According to the EPA, parents spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, much of it at home with their families.
Your home should make you smile, not stress you out. Designing for joy isn’t about following trends or copying glossy magazine spreads; it’s about creating a space that lifts your mood, makes life easier, and feels like you.
From the moment your feet touch the floor in the morning (often earlier than you’d like, thanks to little ones) to the soft glow of a lamp in the evening, every detail has the power to shape how you feel. And the secret is to design with happiness in mind, not just to make the place look pleasing.
What it really means to design for joy
Designing for joy is about emotion, not perfection. It’s that little sigh of relief when you walk through the door after a long day. It’s the cosy warmth of the living room on a rainy Sunday or the light that dances across the kitchen tiles while making breakfast.
When we design with joy in mind, we stop chasing flawless interiors and start building homes that make us feel good. It’s about surrounding yourself with colours that make you smile, materials that feel right in your hands, and spaces that work for real life —i.e., kids, pets, muddy boots, and all.
Creating zones that work for homework, play, and relaxation
Choosing furniture that can handle real family life
A joyful home tells your story. It’s filled with familiar textures, comforting scents, and small details that quietly say, “this is our home”. Research from the Journal of Environmental Psychology confirms that personalised spaces significantly reduce family stress levels.
Why happiness deserves a place in every design plan
We often talk about function and style in interiors, but happiness rarely gets a mention, which is a real shame because our surroundings can have a bigger impact on our mood than we realise.
Bright spaces tend to lift energy levels, while softer, natural tones help calm a busy mind. A clutter-free room can make mornings run more smoothly, and a cosy corner can become your daily reset spot, even if it’s just five minutes with a cuppa before the chaos begins.
The science behind happy homes:
Natural light exposure increases serotonin production by 30%
Organised spaces reduce morning stress for 73% of families
Good design can’t fix everything, but it can make daily life more enjoyable. It’s the kind of quiet happiness that builds up over time, like stepping onto warm wooden flooring on a chilly morning or catching the smell of baked goods in the kitchen.
The role of flooring in a joyful home
Flooring might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to happiness, but it has a surprisingly big influence on how a home feels. It sets the foundation for everything else… literally.
Think about it: flooring is the first thing you feel when you wake up and the last thing you touch before bed. Whether you’re padding barefoot through the kitchen or hosting friends in the living room, it’s always part of the moment.
Key benefits for family homes:
Warmth and comfort: A soft, warm surface underfoot makes every step feel better. Engineered wood and luxury vinyl are both great for maintaining a homely feel without the maintenance. Perfect for those midnight baby checks or early morning school runs.
A sense of calm: Natural wood grains and gentle tones bring a grounding energy into a space. They help rooms feel balanced and peaceful, even when life feels anything but.
Light and brightness: Pale flooring reflects light beautifully, making smaller spaces feel airy and open. If you prefer a snug, cocoon-like feel, darker floors create warmth and depth instead.
Ease of living: True joy comes when things just work. Durable, easy-to-clean flooring means fewer worries about muddy paws or spilt tea, and more time spent actually enjoying your home. For families, consider waterproof laminate or luxury vinyl planks that can handle spills, toys, and heavy traffic.
Flooring quietly supports the whole mood of your home. It can add texture, warmth, and personality in ways that go far beyond what’s underfoot.
Simple ways to design for joy
You don’t need to start from scratch to make your home more joyful. A few thoughtful changes can make a big difference.
Quick wins for busy families:
Play with light: Use mirrors and warm lighting to create brightness and a sense of space. Try battery-operated LED strips for instant under-cabinet lighting, no electrician needed!
Add nature: Plants, wood textures, and natural materials help soften a room’s look and boost wellbeing. Choose low-maintenance options like snake plants or pothos that survive busy family life.
Bring in personal touches: Family photos, handmade crafts, or travel keepsakes make your space truly yours. Create a rotating gallery wall for children’s artwork – it’s a confidence booster for kids and adds personality to your home.
Choose comfort first: From your flooring to your seating, prioritise pieces that feel good to use every day. Invest in washable slipcovers and memory foam rug pads for family-friendly comfort.
Keep it calm: Joy often grows in simple, uncluttered spaces. Clear surfaces and clever storage can instantly lift the mood. Implement a nightly 15-minute family reset where everyone tidies their zone.
At the end of the day, the best homes are the ones that make you smile when you walk through the door. Designing for joy means thinking about the everyday moments that make life feel good; whether that’s the feel of your kitchen floor as you make your morning brew or the glow of sunlight bouncing across your living room.
