You've had a busy day at the office, and you just want to come home for some peace and quiet. You arrive home, sit on the couch, and your stress level stays at an all-time high. What gives? Well, psychologists say that it could be your home decor that's stressing you out.

Science has proven that certain colors, patterns, and light can have a huge impact on overall mood. If you experience chronic stress and anxiety, it may be time to plan a redecorating project.

Here's a few things you should take into consideration:

Skip the Dark Colors

If you want to promote a sense of calm and relaxation, color can be your friend. Plan to paint any rooms painted in a dark shade. Nature-inspired shades of paint are the way to go, but studies have shown light blue especially "affects the autonomic nervous system "“ the part that operates without your conscious control "“ to lower the heart rate and blood pressure, and slow the breathing."  

Nix the Wallpaper

According to psychologist Katherine Grace Morris, PhD,  patterns can make it harder for your brain to remain calm and focused. "If you have too many bright colors or high-contrast patterns in a room, your eyes are going to be drawn all over the place, making it difficult to relax," she says.

Plants, Lots of Plants

Humans are meant to spend a lot of time outdoors, but we can't always do that because of bad weather, chores, or exhaustion. Bring nature inside and invest in a few house plants. It will help lower blood pressure and reduce stress and anxiety. An added bonus? Plants help clean the air! If you are allergic to some plants, hanging a painting of a beautiful landscape works almost as well.

Let there Be Light

Natural light is known to relieve symptoms of depression as well as SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, which can dampen your mood in the winter months. Maximize the natural light in your home by removing heavy curtains or blinds. You can also use soft lighting in lamps and overhead lights. No fluorescent light bulbs allowed!

Pick the Right Chair or Sofa

Returning home to the comfort of your favorite armchair can feel like a welcoming hug. Apparently, chairs and sofas with high backs can promote feelings of safety and security, which contribute to stress-reduction. The placement of your chair in the room also matters. Positioning your seat so you can see the door helps you feel calm and safe.

Now you're all ready to get started on your home makeover. Let us know if this was helpful in the comments!