Hi guys! Welcome to Episode 581 of the Wildly Successful Lifestyle podcast! Im happy you’re here! I hope this finds you happy and healthy and making choices in your life that feel good and right for YOU! Sometimes we need a little reminder that our life is what we make it and we have a lot of power to make it feel really good, but we forget that. As an Interior Designer I have people tell me all the time oh I need a designer or I wish I could afford to have you come to my house. And I wish I could help every single person feel good in their home because you should feel good about the place that is YOURS, that you come home to after a long day, you should look forward to coming home. I have seen first hand many times the power changing one room into a respite can have on an entire family.
I have a client who is a high level executive at a Fortune 500 company. She’s always on the go, traveling for work, juggling a million responsibilities, and her husband’s just as busy. When we met, it was through a referral, which I love because it comes with a built-in layer of trust. But she’d never worked with a designer before, and I could sense a little hesitation. Let’s face it—designers sometimes get a reputation for being over-the-top or impractical. So, we took it slow.
She wanted to start with one room: her hearth room, right off the kitchen, it was a room she avoided daily because it weighed on her how unwelcoming it was. When I first walked in, I could see why she avoided it. All the windows were closed behind thick wooden shutters so it was VERY dark. There was an old leather recliner, mismatched pieces that she wasn’t sure what to do with and the shelves were quite cluttered. It was uninviting to say the least. It was the kind of room you’d walk past and feel a little heavier, you know? She told me she couldn’t stand it, but since it was right off the kitchen, she had to pass it multiple times a day. It was like a constant reminder of something unresolved in her life.
During our initial consultation, I took a good look around and saw all the issues right away. The room was dark—barely any natural light coming in. The TV was stuck in one of those outdated niches high above the fireplace, impossible to watch comfortably. The shelves were cluttered with random knickknacks, the floors felt cold and bare, and the lighting? Oh, it was nonexistent except for a ceiling fan with those awful bluish-tinted bulbs that make everything look sterile. I didn’t want to be in there either, and she was tired of feeling bad every time she walked by.
So, we got to work. The first step was creating a plan to address every single pain point. We started with lighting because it’s a game-changer. Research from the University of Texas shows that exposure to natural light can boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression, so we prioritized bringing in more light. We eliminated the fan light and added layered lighting: a few warm recessed lights to highlight art on the walls and shelves, a couple of great lamps lamps and some subtle accent lights on the shelves to make the room feel cozy. We also opened all of the shutters completely, which let in so much light because the windows are huge which instantly made the space feel brighter and more open.
Next, we tackled the layout. That old recliner? Gone. We brought in comfortable, modern furniture—two great sofas facing each other, and a coffee table that was both functional and beautiful. A study from UCLA found that cluttered homes can increase stress and anxiety, so we decluttered ruthlessly, keeping only meaningful items on the shelves that told her family’s story. For the floors, we added a soft, textured rug to warm up the space, and we painted the walls a light, soft white and added touches of blue which is her favorite color and bonus studies show blue can lower heart rate and promote relaxation.
The TV niche was tricky, but we reframed the fireplace area and closed in the niche and matched the stone all the way up the wall which allowed us to addd a new tv much lower which was a game changer, tv’s being too high, it’s a big problem. We also added a few potted plants, inspired by research from Texas A&M that found houseplants improve concentration, reduce stress, and even act as natural air filters. Every choice was about making this room a place she’d want to linger in, not avoid. A few weeks after we finished, I got a text from her one morning. It said, “Heidi, I just want you to know how much joy we get from our new space. Every time I walk by or spend time in here, I have a smile on my face, and my family feels the same. Thank you.” As a designer, there’s no better feeling than that.
That text got me thinking about why this matters so much. We all have an innate desire to love our surroundings—it’s hardwired into us. A 2021 study published in the National Library of Medicine found that well-designed indoor spaces can significantly boost psychological well-being, with elements like natural light and decluttered layouts making a measurable difference in mood. When you walk into a room that feels chaotic or neglected, it weighs on you. It’s like a little jab to your mindset every time you pass by. But when a space is thoughtfully designed—when it’s warm, functional, and reflects who you are—it lifts you up. It’s like a quiet partner in your daily life, supporting you through the chaos.
This client’s hearth room wasn’t just a room—it was a symbol of how small changes can have a big impact. She didn’t need to renovate her entire house to feel better. We transformed one space, and it changed how she and her family moved through their day. Research backs this up: a study from the University of Minnesota found that open, spacious environments can enhance creativity and elevate mood, even in smaller rooms if designed thoughtfully. That’s the power of design. It’s not about being perfect or following trends. It’s about creating environments that align with how you want to live and feel.
So, if you’re listening and thinking about a space in your home that’s dragging you down, here are a few quick tips to get started, backed by what we know from research. First, prioritize lighting. A study from the New Scientist confirms that natural light improves mood and energy levels, so open those curtains or add a mirror to bounce light around. If natural light is limited, use warm-toned bulbs to create a cozy vibe. Second, declutter ruthlessly. That UCLA study I mentioned? It showed cluttered spaces can spike cortisol levels, so keep only what you love or need. Third, think about flow. Arrange furniture to create clear pathways—research shows organized spaces reduce anxiety and make rooms feel more inviting.
And look, If you’re feeling stuck, start with a mood board. Pin images of spaces that make you feel good and look for patterns in colors, textures, or layouts. You don’t need a big budget to make a difference—even a single plant or a fresh coat of paint can shift the energy of a space. If you want more guidance, don’t be afraid to reach out to a designer for a consultation. We aren’t all so bad!
My challenge to you this week is to fix one small thing that’s been bugging you about your home or office, maybe it’s a light bulb that’s been flickering or a drawer that is so cluttered you can’t find a thing. Or maybe it’s simply seeing and then clearing clutter from the kitchen counter. My guess is you’ll get an instant mood lift. And it didn’t even take that much. Share this with 3 people who could use a little lift! I love you guys, I’ll talk to you in a few days.
