— even if you’re renting, on a budget, or feeling overwhelmed
A very common thing we designers often hear is, “I just want that wow effect.” And I completely get it. Of course we want to feel impressed by our space — to walk into a room and think yes, this is beautiful. But if you’re familiar with my philosophy at all, you’ll now that, for me, the true “wow” lies not just in how a space looks… but in how it makes us feel.
I believe that the most powerful role our homes can play is as a sanctuary — a space that actively supports our wellbeing. Because the truth is, we’re all carrying something. Stress. Grief. Anxiety. Exhaustion. We carry it in our hearts, in our minds and in our bodies. And what we carry impacts our overall wellbeing — mentally, emotionally, and physiologically.
But here’s the good news: our homes can help us release it.
They can become spaces that gently hold and support us as we heal. And this doesn’t require a full renovation, a huge budget, or even owning the place you live. It just requires intention — and a few simple, conscious shifts.
In this post, I’m weaving together some of the key ways your home can help you heal — all of which are low-cost (or free), and completely rental-friendly.
1. Use Colour Consciously
Colour is one of the easiest ways to shift how a space feels — and how you feel in it. It’s not just about aesthetics or style trends. Colour can actually communicate directly with our nervous systems.
The key principle? Colour temperature.
- Warm colours (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate and energise. They’re great for active spaces like kitchens, dining rooms, playrooms — anywhere you want to encourage connection or productivity.
- Cool colours (blues, greens, purples) calm and soothe. They’re perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, meditation spaces — anywhere you want to relax or focus.
But there’s another layer here — one that goes deeper than simple psychology: your seasonal personality type. We all have a unique energetic blueprint (a blend of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter energies), and the colours we’re instinctively drawn to often reflect what best supports our own balance and wellbeing.
If you’re not sure what your dominant season is, I’ve created a free quiz you can take to find out.
When we understand our own seasonal personality type — and the types of those we live with — it becomes so much easier to create a home that feels naturally supportive and harmonious for everyone.
2. Decluttering as Self-Care
Let’s get one thing clear: I’m not preaching minimalism here. For me, decluttering isn’t so much about owning less — it’s more about letting go of what we don’t love or use, so we can create space for what matters.
Everything we surround ourselves with carries energy. If we’re constantly seeing things we’re indifferent to, or that drain us, that has an impact. But when we’re surrounded by things we genuinely love or find useful, our homes start to give us energy rather than take it.
Letting go can be surprisingly cathartic. Not just on a physical level — but mentally and emotionally, too.
3. Space Clearing the Unseen
Space clearing is the energetic follow-up to decluttering. It’s about cleansing and resetting the invisible atmosphere of your home.
Yes — this is one of my more “woo” practices, but I truly believe in it. And if you’re even a little bit energetically sensitive, you’ll feel the difference after you do it.
It’s especially helpful:
- After illness
- After an argument
- When moving into a new space
- Or any time you feel like your home feels a little “off”
You don’t need fancy tools or complicated rituals. I’ve put together a cheat sheet download that walks you through a simple, effective space clearing process.
4. Create a Sacred Corner
You don’t need a meditation room or a dreamy Pinterest nook. Just carve out a little pocket of your home that’s yours — a space to decompress and come back to yourself.
Maybe it’s a cosy chair with a cushion and blanket. A sunny windowsill with a view. A little altar, or just a corner of your bedroom where your phone doesn’t follow.
The magic comes from treating it like a retreat — even for just ten minutes a day. Sip your morning cuppa, write in your journal, do a short meditation, or simply sit and breathe. It’s amazing how restorative this small ritual can be.
5. Try a Little Feng Shui (or Vastu Shastra)
I don’t teach feng shui in the traditional “manifest your dream life” kind of way — but I do love using it as a personal development tool.
These systems connect different parts of your home to different areas of your life. So, by making changes in certain spaces, you can bring more balance to the related area — whether that’s relationships, health, career, or creativity.
I always recommend approaching feng shui with curiosity rather than perfectionism. If you didn’t grow up with these systems embedded in your culture, there’s no need to stress over every guideline. Just take what feels supportive, and leave what doesn’t.
6. Balance Yin & Yang Energy
This is one of the most powerful shifts you can make — and it ties everything together.
- Yin energy is soft, feminine, nurturing, restful.
- Yang energy is active, bright, structured, energising.
We need both in our homes — just like we need both in our lives. Bedrooms, bathrooms, and meditation corners need more yin. Kitchens, workspaces, and social areas benefit from more yang.
When your home holds the right balance of these energies, it naturally supports the balance in you.
Your Home Is More Than Just a Backdrop
When we’re intentional about how we set up our homes — not just visually, but energetically — our spaces start to nourish us. They hold us. They ground us. They support our growth.
You don’t need a huge budget or a full makeover to start. Just choose one small thing to shift, and begin there.
Thanks for reading. You might also enjoy:
Discover your Seasonal Personality Type and How it can Transform your Home.