Your home says a lot about your personality, so it’s important to be sure that your space represents you as accurately as possible. But designing your home to be just the way you want it isn’t always as easy as it sounds. The good news is: no matter what your personal style is, there are lots of ways you can make your home look and feel as good as possible.

If you’re ready to take your home’s design to the next level, keep reading to learn how to design an efficient, healthy home.

Set Up a Separate Work Space

Recent studies have shown that about 5% of the United States workforce telecommutes at least some of the time. If you’re part of the growing number of people who spends some (or all) of their work days at home, it’s important that you have a designated place to work.

Not only will having a home office help you be more productive, but it’ll also help you separate your work life from your home life. If possible, make sure that your work area has lots of natural light, a great view, and some live plants.

Utilize Natural Light

The amount of light you have in your home can really change the overall mood, but natural light isn’t just for show. Natural light actually has a positive effect on your physical and mental health. Research has proven that exposure to natural light boosts vitamin D storage, helps eyesight, and improves mood.

To make the most of the natural light your home has to offer, you should lighten your color scheme, use blinds instead of curtains, and use mirrors to reflect light.

Get Routine Maintenance on Your Appliances

Keeping your home appliances in tip-top shape is a must for your home’s efficiency and your health. Plus performing routine maintenance on your appliances can help you avoid serious issues that may cause you to replace them all together.

When your appliances are regularly maintained, they’ll work as well as possible. In addition, certain appliances, such as your HVAC system, can have negative consequences on your health if they aren’t maintained properly. A faulty HVAC system could result in poor air quality, a mold infestation, and respiratory irritation.

Keep Things Organized

If your home is messy, it means your space probably isn’t being used as efficiently as it be. Organization is the key to decreasing clutter and allowing you to make the most of your space.

The first step to getting organized is making sure you have the proper amount of storage. If you have unused storage space in your home, now is the time to put it to good use. If your home doesn’t have a lot of built-in storage, you’ll want to invest in shelving units and cabinets. Using labels or a color-coded system will help you know exactly where to find what.

Keep Distracting Noises to a Minimum

It goes without saying that some noise is necessary, but loud noises can often be distracting and take away from the peaceful atmosphere you want your home to have. Pay attention to the noise being produced in your home.

For example, do you keep the TV on because you’re watching it, or are you just used to the noise? Although this kind of background noise may seem harmless, it can actually distract you and interfere with personal and/or family time. You can replace some of these ‘distracting’ noises with calming sounds that can help you relax and focus.

When your home is designed to be as efficient as possible, you’ll find that it will naturally create a healthier environment where you and your loved ones can thrive and recharge.