“How does the living space impact my client’s daily life and mental health?” Interior Designers must ask this question before designing spaces for their clients.
In today’s episode, I talk about the psychology of design and environmental psychology, and its profound impact on interior design. As I unravel Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, I explore how shelter is a fundamental need that transcends into homes that foster safety, love, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
I also share a challenging year of living through a home renovation that affected my psyche and mental health.
So this episode doesn’t just uncover the challenges; it serves as a guide, offering resources, including TED talks and a recommended textbook, to aid in understanding the psychology of design and environmental psychology.
Whether you are a seasoned designer or just starting in the creative field, awareness of the psychology of the environment is crucial to creating mindful spaces for your clients.
Let’s start transforming spaces with purpose, beauty, and inspiration!
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode
- Gain valuable insights into how the spaces you create impact you and your client’s mental health, productivity, and overall well-being
- Learn practical solutions and resources for navigating the complex intersection of design and psychology
- Be empowered to create purposeful, inspiring spaces that support your client’s mental health and well-being
Check out these episode highlights
02:33 – How you can learn environmental psychology or the psychology of design
03:38 – Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a pyramid that has five different levels of human needs, and its connection to interior design
- Physiological Needs. Shelter is one of the basic fundamental needs. Every human being needs shelter. By designing a house, you are meeting a person’s physiological needs.
- Safety and Security. Designing a clean home environment with fresh air, clean water, proper sanitation, and a secure living space.
- Love and Belonging. Designing a place where one can connect with loved ones and find peace. It’s a safe space that allows a person to focus on meaningful relationships and cultivate intimacy.
- Self Esteem. Designing a home that reflects the homeowner’s personality and interests gives them confidence and a sense of accomplishment. A home that looks like them, exhibits their travels, interests, favorite colors & materials, and is truly theirs.
- Self Actualization. Designing a home that supports growth and nurtures creativity, as every person is creative in their way, and deserves to have a place where they can explore and express their creativity.
06:02 – My personal experience: I discovered a burst water line in the middle of the night causing a flood in our house
09:30 – I and my family endured 10 months of living with a house torn apart due to water damage and insurance delays
10:35 – My recommendation: if you are going through a home renovation, go to Airbnb so you can avoid living through the remodel
11:24 – Self Actualization
- the topmost level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
- encompasses creativity, acceptance, purpose, meaning, and inner potential
11:45 – One of my mottos for my business: Purpose, Beauty, and Inspiration
- I aim to make my clients’ homes purposeful, functional, and tailored to their specific needs, helping them reach their fullest potential.
12:21 – The psychology of home design and its impact on well-being
14:10 – Design psychology and its impact on productivity
Resources & Links
Textbook & Articles
- Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs
- Environmental Psychology for Design
- Environmental Psychology: Building with feeling
- Psychology of Space: How Interiors Impact our Behavior?
Videos
TED Talks
Next Steps
Take the QUIZ!! Find Out What Type of Interior Designer You Should Be!
Grab your freebies:
Join the Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!
Check out the best books every interior designer should have here.
Enroll in Business of Design with Kimberly Seldon or DesignYou with Tobi Fairley today to scale your interior design business!
Email me at [email protected] if you have suggested topics
DM me on Instagram at @rwarddesign if you have a burning question
Leave me a rating and review! Click here.
Thanks for listening. I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week…