I asked experts to help turn my 700-square-foot apartment into a more calming space. Here are 7 easy ways you can do the same in any home.

Having a clean, clear space sets the stage for you to be calm, Melissa Maker, cleaning expert and founder of Clean My Space, a Toronto-based house cleaning service, told Insider.

"When I'm in my messy state of mind, I'm never calm — I'm agitated, frustrated, but when I take the time to do the work, I can be so much more relaxed in my space," she said.

Mark Loewen, therapist and founder of Launchpad Counseling, told Insider that clutter gives our minds more visual information to process.

"By freeing up space, you are giving your mind a break, too," he said.

Once you've identified the most stress-inducing part of your home, Maker said to be sure to notice the clutter in the space that you may see past on a daily basis.

Then set a time limit for how long you'll spend cleaning it and turn off your phone's notifications to stay focused.

As you clear the space, you can work from top to bottom and left to right to stay on task.

If you don't have time to declutter, Loewen says you can quickly start to feel more relaxed by making calming things in your home more accessible.

For example, "if you like lighting candles, keep a lighter right next to them," he said. "This way lighting a candle doesn't require a trip to the kitchen."

Consider adding plants, Loewen says, because studies show that just looking at nature has a calming effect on our brains.

For the same reason, Loewen encourages people to open their blinds while their inside. "If you're working from home, consider sitting in a spot where you can look outside," he said.

Interior designer Annie Santulli told Insider that one of the most important visual ways to reduce stress is by adding natural light.

"I suggest using soft, bright, translucent window coverings to allow as much natural light in every room," she said.

Loewen suggests turning off the TV when you're not watching, and pay attention to how the noise of the TV makes you feel, especially while watching the news — does it make you feel stressed or calm?

If it makes you feel stressed, Loewen recommends swapping out TV for calming music.

Santulli recommends surrounding yourself with soft fabrics in your home.

"I like to add a faux fur or velvet throw blanket," she told Insider. "You can wrap yourself in it and have a soothing way to occupy your hands."

Throw pillows can be calming too, she said.

Artem Zverev, co-founder of the architectural and design studio YoDezeen, recommends separating your space into different sections for different uses.

"This approach will compensate for the lack of social activity," he said.

Dividing up your space doesn't have to be a difficult process — I pinned a tapestry to my ceiling to transform half of my bedroom into a home office.

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