Uplifting Home-Life

By Nicole Hahn

Burbank High School

As the whole world has shut down in 2020, many of us find ourselves trapped in our bedrooms all day. Whether completing online classes or working at home, our living space is the capacity that we are limited to, whether we like it or not. As a matter of fact, the space that we live in has a larger impact on our well-being than we realize. If you have been feeling quite dull lately, perhaps it’s time to freshen up your living space or put up some new decorations.

Carolyn Dicarlo, a designer and architect, observes that a cluttered space can simply cause one to subconsciously feel cluttered as well. Dicarlo mentions that“spaces absolutely affect people’s moods”, reflecting on how clean living-space can manifest into a tranquil state of mind. The less visual stimulus, the better. By organizing excess objects into a bookshelf or container, distractions are eliminated and calmness is attained. However, upgrading your living space is not limited to organization and cleaning. By placing objects that spark joy in visible areas of the room such as a small plant or a picture of a loved one, a jubilant wave of energy could be incorporated into your daily quarantined life.

Color scheme and choice of decoration also have great psychological impacts on the sentiments that radiate from a living space. Colors that match the ideal mood of a room are recommended for optimal productivity. For example, green brings restfulness and white encourages a spacious room along with tranquility. If your room feels dreary and you are looking for a new project to busy yourself with, painting your room is a great activity that has a worthwhile result. You will be left with a new living-space and an uplift in emotional health due to the psychological impact of color schemes. Quarantine has felt timeless to many and holidays sometimes pass without knowledge. A considerable way to spice up a living-space and to bring some joy amidst the chaos would be to put up seasonal decorations in your room. Perhaps investing in a small Christmas tree would spark the holiday spirit during these tough times.

With the vast amount of time on our hands as quarantined humans, a conceivable choice would be to polish up your living space, whether it is the simple decluttering of a desk or a new paint job. Decorating and investing in your interior is a special way to bring tranquility or excitement to the peaceful space that we call home.