getting yourself an air purifier to remove any nasties from the air. A good collection of house plants can also help purify the air – plus, biophilic design has been shown to boost wellbeing.

3. An adaptable home

When life throws challenges your way, your home needs to be adaptable enough to accommodate your needs. That may be as simple as having a spare room to accommodate guests, a new family member or working from home. If you don’t have a spare room, think about how you can make your existing space multifunctional with dual-purpose furniture – such as a sofa bed or coffee table that transforms into a dining table or desk – or room dividers to help you divvy up space.

4. A relaxing home

Room to relax at home is super important. That may be a quiet spot meditate, a room dedicated to crafting, enough space to roll out a yoga mat, or simply a cosy sofa for a boxset binge. Think about how you decorate these spaces – wellness blue is a big interior design trend for 2023, or read our guide to creating a calm, cocooning bedroom.

Plants come in again here: ‘Put simply, plants make us happy!’ says Claire Bishop, houseplant buyer at Dobbies. ‘Instantly transforming any space, they are not only a quick-and-easy decorating solution, but they bring us so much more than most home accessories.’

5. A place to connect

Often, each member of the family has their own busy schedule, but it’s important to spend time with each other, so create a space in your home that’s easy to connect in. Nowadays, the kitchen is the hub of the home, so keep your design open plan, with lots of seating options. It can be a great place for kids to do homework and for the family to catch up over meals.

6. A home that reflects you

Your environment is important to your state of mind, so expressing your personality in your home decor is important. From your favourite decorating schemes to simply displaying your nick knacks that mean something special to you, make your home feel like an extension of yourself. And if you haven’t already, check out dopamine decor – a huge interior design trend for 2023 centred around joy and colour.

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MORE ON HAPPY HOMES

• How the colours in your home can improve your well-being
• Dopamine décor: how to get the look
• Happy by Design: joyful interiors by Houzz editor Victoria Harrison