Do you need an interiors therapist?

Whether you’d like to improve your relationship or boost your career, getting the life you want starts with your home, Elizabeth Archer discovers

Looking to boost your finances, find some clarity after a break-up, or travel the world? The key could lie in the way you arrange your living space. That’s the view of interiors therapist Suzanne Roynon, who says: “Your home can help you to create the life you want.”

An interiors therapist uses a combination of feng shui, decluttering advice and talking therapy to help clients reach goals.

“Whether it’s meeting the right person, mending relationships with family and friends, improving physical and mental health or getting a pay rise, how you organise your home can help.

“Without realising it, people often trap themselves in the past with their homes and posessions, instead of looking forward. I help them change that,” she says.

Here she shares her tips.

DON’T go for a costly extension

Many people think that an expensive renovation project, or a house move, is what’s needed for them to feel happy in their home.

But before considering moving or extending your current place, review everything you own – do you genuinely use it, need it or love it? If not, let it go. Then it’s time to start rearranging your home according to how you want to live your life. You may find you don’t need an extension or new place after all.

DO assess your goals in life

Start to think about what you want to achieve in your life. Take a piece of paper and write down your goals and ambitions. What do you most want that you don’t have?

It’s time to think about how your home can help you meet those targets, and not hold you back. When you look around you, what thoughts or memories are triggered?

Are they happy or do they bring you down?

DON’T attract more clutter

At this time of year we often turn to decluttering, but after a month, things begin piling up again.

People hold on to unnecessary clutter for one of five reasons: habit, fear, guilt, confusion or spite.

It is important to identify which of these applies to you, and deal with those emotions so you can let go of the items getting in your way.

Do you overlook the clutter, fear change or feel guilty about not loving a sentimental item as much as you should? Perhaps you have mixed emotions, or hold on to things after a divorce out of spite. Take a moment to reflect.

DO create relationship home harmony

A harmonious home is crucial for a happy relationship. For instance, instead of mismatched bedside tables, choose matching pieces of furniture and lamps for the bedroom as this promotes a feeling of balance.

Bedside tables can be a place where keys, spare change and other things accumulate, but try to keep them clutter-free to prevent disrupting bedroom harmony.

DO be sparing with colour

Bright colours can be lovely but, in certain rooms of the house, they’re overstimulating.

This is why it’s better to use a neutral background and bring in colour through accents like cushions and throws.

For instance, people often paint children’s bedrooms in vibrant colours, but this can cause a child to get a poor night’s sleep.

Think about the areas of your house that are brightly coloured, and how you tend to feel when you’re in those rooms.

■■Welcome Home: How Stuff Makes Or Breaks Your Relationship by Suzanne Roynon (£14.99, Panoma Press) is available now. Visit interiorstherapy.com

People trap themselves in the past in their homes without realising it