Ever walked into a room and instantly felt a sense of calm, energy, or even unease? It’s not just about the placement of furniture or the paint colour you’ve chosen. Interior design is an amalgamation of using what you have to make your inner space thrive.
It is clear that the connection we have with our living or working space will massively impact our wellbeing. The placement of objects around us will impact our mood, productivity and our overall health.
Here, we’ll take a look at the key elements of interior design and how each one impacts our psychological state.
Colour and painting – more than just the walls
Colour can be an emotional trigger for many. For example, a sunny yellow might evoke feelings of happiness, while blue can bring about a sense of tranquillity and serenity. So, the key here is to find a colour that brings out the best in you emotionally. Let’s take a look at some more examples:
- Cool tones (blues, greens, violets): These are often associated with peace, relaxation, and focus, like we mentioned above. A great way to implement these colours is in bedrooms, home offices or any areas where concentration is key.
- Warm tones (reds, oranges, yellows): Warmer tones are great for evoking feelings of energy and happiness, which is perfect for living rooms, dining areas or social areas in the home.
- Neutrals (whites, greys, beiges): neutral tones give access to a more versatile backdrop, which is great for adding pops or colour and promoting a sense of spaciousness.
However, it’s important to take personal preference into consideration here; something that feels calming to one person might feel triggering to another.
Light
Natural and artificial light both play a vital role in regulating the body’s internal clock that governs our sleep-wake cycle, mood, and hormone production (circadian rhythm). Let’s explore the benefits of both natural and artificial light.
- Natural light: We’ve all heard that the sun increases our vitamin D levels, which boosts our productivity and moods. So, designing spaces keeping natural light in mind is key.
- Artificial light: Artificial light can also significantly determine the mood of an indoor space. Bright, harsh lights can help with focus and alertness, while warmer lights create a more cosy and relaxing atmosphere.
Poor lighting, on the other hand, can lead to eye strain, headaches, and even seasonal affective disorder (SAD). So, it’s worth taking this into consideration when planning how to use your lighting.
Space and layout
The way a space is organised and how we move through it can also significantly impact our sense of comfort and control. Here’s how:
Open-plan vs. walls
When we have an open-plan space in our living space, it can foster a sense of connection as everyone tends to be in one area. On the other hand, having rooms with more confined spaces promotes privacy and a sense of security, which isn’t a bad idea either.
Again, you’ll need to find out what works best for you before deciding on a specific design.
Clutter vs. organisation
A tidy space is a tidy mind, right? Clutter can lead to feeling overwhelmed and anxious, which is counterproductive when you need to focus. A well-organised space will promote a sense of calm and control, which makes it easier to focus and relax.
A top tip here is to implement smart storage solutions!
Flow and circulation
Something that goes hand-in-hand with an organised space is to create a space that flows and circulates well. A well-designed space will allow for easy movement and natural flow between different areas, creating a more harmonious experience in your own space.
Nature
Our innate connection to nature has a huge impact on our well-being, too, and is an important part of maintaining happiness within your living space. So, by incorporating natural elements into the design of your space will automatically bring a sense of calm and enhance your creativity.
Here’s how to incorporate elements from nature in your home:
- Plants: Add indoor plants to your space as they not only add visual appeal but also improve air quality and have been shown to reduce stress and boost mood.
- Natural materials: Use materials, such as wood, bamboo or stone, to create a sense of warmth and connection to nature.
- Nature-inspired patterns and textures: Another way to incorporate nature into your space is to use organic shapes, natural patterns and textures that can trigger the feeling of being outdoors.
- Views of nature: If possible, having spaces that offer views of nature will also add to creating a space that is connected to nature.
Personalisation
Another way of creating a space that promotes your well-being is to personalise it in a way that reflects your values, personality and interests. Do this by incorporating artwork that you like, photographs or objects that bring a sense of belonging and comfort.
When we consider light, space or connection to nature and then personalise this space, we can create environments that both look good and make us feel good. Now, we have a sense of peace and are instantly more productive when we need to be, resulting in an improvement in our happiness.
So, if you’re looking to enhance your space at home, but don’t know where to start, get in touch with The Barn Interiors, where we design spaces that enhance your everyday living. Contact us on 07498719252 for more information!
