In the chaos of our daily lives, the spaces we inhabit play a crucial role in shaping our mental well-being. One often overlooked aspects that significantly influences our mental health is interior design. Beyond mere aesthetics, thoughtful design can create environments that nurture our minds, promote relaxation, and contribute to a sense of overall well-being.
Let's explore just some of the ways interior design impacts your mental health.
The Power of Color
The colors surrounding us can have a remarkable impact on our moods and emotions. Warm colors like yellow, orange, and red evoke happiness and increase your energy levels and motivation, while cool colors like blues and greens have been shown to lower your cortisol levels, destress, and promote relaxation.
It's important to be intentional where you place your colors for the maximum benefit and effect. A large area like wall paint, an upholstery fabric, or bedspread is a great way to work with color.
A Good Use of Lighting
We all cringe when thinking of the 90's corporate office - filled with cubicles and fluorescent lighting. Lighting plays a HUGE role on our mental health. For example, fluorescent lighting has been shown to causes headaches and lower one's ability to focus (hence why we rarely see them in office spaces now). The best type of lighting for your mental health is daylight, so it's beneficial to design spaces to maximize on daylight by incorporating large windows and skylights.
Lighting is so important, that there are even interior designers who specialize in this field as the impact lighting has on your mood and behavior is pretty powerful.
Clutter + Organizational Systems
There are many ways in which clutter impacts your mental health, and yet it's an issue so many of us can't seem to solve. While there are many causes of clutter, a huge cause is that lack of proper organization. 80% of our clutter issues regarding a lack of space are actually due to a lack or organization.
Holistic Design focuses to incorporate storage systems that work best for the client and end user. Whether you are neurodivergent and need an open storage shelf for your ADHD brain or you are a mom who needs a better entryway solution for her kids, a good organization system helps to stress less and stay focused.
Biophilic Design
A design trend that has been increasing in popularity for its connection to boosting one's mental health is biophilic design. Biophilic design incorporates elements and inspiration from nature to promote a sense of health, harmony, and positive wellbeing. Certain biophilic tools are the use of living plants, natural materials like cork and wood, and organic patterns in fabrics and upholsteries to mimic the flow of nature.
Efficient Space Planning and Layout
There is nothing more frustrating than a poorly designed kitchen. You get stressed out trying to simply cook a meal. The space plan and layout of your rooms and furniture arrangements impacts your day to day functioning, which can impact your mood.
Holistic design emphasises a proper flow using Feng Shui principles and space plans to you and your family's needs for the space. When you have a home that works for you and your lifestyle, you boost your focus, relaxation, and overall mental wellbeing.
Functional and Comfortable Furniture Selections
There is a reason other than the WFH life that those ergonomic office chairs and standing desks have blow up as a trend. Furniture should be first and foremost functional and comfortable. Aside from the physical health benefits, furniture can impact our mental health. If you've ever sat in an uncomfortable chair for a long period of time, you know how it impacts your headspace.
Personal Touches + Details
Your home is a reflection of you and what you value. When you bring yourself into your home, it fosters a stronger sense of connection and therefore a better mood. Incorporating elements that connect deeply to you, such as personalized decor, family photos, or souvenirs is a great way to boost your happiness and positivity in your home.
In the quest for feeling better and enhancing one's happiness, your home and it's design plays a big role. From space planning and wall paint to those tiny personal touches, your home has the power to promote relaxation, increase focus, and improves one's mood and mental wellbeing.
If you are looking to incorporate the power of holistic design into your home to help it enhance your life, reach out and schedule a call.
Your Holistic Home Helper,
Marissa
