Between 2022 and 2023, the American Time Use Survey found that time spent at home increased by 10%, a trend that started before the COVID-19 pandemic and continues today.
“It’s a dramatic shift in our daily lives,” Patrick Sharkey, a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton and the author of the study, told The New York Times. “Almost every part of our lives is more likely to take place at home.”
As people spend more time at home — and work from home in increasing numbers — they’re also looking for ways to make that environment more comfortable.
Here are 10 science-backed ways to feel more at home in your space:
- Safety first: When your brain detects potential threats, it stays in a low-level state of alert. Take care of any chores you’ve been putting off, especially anything that could put you in harm’s way, like dead lightbulbs, jammed locks, and beeping smoke detectors.
- Eliminate clutter: Your brain interprets order as predictability, which lowers stress. Remove items that are broken or unused — as well as anything that doesn’t “spark joy.” Aim for clear surfaces and open pathways rather than perfection.
- Give everything a home: Decision fatigue drains mental energy. Assign a specific, consistent place for everyday items like keys, shoes, bags, paperwork, and chargers so you’re not constantly searching or making decisions.
- Reduce noise and sensory overload: Excess noise keeps the nervous system activated, even if you’re not consciously aware of it. Add soft materials that absorb sound, such as rugs, curtains, fabric furniture, and wall hangings.
- Make room for connection: Knowing your home can welcome others increases a sense of emotional security. Create at least one space in your house where you can easily host guests, even if it’s small, like a couple of chairs, a cleared table, or a couch that invites people to sit and stay.
- Use soft, balanced colors: Calming colors (like greens and blues) reduce cognitive load and help steady emotional regulation. Avoid high-contrast colors and choose neutral or muted tones for large surfaces (walls, bedding, rugs).
- Improve room flow: When movement feels effortless, your brain experiences less stress throughout the day. Keep frequently used items in easy-to-reach places and arrange furniture so you can move freely around your house.
- Bring nature indoors: Our brains are evolutionarily wired to respond positively to nature, even in small doses. Invest in one or two real plants and open blinds and curtains daily to let natural sunlight in.
- Prioritize good sleep: Sleep is foundational to emotional regulation, memory, and immune health. Invest in the basics of rest: a comfortable bed, clean bedding, dim lighting at night, and a sleep area free from work, clutter, and unnecessary noise.
- Add a personal touch: Seeing yourself reflected in your space increases grounding, self-esteem, and the feeling that you truly belong there. Put your favorite objects on display and surround yourself with reminders of your favorite people, memories, and mementos.
Header image via Kaboom
