Happy Home, Happy Life - Why Your House or Flat can Bring More Joy Than Money

By Marilize Jacobs from Pigs Can Fly Interiors

www.marilizejacobs.com

Have you ever stopped to think about how your home affects your happiness?

The truth is, you don't need a mansion to be happy. New research shows that a happy home life is one of the biggest keys to a happier you - even more than your salary.

What Really Makes a Happy Home?

According to the GoodHome Report, it’s not about the size of your house, whether you rent or own, or what neighbourhood you live in. What matters most is the feeling your home gives you. The most important things are:

• Safety: A place where you feel secure.
• Comfort: A space that lets you relax and be yourself.
• Identity: A home that reflects who you are and your family.
• Pride: A place you are proud to call your own.

The Proof is in the Pride

According to the World Happiness Report (yes, there is indeed such a report) research shows that often we look for happiness in the wrong places. Sometimes what we think makes us happy and what really makes us happy differ significantly.

Even more surprising? A happy home makes up 15% of a person's overall happiness. That’s more than the importance of physical health and almost as much as your mental health! It’s also more important to your joy than your income, your job status, or whether you have a family.

How happy we are with our homes also proves to be much more important to our overall happiness if compared to our income and whether we are employed, retired, single, married, or have children (all typically considered to be highly important to our well-being).

Source: World Happiness Report

But here’s the key insight: while pride in your home is the most important feeling, very few people actually feel it. The good news is you can change that without spending a fortune.

Small Changes, Big Smiles

You don't need a big budget to make a big difference. The study shows that people who improve their homes are far prouder of them.

• Focus on the Heart of the Home: Even small upgrades in the kitchen like organising your shelves, adding a fresh coat of paint, or a new curtain can make a huge difference. A tidy, clean cooking space makes the whole home feel better. 82% of the respondents in the GoodHome study who have renovated their kitchens are happy with their homes, compared to 68% of them who have not renovated their kitchens.

• Your Private Oasis:The bathroom is the second most important space for happiness. Since we use it so often, keeping it clean, fresh, and organised can turn it into a little private retreat. A new soap dispenser or a brightly coloured mat can work wonders! As the average person “tinkles” every 3 -4 hours, this is definitely an area to look at when upgrading – let it become the best seat in the house!

Busting the Biggest Myth

The main myth the report busts? Bigger is NOT better. How you organise and use your space is far more important than how many rooms you have. A clean, well-organised two-room flat that feels like yours will always bring more joy than a cluttered, messy big house.

So, remember: your happiness isn't waiting for a bigger paycheque or a different house. It starts by taking pride in the space you have right now. A happy home leads directly to a happier life.

It’s your time to be happy. Start with the space you have.

As the saying goes, your home is your castle. No matter its size.

Happy decorating!