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What comes to mind when you think about home repair and maintenance tasks? Is it the fresh coat of paint the downstairs hall needs? Or maybe it's the wooden floors that need a polish, or the walkways you should have jetwashed last week.

Current project feature: exterior design selections concept boards featuring two options for the exterior tiles (bottom right).

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Image Credit: Madison Oren from Unsplash
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Nobody wants to go through life feeling sad or negative. Between mental health, stress, and more than a few other areas, however, countless people have ended up feeling that way. It could be a position you’re in, despite the fact that it’s not one you actually want to be in.


You’ll want to get out of the rut and live a happy life. But, this can be a tricky predicament to get out of, and you mightn’t be sure where to start with it.


Thankfully, this is far from impossible. Quite the opposite. Focusing on the right lifestyle tips and making a few changes could be more than enough to help with this. It’s just a matter of actually putting the time and effort into them and being willing to be consistent with them.


Some of these could end up being more than worth putting the work into.


Why You Should Live a Happy Life


You’ll already know you should live a happy life for more than a few reasons. Perhaps the most notable of these is that you deserve to. But, that doesn’t mean putting the effort into it doesn’t offer more than a few other benefits. You could see more than a few of these.


The most notable of these should be:

1. You’ll end up living a longer life.
2. You could end up looking younger than you are.
3. You’ll have better relationships with friends and family.
4. Your mental health will be noticeably better.
5. You could end up feeling more confident.
6. You might perform better at work and in other areas.

These are all more than enough to put the effort into it. While you could already be relatively happy, though, you could want to be happier.


That’s a natural position to be in, and you’re far from the only person to end up feeling that way. It doesn’t mean you have to struggle through it, though. Instead, it’s just a matter of knowing how to live a happier life.


More than a few tips and tricks can have an impact on this, with six of them being quite helpful.


Live a Happy Life: 6 Tips to Use

Image Credit: Helena Lopes from Unsplash.


1. Beat Any Addictions


There are countless substances you can be addicted to; cigarettes, alcohol, and even illicit (and prescription) drugs. None of these will have a positive impact on your life. Rather, they’re going to have more and more of a negative impact as time goes on.
If you’re experiencing any of these, beat your addiction as soon as you can. Alcohol and drug rehab centers can be great help with this, especially if there are any mental health issues alongside it. You’ll end up with a much happier life because of it.


2. Get Some Sunshine


Sunshine almost always has an impact on how people feel, which is why it’s worth getting as much of it as you can, whenever you can. Try to get out when the sun is out so you can soak it in as much as possible. Even a short walk in the sun can help you feel better.


The trick here is to actually soak in some sun as regularly as you can. While this mightn’t always be possible, you’ll notice the difference once you’ve been taking in the sun for a while. Just don’t forget the sunscreen while you’re at it.


3. Practice Gratitude


Many people don’t feel happy in life because they’re focused on the negatives and whatever’s going wrong. While it’s easy to see why that happens, it doesn’t mean it’s a position you should settle for or stay in for long. Overcome it as soon as possible.


One of the better ways to do this is to practice gratitude as much as you can. By looking around your daily life, you could find more than a few parts of it to be grateful for. Your partner, your family, work accomplishments, and more can all be part of this.


4. Learn to Forgive


There are plenty of times in everyone’s lives when someone’s done them wrong, either in a minor or major way. This, naturally, breeds negative feelings and can eventually foster disdain or hatred for someone. These aren’t pleasant feelings to experience.


You’re much better off releasing these feelings so you can have a happier life. Practicing forgiveness can be one of the best ways to do this. While that could mean overcoming a few separate emotions, you’ll end up feeling all the happier because of it.


5. Spend Time With Friends


Nobody feels completely happy when they’re alone, which is why it’s worth spending time with friends and family regularly. This social activity has a significant impact on your mental health, preventing loneliness and the feelings of anxiety and depression that come with it.


Make spending time with friends a part of your weekly schedule. While you don’t have to spend time with them constantly, you’ll feel better about life every time you spend time with them. It’ll end up helping with your happiness levels quite a bit.


6. Celebrate Small Wins


Countless people feel like they haven’t accomplished much in life, especially when they compare their life to what it could’ve been. While you mightn’t be able to change that, you can change what you focus on and how you feel about your daily life.


By celebrating small wins, you reframe how you think about life while making yourself feel better. Even setting yourself goals to accomplish, even small ones, can give you something to work towards. When you complete them, you’ve another reason to feel happier.


Summing it Up


It’s natural to want to live a happy life; everyone wants it. But, that doesn’t mean it’s one that everyone’s guaranteed, and it’s natural to end up feeling a little negative in your life. This isn’t a position you’ve to settle for.


Focusing on the right tips and lifestyle changes could be more than enough to help with this. It’s just a matter of actually putting the time and effort into it.

