You just can't overestimate the effect your home can have on your mood. After all, it's where you try to relax after work, and to get jazzed up for a new day. But some surprising things in it might actually be bringing you down, without your realizing it.
Fortunately, a few quick fixes can reset your design—and your mood. You just have to know how to ID the problem spots. Ditch these home decor downers and turn your home into an invigorating space where you can really recharge.
1. A drab color palette
Neutrals can be sleek. But unless you've outfitted your apartment with all the trappings of a Kardashian (and let's be honest—you probably wouldn't be reading this if you had), it's time for a change.
"I honestly can't think of two colors that are more depressing," says Chicago designer Summer Thornton. "A brown sofa with beige walls and a taupe chair is so bland and boring."
Add a pop of color, whether it's an accent wall or a few throw pillows in a shade you love, to breathe some life into a room.
2. Furniture and accessories you bought in college
We hate to tell you, but that quilt you so industriously sewed from your collection of Weezer T-shirts isn't doing anything for your living room, and it's keeping you mentally stuck in the past. Ditch it (and your lava lamp) in favor of a luxe, textured throw that will remind you that hey, you're an adult now!
This logic also applies to your home's larger pieces.
"So many people hold on to the furniture they bought in college or shortly afterwards, and it holds them back from moving forward design-wise," says designer Maize Jacobs-Brichford of the Brynn Olson Design Groupin Chicago. "It can be hard to let go of those first investment pieces, but young people tend to go trendy and not durable, so those pieces date themselves in more ways than one."
3. Remnants of a previous relationship
Yes, you lusted after that china set when you registered for it as a wedding gift, but now that the marriage has fallen apart, it's best to invest in something that you can use to create happier memories.
"I tell clients that if they are even considering letting go of something, then it's time to do so," says interior designer Jaimee Rose of Jaimee Rose Interiors in Phoenix. "Your subconscious knows."
4. An excess of family keepsakes
Heirlooms and other reminders of family are great, but too many of them can take over your home, stifling your expression of your own personality. Pare down your collection to your absolute favorites and feature those prominently throughout your space.
"I had a client last year who had tons of pictures in cheap frames," says San Diego designer Christina Hoffmann. "It made all the difference to choose five favorites, edit them to black-and-white, and hang them in her office. Suddenly, we noticed how gorgeous those photos were, instead of how much stuff she had."
This applies to mementos of the dearly departed, as well. Constantly confronting those reminders day in and day out can exhaust you emotionally.
"If you're having trouble emotionally putting things away, rotate them throughout the year," Hoffman says. "Choose holiday memories, spring memories, summer and autumn, then swap them out every three months. It keeps it fresh and keeps your guilt and sadness at bay."
5. The light fixtures that came with your home
Lighting is fairly easy to change and can make a huge difference in a room's energy, but getting new fixtures is a big hang-up for a lot of homeowners, Jacobs-Brichford says.
"So many people don't want to upgrade their lighting because it was part of what they originally paid for, but most developers are not also designers, and they can also make lighting mistakes," she says.
6. Standard-issue pillows
"I will say that if I find those free pillows that come with a sofa (you know, they match the sofa fabric), I will tuck them under my arm and run toward the trash like a quarterback," Rose says.
Instantly brighten your space with some fresh pillows. You don't have to drain your wallet, either. A discount store such as Home Goods has a great selection, or you can even try making your own with some beautiful fabric scraps.
7. Dead plants
Fresh plants or cut flowers bring a refreshing touch of nature indoors—but those withered miniature roses, not so much. If you can't keep plants alive, opt for something you know can survive a black thumb. You can even try for orchids (which Hoffmann recommends watering with just a single ice cube—seriously!—once a week). If real plants just aren't your thing, no worries; try these palm fronds from Michael's in a fun vase.
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