Home Harmony

With expert guidance, uncover practices and products that will help create a more balanced and tranquil space in time for 2026

- By Dominique Fluker

It's difficult to be productive or find peace in a cluttered, disorganized home. Our living spaces have a powerful impact on our mental well-being—which means chaotic environments can deplete our energy, strain our physical health and heighten our stress levels. As many of us begin contemplating our “new year, new me” goals, it’s important to include our homes in that vision. Instead of waiting until next year to spring-clean, there’s no time like the present to redesign our spaces for optimized functionality; the joy will naturally follow.

“Clutter and chaos can be draining to our systems,” says Toronto-based psychotherapist Meghan Watson of Bloom Psychology & Wellness. “After long days of working, care-giving, spending our social energy or simply navigating the current world climate, burnout, decision fatigue and mental exhaustion are often inevitable. Processing our stressors when we get home is not made easier when our surroundings are visually disorganized. The goal is to create a home environment, within your capacity and resources, that offers small but meaningful opportunities to nourish yourself and give your nervous system a place to settle.”

Watson suggests establishing a system of tidying up that works for you. From there, you can arrange a home that is clean, aligns with your values and needs, and allows you to be at peace.

“Just as we might prioritize tasks in a big project, to avoid overwhelm and to build momentum, we can approach our home in the same way—focusing on the most critical aspects for functional and relaxed living,” she says. “That might mean editing and letting go of the clutter you no longer connect with. Whatever is most important should be prioritized and given space.