Home Improvement that could make you happier

Money magazine in its latest issue published a survey report that it conducted with home improvement store Lowes about American homeowners and the impact of their houses on their overall happiness. Lowes being involved in the survey, I would consider this more like a marketing thing than a scientific or psychological study, but there are few recommendation made in this article that are interesting and sure to caught your attention:

• Hide the TV - The report says, more you watch the TV, you tend to overestimate the affluence of other people and as a result you become less happy. Recommendation is to hide the TV behind a wood panel or something so that you watch less TV. Beware couch potatoes:-)
• Raise the ceiling - Article points out that researchers have concluded that people think more freely and creatively in rooms with 10 foot ceilings than in those with 8 foot ones. Now you know why universities buildings and classrooms have 15 foot ceilings. 
• Using different lighting - People find harder to connect with others in a room filled with uniform lighting. The recommendation is to install multiple sources of lighting(under cabinet lighting in study area, recess in gathering area, and a hanging fixture at the island. Wow, thats something I never thought about. Can be easily experimented with cheap lighting fixtures from Ikea. 
• Use 24" monitor - If you work on computer, researchers have found that you are more productive on a 24" monitor and work 52% faster than working on a 18" monitor. LG and samsung have brought some nice LED monitors which are very pleasing if you work on graphics and multimedia stuffs. 
• keep desk chair at right spot - Experts say, you will be happier and more productive if you have a direct view of door and a window. If you can't have a window overlooking natural beauty, a nature photo or artwork is effective too.

Let me know what you think...