11 ways your home is secretly making you miserable and why you need to rethink those scented candles and supersized sofa

MOST of us believe our home environment should help us feel more positive about life, but what if our decor and furnishing choices are actually making us miserable?

Interior designer Tammy Lane says the way we decorate has a big impact on mental health.

“Your home should feel calm and relaxed, but this depends on everything from colours to furnishings,” she says.

“The moment you walk through the front door, you should feel happy.”

From furniture fails to clashing colours and mirror no-nos, Georgia Trevitt reveals the mistakes that could be making you sad . . . 

DITCH BRIGHT GREEN

“COLOUR affects your mood, so it’s important to pick the right ones,” says Tammy.

“Neon green and yellow can make you feel sick because of how bright they are. That’s why you wouldn’t see them in a hospital.”

Not all greens are bad, though. “Sage and olive can be calming, especially in living rooms and bedrooms.”

And if you have a north-facing living room, a darker colour can boost your mood.

Tammy says: “If you don’t get much light anyway, go for something like dark navy.

“Paired with lamps, it can create a cosy, happy environment.”

SAY NO TO SPOTLIGHTS

WE should be using soft lights in the rooms we relax in, such as our living rooms and bedrooms.

“People tend to go for spotlights in these rooms, but it’s good to fit dimmer switches so you can tone it down in the evenings,” says Tammy.

A study by the Journal of Consumer Psychology discovered that bright lights can make people feel uncomfortable, so go for a golden glow.

“Small reading lamps are good. Buy a warm LED bulb for your lamps to create a cosier environment.”

Keep kitchens bright, though. “You need to be able to see what you’re doing,” says Tammy.

BEWARE BARE WALLS

WHILE minimal looks are in, bare walls can make you feel bleak.

To cheer up a plain wall, Tammy recommends adding some personal touches.

“Buy a budget-friendly canvas from a high street store, or create your own wall art using old plates from a vintage store,” she says.

According to research from University College London, the brain releases dopamine when we view artwork – the same feel-good chemical we produce when falling in love. So get creative.

DON’T SUPERSIZE YOUR SOFA

STUDIES show that room layouts influence how we behave, from how well we concentrate to how cooperative we are.

Tammy says: “I’m not a fan of three-piece matching suites – it’s better to have a two-seater sofa and then two different chairs, so it’s more of a versatile space.

“It can make you happier, because then there’s room to do other things in different seating options, like read a book.”

A larger three-piece suite can take up most of your living room, while a two-seater with two different smaller chairs gives you more floor space.

Avoid symmetrical set-ups, too.

“Symmetry can make things look unnatural,” she says.

“A lot of people put things in the centre of their shelves, but it’s better to leave the centre empty and instead fill the sides with personal touches.

“Leaving space in the centre draws the eye to the things you love and allows you to appreciate them as you can see them better.

“If it’s too cluttered, you wouldn’t notice them.”

EMBRACE SECRET SPACES

“TOO much clutter is depressing,” Tammy says.

To help create a stress-free environment, use furniture where you can store stuff you don’t use every day.

“I’m not a fan of having storage under your bed because bedroom space needs to be completely clear,” she adds.

“Ottomans and footstools that lift up are brilliant for storing cushions or blankets. I’m a big believer in multi-functional items.”

FOLLOW THE MAKE-UP RULE

PATTERNS and textures work great in home spaces, but it’s important they don’t clash or it can become overbearing.

If you have patterned curtains, keep your walls plain.

“Or if you’re going for a bright, bold wallpaper, keep your curtains simple,” Tammy says.

“Think of it like make up – you’d either go for a red lipstick or a smoky eye. It’s the same with design in our homes – don’t overdo it.”

AVOID ANGRY EDGES

SHARP edges can create anxiety, so opt for soft, rounded shapes instead.

“Curves are really pleasing,” Tammy says. “Use a circular rug instead of a square rug, or a circular coffee table instead of a square one.”

One study published in the Architectural Science Review showed that people feel more relaxed in rooms with curves rather than sharp edges.

Tammy says: “Circles are a part of dopamine décor and we tend to be drawn to them. They make you feel calmer and happier.”

GIVE GLASS A PASS

COLD materials – like glass – could be putting you in a bad mood.

Instead, use something warmer, where possible, such as wood.

Research shows it is associated with lower stress levels.

Tammy says: “If you have a glass table it can make you feel cold and irritated. Put a tablecloth on it.

“There’s a big trend in 2024 for wooden kitchens.

“So you might have a modern kitchen, but you can add wooden doors to the cupboards to create a calmer feel.”

STEER CLEAR OF MIRRORS – JUST LIKE CLAUDIA

TRAITORS and Strictly star Claudia Winkleman famously banned mirrors from her home – and she may be on to something.

“You can totally over-do it with mirrors,” says Tammy. “If you have too many, the light reflection could be unsettling.

Instead, only place them where you’ll actually use them.

“You don’t need them in a living room or kitchen,” she says. “Mirrors should be functional only.”

BE CAUTIOUS WITH YOUR CANDLES

SCENTED candles can make your home smell sweet.

But some can release pollutants and even worsens your home’s indoor air quality.

Instead, you can easily freshen up your space with natural fragrances, especially those that come from plants and herbs.

Research shows 75 per cent of our emotions are reactions to scent.

“If you have a mint plant in your kitchen, you’re going to feel good.

“Peppermint is really uplifting and basil is a lovely herb to have too because it makes your whole kitchen smell nice,” says Tammy.

“Jasmine plants will also make your house smell lovely.”

“Try to buy soy wax candles which release fewer toxins.” says Tammy.

“The more essential oils they have in them, the better.”

BE KITCHEN CLEVER

IS your kettle on the opposite side of the kitchen to your fridge?
Big mistake.

“Kitchens can be sad spaces and having things in the wrong place can make you unhappy,” says Tammy.

“It’s important to think about how you move around your kitchen, and then move things to where you need them.

“For example, if the first thing you do in the morning is make a tea or coffee with milk, put your kettle near your fridge.”

She adds: “It’s a really basic thing, but you should just think about positioning things to make your life easier.”

Colours to use

STUDIES have shown that YELLOW releases a happy chemical in the brain called serotonin, the hormone responsible for boosting our mood.

This Oslo ceramic table lamp, £8 from Dunelm, should help you mellow.

ORANGE radiates warmth and happiness, with a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology finding that it can increase energy levels.

Add some to your home with this Talking Tables glass mushroom candle holder in orange, £15 from John Lewis.

RED is associated with passion, love, power and, according to research, it can increase a person’s appetite.

Boost cravings with the Natures Wick candle in red berry and nutmeg, £18.50, Tesco.

SOFT shades of purple can have a calming effect and are linked to warmth.

For a relaxed vibe add this washed linen cushion cover to your decor for £6 at H&M.

PINK can provide feelings of comfort, with studies confirming that exposure to the colour has calming effects on our nervous system.

Get cosy with Primark’s round button cushion, £8.