Most of our time is spent in our homes, from relaxing and sleeping to eating and cleaning. It’s no surprise then, that our homes have immense power to shape us and influence our mood. Just as a cluttered home can bring a sense of chaos, so can a carefully-curated home fill us with nostalgia and joy.
Bringing joy into your home can be anything from bringing in a piece of art that brings back memories, to a practice that helps you slow down. We talked with five designers to find out what brings them joy in their homes, some of which might inspire you in your own home.
Finishing Touches in the Bedroom
Adding a touch of something special can go a long way in the bedroom. These home experts took advantage of their bedroom walls and made them their own.
“One of my most joyful pieces are my collection of wall baskets. These handwoven pieces fill up the wall above my bed in such a beautiful and impactful way. The natural texture and neutral colors make these baskets extremely versatile and a great way to fill up a large open wall!” says Danielle Chiprut, founder and interior designer at Danielle Rose Design Co.
“The wallpaper in my bedroom brings me a massive amount of joy,” says Michelle Gage, founder and creative director at Michelle Gage Interior Design. “It’s wall to wall and a very large room, so it makes a big statement.”
Repurposing Furniture
When it comes to finding joy in your home, you don’t need to head to the store to find it. Kelsey Haywood, founder of haywoodmade, likes to shop her own home first.
“[Something] that brings me joy is sitting on the bench we have at the end of our bed,” Haywood says. “It used to be in our entry and, as I do with client’s homes, I shopped my own house for a way to switch things up. It just feels like it belongs better in our primary. Sometimes that overlooked piece of furniture can serve a greater purpose elsewhere!”
Lots of Lighting
Outdoor light can easily affect our mood and the way we view spaces around us, so it’s no surprise that indoor light can do the same.
“When building our home, I made sure that we would have adequate natural lighting throughout the day,” says Cortney McClure, founder and interior designer at Cortney McClure Design. “I love lamplight in the evening, but natural lighting during the day brings me joy and comfort in a different way than artificial light.”
