Three easy ways to cheer up

Cheerful, mood-lifting decor is something many of us are in desperate need of, and here’s how to get it right.

Declutter your space to help improve the mood.

All this time at home has had its benefits, from getting to know the neighbours and the neighbourhood better to more flexible working arrangements. But for many people, spending extended amounts of time on their own has resulted in poor mental health out comes. It may feel like a stretch, but a warm, uplifting space can help improve your mood, with the likes of US homewares designer Jonathan Adler extolling the virtues of anti-depressive interiors. Australian interior designer Karen Akers says there are a number of ways to design your space to give you a little spring in your step every day.

Decluttering can make a space feel bigger.

How can I create a space that is going to lift my mood and make me feel good?

The easiest place to start, says Karen, is by channelling your inner Marie Kondo and eliminating anything unnecessary, ugly or triggers bad memories from your space.

“Declutter to start with, so you have only the things that are essential and that you love in the room,” she says. Aside from making your space feel bigger, less clutter in the room will make it easier to keep clean, improve circulation and even allow for fun activities like dancing around to your favourite tunes.

Once you’ve created a bit of space, Karen says you should think about the things that spark positive feelings.

“Have your favourite things around you, like family photos, and put them all in the one space, on a table or hang them on the wall so that they have more impact,” she says. If you are struggling for motivation to keep your home organised, she says it can be useful to imagine that you are expecting visitors the next day. “Value yourself and act like you are having visitors,” says Karen. “Tidy the cushions and dishes before you go to bed each night, so you awake to a clean space for a clean head.”

Bold colour creates a warm mood.

Is there a colour combo that will cheer me up?

We all respond differently to colour so a hue that brightens one person’s day might be positively ghastly to another.

If you don’t have to please anyone but yourself, go with your gut and choose a colour that immediately appeals. For those more inclined to pay attention to trends, you can’t go past the natural tones of terracottas, olive greens and pumice to create a warm and comforting environment. Whatever colour you settle on, Karen suggests going big.

“Paint all walls, not just a feature wall, for a more comforting effect,” she says.

How the space feels will also depend on how much natural light is entering the room. Rain, hail or shine, Karen says it’s important to get into the habit of drawing the blinds or curtains each day to let in some life-affirming sunshine. On warmer days, an open window will provide a breath of fresh air.

“If there is not a lot of light in spaces, consider using mirrors on the walls that capture light to reflect into the spaces that are darker,” she says.

Extend your balcony space.

How can I extend that feeling on to my small balcony space?

Studies in recent years have confirmed what many of us have long known about the positive impacts of nature on our mood, so a private outdoor space is such a bonus, no matter what the size. Karen says you can extend the good vibes and blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces with the addition of indoor plants near the balcony. If possible, try to position your living space to face towards a view of the balcony or main window to keep you connected to the outside world and the changing natural environment. When you are outside, make it as appealing as possible so you want to be out there longer.

“Ensure your chairs and table are comfortable enough to want to spend adequate time out there,” says Karen. “This space is often visible from the apartment and should be treated as part of the apartment so carry the theme of colours and style throughout.”