CREATE YOUR HAPPY PLACE
Turn your home into a mood-boosting space that uplifts the everyday
Make your home a tranquil space
LIGHTEN UP
As well as making rooms feel airy and welcoming, natural light has other benefits. From providing a precious dose of vitamin D to improving concentration levels and regulating sleep patterns, getting the right amount can make us feel better. Create a feature of your windows to tempt more light inside; consider leaving them uncovered or choose a discreet roller blind for flexibility throughout the day – try the House Beautiful collection at Hillarys. Alternatively, adding a layer of window film over glass panes will let light in while maintaining privacy – Purlfrost has good options. To bounce light around the room, place a good sized mirror adjacent to your windows and reflect the open look with colourful furniture and accessories.
IN THE SHADE
Colour has the power to uplift, inspire and relax. When choosing a shade, the key is to consider the way your space is used. If a room has sunlight all day, like the kitchen here, you can afford to pick a saturated hue to make a colourful focal point. Bright shades such as this are ideal in social spaces. In larger rooms with high ceilings, an all-white look will allow the proportions to do the talking while giving a tranquil base for other elements. In zones used for winding down, richer shades of yellow and warming oranges can feel cosy and comfortable. Natural hues of green and blue will provide a soothing backdrop ideal for creating restful bedrooms and relaxing bathrooms.
NEAT AND TIDY
Keeping on top of clutter will bring a sense of order to any space while promoting feelings of calm and relaxation. The hallway is the first thing we see when entering our homes and is the last part we see when we leave, so keeping it in check is important. With an organised entrance, you can arrive home to a welcoming space and leave feeling relaxed. Invest in quality storage to keep coats, shoes and other essentials sorted, but adopt a ‘one in, one out’ rule for each. In any part of the house, decluttering is a good opportunity to evaluate what you have and what you no longer need. Donate, recycle or dispose of unwanted items and utilise the extra space for better organisation. Don’t underestimate the power that sensibly arranged kitchen cupboards or colour-coded storage in a study can have in making your everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Coat stand, £35; Montreal bench, £99; Apartment clock, £35, all Dunelm
PRINTS CHARMING
Whether on walls or soft furnishings, patterns will add beauty to any space. To spark a feeling of joy, consider using motifs and prints in unexpected ways. Why not get creative and try your hand at upcycling? Covering the inside of a wardrobe with wallpaper, for example, will add a decorative twist to dressing up, while re-upholstering the seat cushions of dining chairs will make sitting down for meals even more enjoyable. Consider mixing and matching different patterns in the same colour for a dynamic look – try the florals at Sanderson and Designers Guild, the geometrics at Romo and Ian Mankin and the more expressive designs at Linwood and Zoffany.
A NEW LEAF
Houseplants breathe life into a room with a fresh and colourful look, and indoor gardening is as relaxing as it is rewarding. Plants are also known for their air-purifying qualities and have been shown to reduce stress. In the bathroom, try moisture-loving species such as ferns, aloe vera and snake plants. These varieties will thrive in the humidity while making your showers more invigorating and soaks in the tub more tranquil. Try online retailer Patch for nationwide delivery, or browse the newly expanded selection at Dobbies Garden Centres. Terrassa bath, from £3,458.90, Victoria + Albert Baths. For a similar basket, try John Lewis & Partners
SOOTHING SLUMBER
A good night’s sleep is key for both physical and mental health, so it is important to create the right environment in the bedroom. Choose high-quality, breathable bedding that will keep you cool in summer and warm when the temperature drops – try the sustainable cotton styles at The White Company or the beautiful French linen from Soak&sleep. Having the correct pillows and mattress will ensure you wake up on the right side of bed – browse our reviews of the best at goodhousekeeping.com/uk. For your decor, choose soft colours to create a restful feel. Neptune’s Flax Blue paint, shown here, is an elegant choice for walls. Try combining different shades of the same colour in your bed linen and accessories and introduce a complementary tone for a layered look.
With secret coves, crystal-clear waters, golden beaches, historic fortresses and tasty cuisine galore, Malta and its sister islands Gozo and Comino make the perfect family holiday destination. Whether you prefer a chilled break or an activity-packed holiday, here are some of the highlights.
TAKE IT EASY LAZE ON THE BEACH
For family fun in the sun, head to sandy Golden Bay on the north-west coast of Malta. Hire a sunlounger and relax with a book, take a dip in the clear Mediterranean waters or go for a laid-back paddleboat trip.
FEAST ON MALTESE FOOD
With plenty of restaurants serving a variety of local dishes along with favourites such as pizza and pasta, even fussy teens are bound to find something they’ll like on the menu. If you’re a meat-eater, try stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew), Malta’s national dish.
SAVOUR THE SUNSET
Head to chic beach club Café Del Mar in St Paul’s Bay to enjoy the magnificent infinity pool and sit back on one of the luxurious sunbeds; there’s a separate pool area for kids, too, if you want to enjoy a little downtime. In the evening, it’s the perfect place to watch the stunning sunset, cocktail in hand.
KEEP THEM BUSY BRING HISTORY TO LIFE
A UNESCO World Heritage site steeped in history, Malta’s capital Valletta is filled with ancient sites and art. You can wander around its fortifications, some of which date back to 1,450 BC, and honeyed limestone streets,
exploring the monuments and sculptures, ice cream in hand. Don’t miss the National War Museum in Fort St Elmo, which brings to life the island’s dramatic involvement in the Second World War, when it came under siege.
SWIM OFF THE ROCKS
The once-hidden gem of St Peter’s Pool in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk has become a popular hangout. You can sunbathe on the rocks or, if you’re all confident swimmers, jump off them into the beautiful azure-coloured waters.
EXPLORE UNDERWATER
Malta attracts hundreds of divers each year to explore its many shipwrecks and the dramatic underwater landscapes. Most diving schools offer special sessions for kids, where they can learn snorkelling or scuba diving.
GH readers can save with an exclusive offer on Cox & Kings’ seven-night Spotlight on Malta group tour for £1,355*. Visit coxandkings.co.uk/spotlightonmalta