Remember: Perfect homes don’t exist, but happy homes do. Start with one small change – perhaps better lighting in your most-used room or a cosy reading corner for bedtime stories. Small steps lead to big transformations in how your family experiences home.
FAQs about creating a happy family home
Q: How can I maintain a joyful home with young children? A: Focus on durable materials, smart storage, and designated play zones. Remember that “lived-in” is beautiful when it reflects a happy family life.
Q: How do I handle different family members‘ style preferences? A: Keep shared spaces neutral while allowing personal expression in bedrooms. Let children have input in their own spaces while maintaining overall home cohesion.
Q: Can I achieve this on a budget? A: Absolutely! Paint, reorganisation, and thrift store finds can work wonders. Focus on one area at a time rather than overwhelming yourself (and your budget).
Q: How do I know if my design choices are working? A: Watch your family’s behaviour. Do they gravitate to certain spaces? Do mornings feel calmer? Are bedtimes smoother? Your family’s happiness is the best measure of success.
About this guide
This guide was developed in collaboration with interior designers who specialise in family homes and reviewed by child development experts to ensure all recommendations support family wellbeing.
*Collaborative feature post*
Cotswold extendable 6 person dining table and chairs review
As a large family of six, we have outgrown our regular four-person Ikea dining set (we’ve gone through our fair share of dining tables over the years.) On the lookout for a sturdy 6-person dining table and chairs, we were gifted this rather luxurious 6-seater dining table from Cherry Lane Garden Centres*. Read on for a full review of the Cotswold Oak Medium Dining Table Set with 6 Brown Milan Chairs*, currently at 25% off!
What is included with the 6 person dining table with chairs?
1 x Cotswold Oak Medium Extending Dining Table
6 x Milan Brown Dining Chairs
First impressions of the 6 seat dining table set
Our first impressions of the dining table were how big, sturdy and high quality the chairs look. The solid hardwood feels strong enough to withstand active kids and the table has a lovely oak finish.
Was the dining table 6 seater easy to use/put together?
Yes, it was very easy. You lay the main table part flat and you screw the legs on with the screws provided.
The dining table is very heavy, so I struggled to move it across the rug in the dining room. The chunky legs came off the hinges slightly. Now, it’s a little wobbly, so I would always recommend lifting the table with two people and don’t be silly like me and try to drag it yourself.
How to use the 6 seat dining table
You can use the 6 person dining table and chairs for eating, studying, reading, socialising, whatever you want! The table is strong enough at least for a family of six with two extra guests.
Was the 6 seater table comfortable?
We’ve used the 6 person dining table and chairs for eating, dining, talking and resting and we felt very comfortable while doing so. Even our toddler can sit down comfortably on the chair to eat.
What are the pros of using the Cotswold dining table?
The dining table and 6 chairs is the perfect size to fit in a small dining room so you don’t require a massive dining space to house a table for 6 to 8 people. It’s quite compact and very sturdy with a lovely flat surface in which to dine, study and socialise. The chairs are comfy enough to relax at the dining table.
What are the cons of using the dining table and 6 chairs?
The legs gave away slightly when I tried to drag the table over the rug, which was entirely my fault. They’re a bit wobbly now, but as long as you don’t make the same mistake I can see real longevity with the 6 person dining table and chairs, especially the seats which are built to last.
What would the dining table and 6 chairs be useful for?
My eldest used the 6 person dining table and chairs for the bulk of his 11+ revision and it was a comfortable area in which to have his tuition too.
The dining table is also great for hosting, relaxing and of course dining with a large family like ours.
Is this Cotswold dining table set for 6 worth the money?
If you’re looking for a dining table for 6 with chairs to fit your home decor furniture, then this is the set for you.
You’ll be hard pushed to find an extendable sturdy oak dining table that’s under £1,000, especially with six good quality chairs like the soft Milan chairs. Yet this dining table and chairs set is just £659* which is 25% off from the RRP price of £889!
What is my overall opinion of the Cotswold dining table and 6 chairs?
I love the chairs – they’re so soft and comfortable and having six of them means everyone gets to enjoy dining in comfort. The oak table is large enough for a family of six without extending it, so you can fit the table in a nice snug area like our dining room area and still have space to enjoy. If you have a larger space, you can extend the dining table further for 8 people. I love the oak finish and it withstands my toddler constantly etching and scribbling as well, albeit there’s a little wear and tear.
