You may think that polluted air is only found outdoors in busy cities, but the air in
our homes is just as full of toxins and pollutants. Ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde,
trichloroethylene, and xylene are some of the most commonly found pollutants in our
air. They can be found in everyday household products like window cleaners, furniture
polish, detergents, paints and varnishes, and even plastic and leather furniture.
Some common household plants can help filter these harmful toxins and purify your
air while livening up your decor:10 yourfamily.co.zaHOME UPDATE
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A BEAUTIFUL HOME
6 PLANTS FOR A HAPPY (AND HEALTHY) HOME
Bamboo palmFlamingo lilyChinese evergreen Peace lilyBarberton daisyFlorist’s
chrysanthemumW
hether it’s a corner in the dining room,
your study, or your bedroom, a spot of
your own where you can relax, recharge,
and feel happy is a must.
Amy Child of Tétris South Africa describes an
at-home happy space as any well-ventilated space
filled with natural light and brimming with happy,
healthy plants. ‘Various research projects over
the years have proven the benefits of bringing
nature into man-made spaces. This is known as
biophilic design and it has many benefits. Some
examples from everyday life include an increase in
productivity in workspaces, a faster rate of recovery
for hospital patients, and even an increase in focus
for children trying to learn new things,’ she explains.
‘If we consider that most of us spend around
90% of our time in built environments, it makes
sense that our indoor spaces should enhance
our health and quality of life,’ says Amy. ‘Designing
and decorating your home with biophilic principles
in mind can really have a positive effect on
your psyche.’Create your own at-home happy space
‘If possible, choose a room or part of a room
that gets lots of sunlight,’ suggests Amy. ‘Try to
choose a room or space with windows that can
be opened to allow in plenty of fresh air.’ She also
suggests that your happy space should be as free
from clutter as possible to create a calming and
worry-free environment.
‘Ample space isn’t a luxury that everyone can
enjoy so it’s important to maximise the space
you have available by creating a multifunctional
room. One way to achieve this is by using decor
and furniture that serve more than one function.’
Amy suggests investing in clever pieces like
Studio 19’s Sunday Bench & Chair, R10 200, which
is both a chair and a bench, with a reading light
incorporated into the design.If your happy space
is going to be
used for working
on creative tasks,
Amy suggests
choosing an area that
receives as much
sunlight or natural
light as possible.
When sunlight isn’t
available as a source
of light, she suggests
opting for soft, warm
lighting that will
replace natural light.IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A
SPACE OF YOUR OWN WHERE
YOU CAN RECHARGE AT THE
END OF THE DAY