How to boost your mood with a style lift.

By emily.bailey

Thursday, April 9, 2020

How to boost your mood with a style lift | Schlage

As we spend more time at home, we may find ourselves looking around and imagining what our house could be. Here are four questions to ask yourself when you’re trying to decide how to redo a room.

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As we spend more time at home, we may find ourselves looking around and imagining what our house could be. Is cabin fever giving you the itch to redecorate? Are you just noticing some things that look “off”? Here are four questions to ask yourself when you’re trying to decide how to redo a room.

Traditional living room with colorful rug.

1. How do you want to use the room?

The purpose of most rooms is usually flexible. You might be using a space as a living room, but could it be a playroom or a dining room instead? What about the spare bedroom? If you rarely have guests, does it make more sense for your lifestyle to turn it into an office, meditation room or home gym? Figure out what you want and what works best for your family, then you can start working out the details to make it happen.

If you can’t change the room’s function – bathrooms and kitchens are likely to remain what they are – then brainstorm ways you could make them work better for you. Is open countertop space more valuable to you than the collection of small appliances sitting there now? If so, what would it take to declutter? More cabinet space? A better pantry? A heavy-duty garbage bag?

2. What feeling do you want your room to inspire?

You can use your own personal style and the room’s purpose to guide you in setting a mood. Take that new meditation room you’re building in your mind, for example. You’ll want a space that inspires calm and relaxation. A new playroom for the kids might be more energetic and whimsical. What does “feeling at home” feel like to you?

3. What colors will help you create that feeling?

For a relaxing room – that meditation area or your bedroom, for instance – try blues and purples. Purple might not be the obvious first choice, but shades of lilac are thought to inspire peace. Similarly, brown promotes a sense of security and calm, perhaps because of its link to nature and the idea of being grounded.

For something with a little more pizzazz, look to yellow to create feelings of happiness and optimism. Many baby nurseries are painted yellow, not just because it’s gender neutral, but also because it can boost creativity. Bright green, with its tie to nature, is all about energy and harmony.

Don’t think that those colors have to go on the wall, either. You might incorporate your moody hues in the form of fabrics like curtains, rugs or bed comforters, furniture, lamps or other accessories.

4. What items will help you create that feeling?

Let psychology guide you here as well. Going back to that meditation room, candles with relaxing scents can help set the mood. So can photos of beaches or other nature scenes. If photos of your family make you feel at peace, surround yourself with those. Choose whatever plants and flowers, art or other tchotchkes that give you the vibe you want.

Don’t forget about your other senses. Sight is the easy one, and those scented candles will help. Consider smart speakers to play your favorite music and textiles that will scintillate your sense of touch as well.

If you need some inspiration for your renovation plan, try the Schlage blog. You’ll find tons of design resources and DIY tips to spark your imagination. We’re also on Pinterest.