There are beautiful homes, nice homes, ok homes, and homes from hell. Which category does your living environment fall into? It should be the first on the list and if it's not, you need to work at getting it that way. Why? Well, there is no place on earth more important than the family home. It's where we should be at our most relaxed, not stressed. It's a place where we interact with loved ones, and a resting place to rejuvenate wary batteries. A home is your little corner of the world that should be nothing short or a very special place. If it's not, where else is there?

There are many little tips and tricks that can make big changes to our habitats. Firstly, we need to ascertain what things make us feel good. If it's plants with leaves and flowers, then it's time to bring a little of the outside, inside. You will not believe the difference a few well positioned plants can make to the atmosphere of a room. I always used to keep a few tiny potted plants on the windowsill, but it wasn't until I brought a few big leaved 5 footers indoors that I really understood the concept. The ambiance is simply incredible.

Some folks are happy with clutter, and if that's you, then leave it be, but the day I cleared away all the stuff that had been collecting over the years ? just in case it/they came in handy ? was another day when I felt the home had been liberated. It's amazing to think that closed cupboards full of junk could have such a negative impact on the living area. I always thought that out of sight was out of mind but apparently not!

Quite often, it's the little things that have a big impact. We had an empty wall with no hangings or decoration whatsoever. We simply placed a large rectangular mirror to that wall which seemed to open up our living space by a third. This mirror also refects the leaves of the plants bringing still more greenery into the lounge.

The changes made to our humble abode really have had a major impact on the environment of our family home. Everyone appears so relaxed, and more than ever before we sit around chatting as opposed to slouching around waiting for bedtime. Here are a few more simple tips that worked great in our castle:

No longer do we have stuff around that shouldn't be. By that I mean if it's not being used, it gets put away. This includes irons and boards, CDs, clothes, books and so on and so forth. Uncluttered living space = uncluttered minds, uncluttered minds = peace and calm all around.

Over time we have adopted themes for all our rooms and so we no longer have multi colour multi design ideas. We used to play the game of compromise where if one liked something and the other didn't, we'd allow it providing we could both have our way. We know now that this was wrong as it meant always being surrounded by something that you abhorred. Today, we live in a space that everyone likes, and so that's one more thing to tip the balance of harmony in the right direction.

We make sure we have both light and ventilation throughout and keep doors ajar and windows open whenever possible. Also, since we no longer allow smoking indoors (and yes I'm a smoker), our quality of air and air odor has improved beyond all recognition. We also burn sweet smelling incense sticks from around the world, and heat aromatherapy oils which really give a calmness to any living space.

These are just a few adjustments we made over time, and believe it or not, we have all become much calmer and happier as a family because of them. We all need a healthy home environment and quite often it is the places, not the people, that need changing to achieve it.

Roger Wilson is an expert author who writes for SituationHome.com where he has pieces on Investing in a Home Security System and The Handy Black and Decker Shed. He also has many other house & home related pieces on the site.

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