Ease of use
The dining table is easy to dine on and study with, and there’s plenty of space for people to enjoy. The chairs fit comfortably under the table so there’s plenty of space for legs too and the table has a nice finish so you can write on top easily.
Fits the purpose
The 6 person dining table and chairs is now the main hub of our home – I used to love studying for my 11+ and later GCSEs on the dining table at home and now my kids are following suit. We paint, eat, socialise, chat and work on the table and so it has become our favourite space in which to bond.
Style and comfort
As far as kitchen dining table products go, I think this dining table, especially the chairs is one of the most comfortable I’ve had so far. The 6 person dining table size is perfect for our dining space – not too big, but big enough to enjoy plenty of space.
If you have the space, you can fit this dining table at the end of your living room or in its separate dining room and it will fit nicely because everything seems quite compact, considering the size.
Functionality
The 6 person dining table and chairs does what it says on the packaging. It’s very easy to put together and extend when you need it – there are no other gimmicks needed.
For under a grand price tag, this 6 person dining table and chairs are surprisingly good quality and perfect for what we need.
Extendable table usability
We have not needed to extend the table yet so we have only ever extended for review purposes. However, it’s very easy to do and it provides a nice bit of extension when you have guests coming over. It’s not needed though because the non-extended table is long enough as it is.
Chair quality
The chairs are the favourite part of this dining table set! They are comfortable, soft and sturdy, so perfect for kids of all ages!
This 6 person dining table is 180cm x 90cm by 78cm long but table lengths can change with the design and manufacturer.
What are good alternative uses for a Dining Room?
We used to use our dining room area as a playroom before we added our 6 person dining table and chairs.
How much does a dining room table and chairs cost?
A 6 person dining table and chairs, especially an extendable one with 6 chairs would cost around the region of £800 to beyond £1,000. This dining table set is just £659 at the moment, so I would jump at the chance of buying at this price before it goes back up!
*We were gifted the Cotswold dining table and 6 chairs for the review, but all thoughts are 100% our own
*All links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you click through to buy at no extra cost to you.
Review of JML Products
There are some products you have in your house that becomes your staple to help you survive the daily multitude of tasks you have every day. I am a big believer of getting help from innovative products, so I have taken to JML, the website that aims to make everyday easier for families, to find products that will help me deal with my neverending house chores, including feeding the kid.! Here is my review of four of JML’s products:
The BPA Free JML Poppin’ Corn Microwave Popcorn Maker is designed for you to enjoy your favourite snack in under two minutes. You simply add around 30g of popcorn kernels into the red pot, close the transparent lid into place and then pop the pot into the microwave for around 90 seconds (although we found most of the popcorn kernels would pop in two minutes). When the popcorn is popped, you simply open the lid and enjoy directly from the Poppin’ Corn bowl, with your own seasonings added for a new delicious taste every time.
Specs
Measures approximately 15.5cm high
Dishwasher safe – to clean just take out the Poppin corn and place the separate parts into the top rack of the dishwasher.
You don’t need to add anything extra like butter or oil
The double walled design makes the pot cool to touch after microwaving
Recommended cooking times are 3 minutes 10 seconds for 700w microwave and 1 minute 30 seconds for 1000w microwave
Price: £14.99
How to make the popcorn
Pour in around 30g of popcorn kernels to the Poppin’ Corn and shake well.
Put the lid on and place in the microwave on high for 90 seconds (or according to your microwave’s strength)
If you hear the pops slow down to 1 to 2 per second, then your popcorn is ready
Take the Poppin’ Corn out of the microwave, pop open the lid and enjoy with your favourite seasoning.
Some kernels will not pop which is normal
Our Opinion
It’s a great design for a quick popcorn snack. However, we found it tricky to slide the lid open and close when using. Sometimes the popcorn kernels burned because there were a good few amounts of unpopped kernels left. I would recommend microwaving for around two minutes for an 800w Microwave and giving it a good shake after one minute before popping it back in the microwave. Other than that, it’s a useful small tool for the kitchen, and you don’t need to add butter or oil too, which makes the popcorn even healthier.
The JML Poppin’ Corn Microwave Popcorn Maker is currently unavailable on JML’s website, but you can buy the Popcorn Maker from other selected stores.
Rating: 4/5 – It’s a nifty idea to encourage healthier snacks for kids who don’t have time to wait. In under two minutes, they have a snack they can enjoy from, so no wastage and no extra washing up!
