30+ Design Tricks to Make Your Home Your Happy Place

Home is a sanctuary, a cheerful retreat, somewhere you can relax and always feel … well, at home. No matter the shape, size or style of your space, there are so many small (and big!) ways to make it feel extra special. I asked HGTV editors and designers: How do you make a space its happiest? Here’s what they said.

My tip is simple: candles! I love lighting them in the darkness of my room at night. The soft, flickering flame creates the coziest, happiest vibe. Candles are great for daytime too. Abigail Cook Stone, Otherland co-founder and CEO suggests, “Treat yourself to a ‘miracle morning’ with a candle-lit yoga session; burn one deskside to center your attention and engage in a productive work session; or transform an unused corner of your home into a meditation nook with a favorite candle and some comfortable pillows.” If you need help finding the perfect candle, I suggest: Votivo (the Red Currant scent is my favorite), Paddywax, Otherland, Anthropologie’s Capri Blue line or anything Bath and Body Works. If you want to spread candle-love to your friends, check out Vellabox or ApothePure.

Looking for a flameless option? “Essential oils help me set a happy mood in my home,” explains Laura James, commerce editor for HGTV.com. “I love diffusing calming lavender before bed and an energizing citrus oil like lemon or orange during the day when I’m trying to be productive. While it’s certainly a splurge, I really like this ceramic diffuser from Vitruvi because it almost looks more like a piece of art or ceramic vase than an ultrasonic diffuser. It complements my apartment’s decor and makes it smell amazing.”

Laura also loves filling her house with fresh flowers and plants, and eucalyptus leaves in particular. She finds them at the grocery store, then styles the leaves in cute vases or recycled containers, “so they don’t look like they’re from the grocery store,” she says. PSA: Eucalyptus smells amazing, and it’s said to promote relaxation.