Five tricks to a happier home

Tip No. 1: Color your way to happiness

Adding
color to any room is a drastic mood lifter, and it can be done pretty
quickly! Consider painting just one wall a lively color. A bright red,
a soothing green or even a vibrant yellow completely changes the feel,
and will really affect the vibe of a room. Paint is relatively
inexpensive and usually requires just a few hours to do an average wall
in most rooms.

Tip No. 2: Celebrate life

First
of all, think Flower Power! Fresh flowers are very easy to get at your
local grocery market, and they make any room seem more alive. Plants
have the same positive effect. There are plenty of types that don't
need direct light, and will give your house a sense of energy all year
round. Another way to celebrate life is to surround yourself with
images of friends and family. Don't keep your photos put away in albums
or in your computer. Put them up on the walls to remind yourself of
your favorite times and your favorite people.

Tip No. 3: Let there be light

The
more points of light in any room, the better. Especially as the days
are getting shorter, having warm lighting will help you feel more
energized and alive through the winter months. Overhead lighting can be
augmented by lamps in several places throughout a room. In your
bedroom, put a lamp on either side of your bed. Installing dimmers is
also a simple and inexpensive way to make the mood of a room easy to
alter. At dimmers.net, for example, you can get a dimmer for just $17.75.

Tip No. 4: Get comfortable

You
begin and end almost every day in your bedroom, so make the room an
oasis! Have proper bedding and pillows. You will feel well rested, and
it will be easier to get up in the morning. Keep clutter to a minimum
in your bedroom, and remove anything distracting that will interfere
with your sleep. Associate your bedroom with a tranquil, restful
escape, not just a room where you get some shut-eye. Upgrade your
pillows and bedding at bedbathandbeyond.com.