Most of us spend a huge majority of our time in our homes. Interior design in the home is an important factor which highly contributes to our mental health and productivity. Our surroundings within the home can play a considerable role in our moods, so it’s key to make some conscious decisions when thinking about interior design.
Interior designer Ryan McDonough from MyJobQuote.co.uk has conjured up this list of the best interior design changes to help improve your mental health and create wellness within the home.
Minimise The Clutter
It is a well-known fact that clutter can often cause stress. A lot of clutter doesn’t contribute to a peaceful or relaxing environment. It’s best to aim to keep on top of decluttering regularly so that you don’t have to subject yourself to those huge clear-outs that we all dread.
If there is something in your home that you haven’t used in the last year, you don’t need it. Throw this item away, sell it, gift it to a friend, or donate it. It’s also important to look at the items in your home and ask yourself whether each item sparks joy. If an item doesn’t spark joy, get rid of it.
Consider opting for better storage solutions to help keep the clutter at a minimum. A sense of more space can help to improve your mood and boost productivity. With the right kind of furniture, lighting, designs, and colour schemes, you can easily create a mood-boosting space in any home. Mirrors and glass are also great components for helping to make your home seem bigger and more spacious.
Invite Natural Light Into The Home
Natural sunlight is very aesthetically pleasing, and it’s also great for helping to boost your mood and increase your productivity. Natural sunlight can help bring out happiness, make you feel more energetic, and boost your creativity and motivation.
Exposure to natural sunlight triggers a release of serotonin. This is a natural chemical in the body which is associated with improving your mood, encouraging feelings of calmness, and reducing negative mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
When thinking about the design of your home, it’s important to factor in natural light. Consider installing some larger windows, skylights, glass doors and anything else that will encourage natural light to enter your home. Mirrors are great for helping to spread the light through your home further. Plus, well-placed furniture can help to ensure the light flows through your home freely.
Bring The Nature Inside
Humans are very connected to nature. With most of us spending a lot of time indoors, it’s key to try to bring some nature into your space. The desire to be in nature is part of our DNA, and when we come into contact with nature, this is an instant boost for our mental health and allows us to feel more revitalised and relaxed.
When thinking about interior design, consider incorporating some biophilic designs in your home. It’s also very beneficial to bring some live plants into the home, as plants can make us feel much happier and calm. Plants are also great for helping to reduce anxiety and stress, and they can also help improve cognitive ability, making them perfect for placing in home offices. Combine these elements with natural materials such as stone and wood, and choose nature-inspired colours such as browns, greens, and earthy tones.
Many plants act as natural air filters. This can help to improve the air quality in your home, increase oxygen levels, and reduce allergens. With this in mind, plants are great for not only our mental health but our physical health as well.
Choose The Right Colours
Colours are very important when it comes to improving mental health. The psychology of colours is something that has been studied a lot, and research has found that the colours used in the home can affect our feelings and mood quite significantly.
Muted colours such as tan and beige can work very well when combined with biophilic designs. This can invite feelings of airiness and calmness and can make the home feel more relaxed. These colours also work very well in minimalist homes as the colours aren’t heavily distracting.
If you want to add some pops of colour, certain shades of blues and greens are perfect. Try to choose more nature-inspired shades rather than going for bold shades. Bold colours can often feel too overwhelming.
Make Space For Socialising
Many people often feel isolated or alone in their own homes – particularly those who live alone. One of the best things you can do to improve your mental health is to create a space that opens up opportunities for socialising.
A well-designed home can encourage social activities. This is a great way to reduce feelings of loneliness and despair. Even when you are alone in the home, you will have the constant reminder that you’re not alone permanently.
Kitchens, lounges and other communal areas in the home are perfect spaces for creating open, inclusive areas for socialising. Consider the seating choices in these spaces, as seating areas can create spaces where you’re able to form close bonds with others. People feel more comfortable and will be more likely to engage in conversations when seated in a comfortable space in close proximity to other people.
Add Some Luxurious Touches
When it comes to finishing off the home, it’s essential to add some luxury. Everyone wants to live in a luxurious space with tasteful décor. Certain furniture choices lack comfort, style, and quality. This can affect our mood quite significantly.
If you don’t like the interior design of your own home, you’ll never be truly happy in your own space. People who are unhappy with the design of their homes will spend hours thinking about the ways they want to change things.
People often make the mistake of associating luxurious items with a high price tag. This isn’t always the case. You can find a range of different interior design elements that are affordable. When it comes to furniture items, you can find quality second-hand pieces at a fraction of the cost of buying something brand new. A few luxurious touches can greatly improve your mood and make you feel much happier in your home.