Aero 360 Pro
“Dries and irons your clothes all at once” JML
The Aero 360 Pro is designed to dry and iron your clothes straight from the washing machine, without the need for tumble drying, ironing or steaming. Just place the damp clothes over the inflatable bag like you would put it on a hanger and add a few weight clips, then turn it on. The hot air circulates around the bag using an inbuilt fan, which inflates the bag and fills your shirt, tee shirt, jumper or even suit jacket. The heat and tension push the creases out so that you don’t need to iron the shirt afterwards. The Aero 360 Pro aims to speed up the long process of drying and ironing a shirt and saves you money on dry cleaning bills for suits and shirts, by doing it all at once. The Aero 360 Pro is also perfect for delicates like cashmere and silk.
Specs
Colour: White
Dimensions: Box: 46.5 x 24 x 35cm – The unit: 58.5 x 16.2 x 100cm
The Aero 360 Prod Balloon gets very hot during use, do not touch the balloon.
Once the garment is dry, switch off the Aero 360 Pro and allow the garment to cool for a few minutes before removing
Price: £79.99
How to use:
Plug the Telescopic rod into the recess on the top of the Motor unit
Place the Hanger onto the Telescopic rod – make sure that the slight bend in the Hanger points forwards
Attach the Nylon balloon:
Pull it over the Hanger – makes sure that the side with the hole line points forwards
Pull the Small elastic rod at the top, over the collar section on the Hanger
Pull the Large elastic cord at the bottom over the Mounting flange
The device is dissembled in reverse order
Set the height that you want by opening the clip and pulling out the telescopic rod, then closing the lip again
Pull on the Nylon balloon which should sit immediately below the Mounting flange so that it can fully inflate
Pull the garment which is to be pressed over the Nylon balloon and the Hanger and do up the buttons if necessary. Make sure that the collar is fitted over the hole on the Nylon balloon and the arms fit correctly in the sleeves, so they are not twisted or scrunched up.
Spread the clamps along the bottom so that it is weighted down and will not go out of shape when the Nylon balloon is inflated
Plug the Aero 360 Pro in and turn the timer clockwise. Set it to the length of time that you want. Each LED light represents five minutes
Once the Nylon balloon has inflated, straighten out the garment and smooth it down again.
When the set time elapses, the device will turn off automatically. You can stop the process at any time by turning the timer to the starting position
Remove the garment from the Nylon balloon and Hanger and allow the device to cool down completely.
Full instructions can be found on JML Direct’s website.
Our Opinion
I have two boys who attend school and a husband who goes to work, so washing, drying and ironing three sets of shirts take up so much of my time. Plus I hate ironing, so I found this Aero 360 Pro to be a time saver for me. You can literally place the shirt on the device, dry it and then the shirt can be used straight away. I found the Aero 360 Pro really easy to use and the LED timer is a useful tool to check how long your shirt has got left to dry. I did find that the humidity in the air increased, but just pop open a window when using and you’ll be fine. I would place a towel under the Aero 360 Pro as well, as there may be excess water from the garment on the floor. The only issue I would say it has is the cost to run as the device uses up a lot of electricity. Smaller sized shirts can also be challenging to steam as they’re hard to clip to the sizeable inflatable bag. Other than that, I’d definitely recommend if you hate ironing and want to save time on your laundry chores.
Rating: 4/5 – Expensive but a timesaver and as I’m a working mum, the latter is more critical for me.
Trash Tidy: Rubbish Bag Dispenser & 15 x 50L Bin Bags/Liners
“Conveniently dispenses bags from inside your bin and mounts on cabinet doors, inside drawers, on walls & more.” JML Direct
The Trash Tidy is designed to store and replace bags and bin liners easier, cleaner and quicker. Instead of finding, selecting and unrolling rolls of liners, you can fit them into the bin for easier access, by using the bin dispenser that fits into the bottom of any bin over 22cm in diameter. It sits beneath the current liner so that when it’s time to change the bag you just pull the full bag out and the next one follows to take its place. Trash Tidy comes with screw and hoop & loop fixing options too, so that you can mount it onto walls, drawers or anywhere else that you need to store and access bin bags on rolls up to 20 x 7cm Long.
Specs
Trash Tidy
A strip of adhesive hook & loop fastener
15 x 50-litre bin bag roll
Price: £12.99
Our opinion
We have three bins in our house, for separating and recycling so we thought it would be better to mount this Trash Tidy onto our drawer’s wall, next to where the bins sit. Also if the bin bag happens to leak then the Trash Tidy would be dirty, so we just figured it would be better to keep it away from the bins, even though that was what the Trash Tidy’s purpose was for. It’s great value for money, especially as the Trash Tidy came with 15 bin liners too, which are strong and sturdy. The Trash Tidy was easy to mount onto the wall, and the bin liners came out quite quickly, without ripping. It is definitely a great tool for storing bin bags, so they’re not amongst all the other riff-raff in the kitchen.
