HOME
7
Sneaky Ways Your House Is Making You Cranky
BY L AUR E N P I R O F R OM GO O D H O U S E K E E P I N G
THERE’S NOT A POTTED PLANT IN SIGHT (OR IT’S DEAD). Bright green leaves breathe
1
life (literally) into your home— houseplants can purify the air indoors, which can be five times more polluted than outdoor air, reports the Environmental Protection Agency. Plus, studies have shown that plopping one in a bare spot can reduce stress.
2
YOUR ONLY LIGHT SOURCES ARE IN THE CEILING. If you
rely on recessed lights (especially in your kitchen), you might not realize you’re still living in the dark. Recessed lights don’t allow the full 42
|
05•2015
|
rd.com
amount of brightness to shine from the bulb, so vertical surfaces don’t get sufficiently lit. That leaves your space dark and gloomy. But task lights (like table lamps or under-thecabinet lighting) help you to actually see what you’re doing and create a brighter, happier space.
3
EVERY ACCESSORY YOU OWN IS A SOLID COLOR.
When you choose pillows, throws, and wallpaper for your space, don’t be too matchy-matchy. Mix in different patterns and colors for texture and personality. With only solids in the same tone, your design will appear flat, boring, and not very energizing. ILLUSTRATION BY EDWIN FOTHERINGHAM