Have you ever stepped inside your home and noticed that something didn’t feel quite right? Not messy, not ugly, not even cluttered. Just off. I used to wonder why I wasn’t relaxed at home and it wasn’t just because of the list on my fridge.
If your house looks perfect but you don’t feel calm, you’re not the only one. It turns out that a few of our favorite decor items could actually cause problems for us. I could only realize that once I began to get rid of them.
In this article, I’ll explain how 7 typical home decor items can actually make it harder for you to relax. I’m not talking about trends or my own ideas; these are things that really changed the atmosphere in my home and helped me create a true retreat.
Mirrors Facing the Bed: A Reflection That Never Sleeps
I was surprised by this: just a mirror on the wall made me feel someone was watching me. Even with nobody around.
The Subtle Stress of Reflection
For several months, there was a big mirror opposite my bed. I liked how the light bounced off the ceiling and made the room appear larger. I also experienced difficulties sleeping and always felt too much going on in the evenings. It turns out that mirrors also reflect movement which can make people feel more awake and lively.
The Fix That Worked
Moving the mirror to the side wall made a big difference. It allowed me to be open, but no longer showed who I am. If you can’t change the wall, you might want to use a foldable screen or a curtain to make the space more comfortable.
Overhead Lights That Kill the Mood
The first thing I tried was turning off the ceiling light, something I thought I wouldn’t enjoy. Taking that one step made my room seem more peaceful.
Why Bright Lights Are Stressful
Cold-toned LED overhead lights can make your home feel more like a doctor’s office. They flatten the atmosphere and signal “wake up” instead of “wind down.”
What I Did Instead
I layered my lighting:
- A soft-glow table lamp for reading
- A dimmable floor lamp for ambiance
- Fairy lights around a shelf for pure joy
Pro tip: Stick to warm bulbs between 2700K–3000K. It’s the visual equivalent of a cozy sweater.
Wall Art That Feels Like Visual Noise
To show you how I did it, one Sunday I took all the artwork off my walls. Every. Single. Frame. And just… looked.
When Decor Becomes Clutter
I soon saw that half of the prints I had were there because I felt I had to keep them. Gifts, fillers and things that didn’t go with anything else, but I couldn’t bear to throw them out. They weren’t helping me breathe—they were asking for attention.
The Visual Reset
I have fewer objects now, but every one brings me a sense of calm. A landscape in soft colors. A single black-and-white photo. Even bare space can be beautiful. Just as white space helps your eyes in design, you need some space to rest on the page.
Cute But Useless: The Decor That Just Sits There
It started with dusting. Honestly. I was done cleaning up the tiny animals and candles I never used.
3 Steps That Helped Me Let Go
- Cleared all flat surfaces—nightstands, dressers, shelves.
- Put everything into a box for 7 days.
- Only returned items I actively used or truly loved.
What remained? A book, a diffuser, a plant. Everything else was just… visual noise.
Furniture That Feels Like It Owns the Room
This is where it all shifted. I thought my giant coffee table looked very stylish. Walking through the store was like trying to complete a small obstacle course.
When Big Means Bad
Oversized furniture can make even spacious rooms feel cramped. Worse, it prevents flow—both physical and energetic.
The Before/After Breakdown
| Element | Before (Oversized) | After (Streamlined) |
|---|---|---|
| Walkability | Constantly bumping knees | Easy, open movement |
| Cleaning | Dust bunnies trapped | Quick sweeps, no hurdles |
| Visual weight | Heavy, dark wood | Light legs, airy design |
Choosing scale-appropriate pieces made everything feel lighter—literally and emotionally.
Sentimental Items That Stir the Wrong Emotions
Would you ever decide to keep something that reminds you of a breakup… on purpose? I did. Without realizing it.
Emotional Baggage on Display
I kept a vase from my previous home with my ex. It was beautiful. I would always feel a bit of sadness whenever I saw it. That’s not what home should feel like.
The Shift
After letting go, I opened up space for new emotions and new visuals. Now, I pick clothes that represent who I am now, not who I was before.
What to ask yourself:
- Does this item make me feel good today?
- Do I feel lighter or heavier when I see it?
- Am I keeping it out of guilt?
If it’s no longer useful for you now, perhaps it should be in the past.
Chaos in Plain Sight: When Storage is Missing
What really helped me was hiding the things I already owned, rather than adding more.
Open Storage = Visual Clutter
Books, wires, snacks, mail—all out in the open. Even if it’s organized, it reads as chaos. And chaos, no matter how aesthetic, is not restful.
My Calm-Creation Checklist
- Closed storage bins under the bed
- Woven baskets for loose items
- Matching boxes for open shelves
- One drawer for random things (yes, a junk drawer!)
Think of it like this: the less your eyes have to process, the more your brain can relax.
Final Thoughts
A house that looks great from the outside but leaves you tired inside? That’s not the goal. It took me a while to see that having less means things are quieter, softer and safer.
You don’t have to throw everything away. Just start noticing how each piece makes you feel. Replace the busy and flashy with calm and useful items and you’ll notice your space helping you much sooner.
Is there something in your home you’ve been wanting to get rid of?
Pin this article if you’re planning your next home reset.
