Your living environment can do a lot to affect your mood. Leaving a dirty house in the morning can translate to a bad day and getting home tired, to an environment you do not like, can depress you. Here are ten things you can do to begin to enjoy your living space this year.

DECLUTTER! Remove everything you have not used in over a year. Go through your kitchen and throw out things that have outlived their lifespan. Give away clothes you haven’t worn in a year. Clear the things under your bed. Put everything in its place.

DE-STRESS! Remove the things that do not add to your life or that are in the wrong place. Use rooms for what they should be used for. Take the TV and laptop out of your bedroom. Remove electronics and phones from the dining room.

LIGHT IS IMPORTANT! Light can change a room or house from dull and dreary to energetic and refreshing, especially when the sun is out. Open the curtains and windows; let fresh air in! It’s healthier anyway! When selecting a home, choose places with large windows that let in adequate sunlight and air.

BRIGHTER = BETTER. Use sealed, bright-coloured trash cans. That way, looking at the trash is not so depressing, and the trash can will fit easier into any corner of the room. It’s very frustrating to walk into a room after a long day and be greeted by grimy paper towels sticking out of a waste paper basket or kitchen dustbin. Using a sealed trash can that is a beautiful colour can also make taking out the trash a little more fun. Be sure to use garbage bags within the cans, for easier cleaning and less messiness. Your laundry basket, vacuum cleaner, dustpan and brooms, mop and bucket, and other “task items” are best purchased in colours you love so that chores are not so dreary.

FLOWERY = FRESH FUN. Flowers can brighten up the least-expected areas of your house. Put them in the bathroom, on the kitchen window sill, on your coffee or dining table, or in the hallway to brighten up these areas.

CANDLES = COSY. If you’re more about the cosy, homely feeling, you can use candles. A bathroom can instantly be changed from drab to inviting just by lighting up candles that have been placed at strategic points.

DECORATIONS = DIFFERENCE. You can actually change the feel of a room by the way you decorate it. Try changing things around – go with a different theme or colour and see how that works for you. Sometimes frustration is just a desire for a slight change.

ARRANGEMENT = AMBIENCE. Wires all over the floor, and furniture in high-traffic areas of your home or room can cause people to trip and fall, which could mean anything from mild irritation to 911 emergencies. Change furniture around, creating different shapes. Switch the TV location. Remove some items or add a few. You’ll be surprised how new the room feels.

CLEANLINESS = CLARITY. You will function better in a clean room. Get rid of dirt and grime, schedule a weekly cleaning time and dust often to prevent dust and allergens piling up in your home.

PRAYER = POWER. Last but not least, designate a special section or room of your house specifically for prayer. Let it be a sacred place where you meet God. It does not have to be a large space – God, after all, dwells within you. This prayer closet or prayer spot can make your prayers special and keep you looking forward to those specific times when you meet the Lord at “your place.” Friendships and intimacy are built by having treasured moments together. God is always with us, but sometimes on a hard day, saying “Lord, I’m coming to the corner” or “Let’s talk about this at our spot” can give you an increased sense of closeness with Him. In my house, it has even become a proper noun: The Closet.

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