Mental health is extremely important. But did you know that your interior design can have a direct impact on how you feel on a daily basis?
It may seem surprising, but the amount of space available in your home, your furniture layout, the colors used throughout your interior design. And even whether your home is cluttered or not can all have an effect on your mental health.
In this article, I will spend some time and go through in detail how different aspects of your interior design can affect your mental health, whether you are looking to make drastic alterations to your home or complete a full renovation. Alternatively, you may be looking to make small furniture changes to one or two rooms. Whatever your goal, there will be some tips for you to take on board within this article.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
The Space Available in your Home
It has been well-founded that the amount of free space available in your home has a positive effect on your mental health and wellbeing. One of the biggest ways to do this is with ceiling height; having a higher ceiling height reduces feelings of confinement and anxiety.
A study conducted by the researchers found that the height of the ceiling impacts subject’s subconscious perception of space and environment. Further, it proved that high ceilings promote creativity and focus whilst also improving the study participant’s mood significantly.
The common design practice of Feng Shui also mentions that any furniture in a room should be placed in such a way that it eliminates any dead space. One of the easiest ways to do this is to place furniture against walls where it can be placed. This eliminates any free space behind the furniture and reduces the negative energy associated with lots of dead space.
Also Read: How to create an Ideal Bedroom According to Feng Shui
Colours
This is perhaps one of the easiest, and least expensive ways to change your interior design to improve your mental health. Changing the colour of rooms in your home to promote the feelings each colour gives off is essential.
Long-wavelength colours such as oranges, yellows, and reds are stimulating, so they can be used in areas of the home like the home office. Short-wavelength colours like greens, blues, and purples are soothing by nature, which makes them perfect colours for the living room.
Of course, you do not need to paint your entire living room purple or blue, but you can incorporate the colour into space by painting different smaller areas and introducing furniture of that colour.
Interior designers also tend to use cream and white colours when they design interior. There are a few reasons for this. Whites and creams allow a feeling of openness and make rooms seem larger and more spacious than they are. Not only this, but they work well with a wide array of colours. So, if you want to add other colours into the interior design, then this is possible with white or cream as a base.
Biophilic Design
It was partway through the 1980s when celebrated biologist E. O. Wilson first put pen to paper and coined the term biophilia to refer to the many different ways that humans seek out connections with nature. Various different studies have concluded that elements of the natural world have a positive effect on mental (and physical) health! Whether it’s through the use of natural light, free-flowing air, organic materials, and plants as well as wildlife into interior design.
There are a number of things you can do to add biophilic design to your interior design. Using natural materials in your decoration such as wool rugs, wooden flooring and ensuring your furniture is made with natural materials where possible is a great place to start!
Organisation
How often have you looked at your home, whether it’s your entire home or just one particular room, and have been filled with dread at the thought of having to clean and de-clutter it? Many times, right?
I understand and have been there plenty of times myself. This feeling links back to the fact that human beings love organized space. You will have heard the saying a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind, and this works for your interior design too!
Also Read: 4 Ways Clutter Harms our Mental Health
As you work to slowly clear away your clutter and free up your space, your mental health will improve significantly because your brain will start to relax. In other words, your brain will make it easier for you to be relaxed and happy.
There are some very surprising benefits to having a clear interior design when it comes to your mental health as well! Your sleep will improve, your stress levels will start to decline, and you will reduce feelings of anxiety and depression! You’ll also find that you are more productive, and your relationships will improve. Another very surprising benefit?
Living in an organized space that is free from clutter will also help you to make better food choices and even stick to a workout regime!