Rating: 5/5 – The price is affordable, and the Trash Tidy does its job of keeping bin bags safe and secure to access.
Pheonix Gold FreeFlight Bundle
“The Phoenix Gold FreeFlight Bundle provides you with the best products that JML has, in one price… for the ultimate ironing experience.” JML Direct
The Phoenix Gold FreeFlight
The Phoenix Gold FreeFlight boasts up to 2400W of power and with a steam output of 14g/minute, so it allows you to iron several layers at once. The steam blast function helps to remove the most stubborn of creases by releasing a quick shot of steam, either vertically or horizontally, so it allows you to quickly remove wrinkles or freshen clothes on the hanger.
FastFit Ironing Board Cover Ultimate
The Ultimate FastFit Ironing Board Cover uses the latest technology and materials to deliver an easy to use and quick ironing experience. It has a unique 3- layer construction and provides a cotton-top cover and thick felt-underlay, which is non-slip and dense, so it allows for optimum heat reflection and crease removal. The non-elasticated FastFit system keeps the cover securely in place.
Ironing Genie
The Ironing Genie is simply designed as a sprung to perfect sleeves with no wrinkles and creases. You place the Ironing Genie inside the spring, and it will spring out against the seams creating a flat sleeve and a shoulder-to-cuff crease where you require it. When you’re done, the Ironing Genie comes with a magnetic clip that you can attach to your ironing board so you can clip your Ironing Genie in it until the next sleeve needs ironing.
Specs
Power: 2000 – 2400W
Set includes:
Phenoix Gold FreeFlight
1 x Phoenix Gold FreeFlight Cordless Iron
1 x Docking base with 1.9m power cord
1 x Water jug
Instruction manual
Soleplate care information card ironing Genie
1 x Spring fork
1 x Magnetic holder
Instructions Ultimate Ironing Board Cover
1 x Ultimate Ironing Board Cover
Phoenix Gold Free Flight Iron
220-240V 50/60Hz
Power: 2000 – 2400W
370ml Water tank
Overheat protection
Ready to use Thermostat light orange Indicator Ironing Board Genie
2500 gauss magnet
Stainless steel Ultimate Ironing Board Cover
Top layer – 100% Cotton
Middle layer – 100% Polyurethane
Bottom layer – 100% Polyester
Care:
Spot clean with a damp cloth.
Do not wash
Do not bleach
Do not tumble dry
Do not dry clean
Weights: Gross – 2.23kg / Net – 1.71kg
Colours: Multi
Dimensions: Pheonix Gold FreeFlight: Box: 20 x 18 x 33cm | Unit: 14 x 0.9 x 5.6cm | Ironing Board Cover: Pack: 25 x 6 x 35cm
Our opinion
Rating: 3/5 – The Pheonix Gold FreeFlight Iron glides easily onto clothes, and the fact that it is cordless makes it easy to iron in any direction. However, I found the plate getting very dirty quickly and the water tank kept leaking onto the clothes which was frustrating at times. It doesn’t stay hot for long as well, so you have to keep putting it back on its mount to heat up. Other than that it’s a good iron.
Rating: 3/5 – The FastFit Ironing Board Cover Ultimate was too big for my ironing board, so it slipped off a lot when ironing, which is frustrating. However, if it did fit then I would see this as a good sturdy cover to hold the heat of an iron. It’s just a shame it doesn’t sit properly on my ironing board.
Rating: 4/5 – The Ironing Genie is a useful, simple design and it does help to keep the sleeves crease free and flat. However, I found myself forgetting to use it and so if you have it, it’s great to use. If not, I don’t think you’d miss it.
Overall, the JML products I reviewed were useful tools in the house, and I did find myself saving time when using these products. My favourite of the four was the Aero 360 Pro, which helped me save time on drying and ironing shirts. This meant that I didn’t require the Phoenix Gold FreeFlight Bundle as much and the Ironing Genie was forgotten about. The JML Poppin’ Corn Microwave Popcorn Maker is a great tool for making popcorn snacks for the kids, and so I use this all the time.
* Items were gifted for the purpose of a review – all thoughts are 100% our own.
* Please note that all prices are correct as at 13th February 2019 – rates may vary after this date
