Like most people, you’ve probably been spending a lot more time in your home this past year. Maybe you have also noticed that it isn’t quite as relaxing as you would like it to be. If you want to transform your home into a more tranquil space, then take a look at these five helpful tips.

1. Clear up the clutter

It can be more difficult to relax in a space that has a lot of clutter. Gather up the loose items you have lying around and make sure that everything has a place where it can go. You’ll have an easier time finding things when you need them, and they will stay out of your way when you don’t.

Factors like poorly positioned furniture or mismatched decor can also contribute to visual clutter, so try to optimize the overall design of the space as well.

2. Bring more greenery indoors

Many people like going out into nature to relax. Green, leafy plants can have a similar calming effect inside the home. Bring a little bit of nature indoors and you’ll quickly notice the difference it makes. Plus, plants can also make a lovely addition to your design scheme.

Don’t worry if you don’t have much of a green thumb, as there are many hardy varieties of plants that require minimal care and maintenance. Some good options are golden pothos, snake plant, and English ivy.

3. Maximize your natural light

Another easy way to boost your mood and make a more enjoyable indoor space is to let in more natural light. Simply keeping the blinds open is always an option, but for those who also want to maintain privacy, sheer curtains are a fantastic choice. If you don’t have a lot of windows or if your windows are small, then you can amplify the amount of natural light in a space with reflective surfaces like mirrors and lacquered furniture.

4. Choose warm over cool lighting

When it comes to artificial lighting, your main options are soft and yellowish warm light or bright and bluish cool light. Warm light is considered to be more relaxing while cool light tends to promote attentiveness and wakefulness. You might consider using different types of lighting in different areas of the home, such as cool light for the kitchen and living areas and warm light for the bedrooms.

5. Use a neutral color palette

Finally, to help make a space more relaxing, consider your color palette. Neutral tones tend to have a more calming effect than bright colors and vivid patterns. As with your lighting, you may want to use different color palettes in different parts of the home. Perhaps you enjoy bold color in the living room but want to tone it down in the bedroom. Blue and grey hues are a particularly good choice for bedding.

You deserve a home where you can feel relaxed and where you truly enjoy spending time. By making a few easy improvements, that’s just the type of home you can create.