So many articles about home renovation projects and domestic upgrades lead with the value you could add to your property. Hell, we’ve written quite a few of them.

Less advice, it seems, is out there on the home improvements that will add most value to your life, in terms of the happiness, satisfaction and domestic contentment they bring.

There’s always something that can be tweaked, upgraded, or replaced to make your home look better, feel more comfortable, or be more functional, sure, but today, we’re focusing on those projects and purchases that can help you feel happier in your home, pure and simple. With that in mind, here are 8 domestic upgrades designed with your happiness in mind.

Spruce Up Your Front Door

We’re starting symbolically at the portal to paradise. Or, as most normal people call it; the front door.

Whilst this might not immediately feel like a home improvement project designed with your wellbeing in mind, we think it’s fair to say that your front door sets the tone for your experience beyond it. As such, it’s worth making sure yours is looking on point and inviting.

A fresh coat of paint in a cheery colour can do wonders. According to Country Life, blue and green are the best front door colours for selling a house, whilst feng shui suggests red is the ideal front door colour, its auspiciousness representing both safety and good fortune. 

Personally, we think pastel shades – in yellow or pink, particularly – set the perfect tone for the home. Just make sure any colour you do choose complements the overall aesthetic of your home’s facade. 

If you’re looking for something unique, consider adding some stained glass panels or decorative hardware. This is a relatively simple and inexpensive project that can have a big impact on your home’s curb appeal. It is also a great way to add your own personal touch to your home.

Add A Hot Tub Or A Swim Spa

From the front door to the back, and out into the garden…

Nothing says luxury quite like a hot tub or swim spa, an addition to the home with little functional purpose except the ultimate goal of rest and relaxation!

You’ll be pleased to hear that you don’t actually need a sprawling (or even small) garden to accommodate a hot tub. According to Cornwall swim spa’s advice, you can even put a hot tub in your basement or bathroom. They tell us that, ‘’For the most part, basements are an ideal location, especially as the concrete floors can properly support the weight of the hot tub.’’ Great news!

They go on to advise that it’s important to ensure any room you’re considering for a hot tub (if you don’t have the outdoor space for one) should be well ventilated and, ideally, well lit, as hot tubs tend to cause a lot of humidity and create a slip hazard when not illuminated properly. If the resultant condensation is allowed to build up, you risk mold growth and damage to your property.

But with that small caveat firmly dispensed with, it’s time to turn those bubbles to ‘strong’ and luxuriate in your latest domestic addition. 

Read: What are the potential benefits of soaking in a hot tub?

Create Opportunities For More Natural Light

Well-lit domestic spaces contribute a remarkable amount to your overall wellbeing at home. 

Natural light, in particular, provides some serious health benefits, boosting Vitamin D, alleviating the symptoms of seasonal depression, improving sleep and so much more. On the flip side, dark and closed-off spaces can often feel overwhelming and intrusive, leaving you yearning for daylight and vast expanses of outdoor space (and this is not what you want when you are relaxing indoors). 

Whether you’re undertaking a proper project, like smashing through a wall and installing a new window, or simply moving some obstructive items away from a windowsill, there are plenty of opportunities to allow more natural light into your home, all of which will almost certainly make your home a more enjoyable place to spend time.

Soundproof Your Property

If you live in a lively urban area or have thin walls and particularly noisy neighbours, soundproofing your home can make a world of difference to your overall wellbeing within. Not only will it make your living space more peaceful, but it can also improve your concentration when working from home and help you get a better night’s sleep, too. 

There are a few different ways to soundproof your home, and the method you choose will depend on your budget and needs. You could add insulation to your walls, install soundproof windows, or even use acoustic panels. These projects can be as simple or as complex as you want, but they’re sure to make your home a more peaceful place.

Read: 6 hacks for city centre flats, IDEAL for making life more comfortable

Turn Your Attic Into A Dedicated Chill-out Zone

If you have an unused attic, have you considered turning it into a dedicated chill-out space? This project will require some work, sure (you’ll need to insulate the space and add flooring, drywall, and electricity, at the very least), but when you let out that first satisfied sigh as you sink into your ergonomic beanbag, it will all be worth it. 

Once the space is finished, you can use it as an extra bedroom, home office, playroom, a simple meditative space, or anything else you can imagine. If you are stuck for inspiration, however, then check out these loft conversion ideas. 

A Lick Of Paint Goes A Long Way

The colours and the shades that you use throughout your home can and will have an impact on the enjoyment you get from spending time there. Using softer and earthier tones and hues can help you feel more connected to nature and grounded in your property, which may heighten your sense of enjoyment. Or, you may also find that more colour schemes of a sunnier disposition may leave your home feeling warmer and calmer.

In fact, there’s a whole scientific discipline concerned with such matters. According to colour psychology, if you’re looking for colours that inspire wellness, dark greens and navy blues channel a harmonious ambience, whilst warm yellow or even muted bubble gum pink offer an uplifting aesthetic. 

Smarten Up Your Home

It feels like with each passing day, a new and innovative way to make our homes more efficient and a more enjoyable place to spend time emerges, and installing smart technology is a great way to do that.

These devices can automate tasks like turning off lights when you leave the room or adjusting the thermostat based on your schedule. Not only will this save you money on your energy bills, but it can also make your life more convenient. And with the wide range of smart devices available, you’re sure to find ones that fit your needs and budget. So if you’re looking for a way to make your home more efficient, installing smart technology is a great option.

Read: 5 modern and smart upgrades to improve your home

Turn Your Bathroom Into A Wellbeing Sanctuary

We almost reached the end of your article without mentioning the bathroom, perhaps the most important space in terms of your overall domestic contentment. Rather than keep you, why not check out these ideas on how to make your bathroom a wellbeing sanctuary? You won’t regret it!