Source: Pexels


Look at your Property


One of the first things you need to do is look at your property. If you operate a business premises, then you need to make sure that you are being sustainable in your approach. Small steps are still important here, so make sure that you change your lightbulbs out for ones that are energy-efficient, and also make sure that you give thought to any grants you might be able to get as well. If you are a tenant, then you can probably talk to your landlord to discuss whether there is anything you can do to make more changes. Things like this can help you to position yourself as an energy-efficient leader within your sector.


Evaluate your Processes


Another thing you need to do is look at your processes. Is there a way you can make them more efficient? What can you do to try and reduce your energy consumption? It may be that you turn off the lights and any computer equipment you have when not in use. You need to keep your equipment maintained, and you also need to try and keep it in good condition as well. If you have a lot of meetings, then now could be the time for you to try and move some of them online. When you do, you will find it easier to not only get the result you want but also make substantial improvements. Using software is also a good way for you to make sure that you are managing your business efficiently. If you run a recycling company, then using roll-off dumpster rental software can be a good idea, as it allows you to track your deliveries, as well as giving you the chance to streamline your systems more efficiently.

Evaluate your Deliveries


If you happen to deliver your own products, then it may be that you assess if your deliveries are as sustainable as they could be. Could you try and purchase an electric vehicle to make your deliveries? Can you choose a courier and find someone who commits to environmental sustainability? Things like this can help you reduce your carbon footprint while improving your processes for efficiency. It also allows you to appeal more to customers who may put a focus on being more sustainable, which is a good thing. If you need some help with making your business more efficient or if you want to make it greener for the environment, then one thing you can do is try and get an audit done. This will allow you to pinpoint inefficiencies with ease.

For those of you who have ever done a home remodeling project, I feel your pain. While the outcome is often rewarding, the process can be long and daunting. A great deal of decision-making and hoping not to make costly mistakes.

As an interior designer, not only is it my job to design and collaborate with the client, but I also experience what it’s like through the remodeling projects vicariously.

My biggest advice is never to rush. Thoughtful planning, time to think through decisions, plenty of time for purchasing, and all the mishaps that happen (long lead times, broken / lost items, ….oh so many things!). And plan for contingencies… things always seem to take longer and end up being more expensive, unfortunately.

I’m looking forward to featuring the process of some of my projects here, as well as welcoming the opportunity to take your submissions and provide feedback on your projects as well. If you are interested in design or remodeling advice, I have included information here about submitting your project for design advice.

Here’s my typical step by step process for approaching design projects:

Step 1: Concepts – Defining a Style
Every beautiful room begins with a vision. Think of this step as writing the story of your space—what mood do you want it to evoke? Is it calm and serene, bold and dramatic, or timeless and classic? Gathering inspiration from travel, nature, art, or your favorite interiors helps create a design style that feels authentic to you.
Step 2: Measure & Photo
Even dream spaces need a foundation. By capturing measurements and photos, you’re not just collecting numbers—you’re honoring the architecture and character that already exists. These details become the canvas for your creativity, giving you the freedom to dream while staying grounded in what’s possible.
Step 3: Design Drawings
This is where vision takes shape. Rough sketches or digital drawings allow you to imagine how the space could look once transformed. It’s a moment of possibility—lines on paper that hold the promise of comfort, beauty, and function.
Step 4: Space Planning & Layout Development
Design isn’t just about how things look—it’s about how a space feels when you move through it. In this step, the room becomes a choreography of furniture, pathways, and light. A thoughtful layout makes a space flow effortlessly, where every corner has a purpose and every view feels intentional.
Step 5: Selections & Presentation Boards
Now the soul of the design comes alive. Fabrics, finishes, colors, and textures tell the story you began in Step 1. Mood boards let you see it all together—the shimmer of metal, the softness of textiles, the warmth of wood. It’s the moment when your ideas start to feel real, almost touchable.
Step 6: Budget & Purchasing
Even creativity needs structure. A well-planned budget gives you freedom to dream without worry. This step is about making thoughtful choices—deciding where to invest in timeless pieces, and where to save with smart finds. Purchasing becomes the act of turning vision into reality, piece by piece.
Step 7: Hiring Professionals
Behind every stunning interior is a team who brings it to life. From skilled contractors to artisans and tradespeople, these professionals help transform your vision with precision. Choosing the right team is less about transactions and more about collaboration—a shared commitment to beauty and quality.
Step 8: Final Touches
The magic happens here. A room becomes more than walls and furniture when you add art, books, plants, and objects that tell your story. These finishing touches create atmosphere, warmth, and personality. They whisper who you are, turning a designed space into a lived-in sanctuary.
Conclusion
Design is not a straight line—it’s a journey of discovery. From the spark of an idea to the final styling, each step reveals a piece of the story your home wants to tell. When complete, the result isn’t just a beautiful space—it’s a reflection of your life, your taste, and the moments you want to create within it.
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