Mental health is something everyone should care about since it is a big part of what makes up our overall health and wellness, or at the very least we should have more awareness about it. With May recognized as mental health awareness month, it is important to recognize that interior design is closely related to mental health and your overall well-being. This makes sense because our homes are a reflection of who we are!
When thinking of your home, does it excite you? Does it make you feel calm? Does it give you the feeling of being in an oasis? Or, does your home make you irritable, stressed, and distracted? Most people will relate more to the negative feelings of their home if they don’t know how to adjust their designs to align with their well-being, or are adjusting in a way that brings the opposite of the desired feeling.
When designing or redesigning an interior, it is crucial to revolve around the needs (and wants) of a client while creating a space that is functional but still aesthetically pleasing. With the right colors, textiles, mood, and proper space planning you can create a positive, stress-free space that you’re more excited to come home to after a long day. There have been numerous studies regarding how interior design places a big part in the healthcare setting. “Patients in hospital rooms with more daylight and views of nature reported lower levels of stress and anxiety. Another study found that employees who had control over the design of their workspaces reported higher levels of satisfaction and productivity” (Interiors Revitalized, 2022).
Here are some ways to update your home to improve your mental health and your well-being;
Change your color scheme: Cooler colors such as blues, greens, and lavender tend to calm and have a relaxing effect. Incorporating these colors into a bedroom or living room is the best way to relieve stress and give you a positive headspace to relax and enjoy all your favorite activities (read more on how colors affect our mood from our blog post: Color and Emotion).
Bringing the outside in: Don’t be afraid to incorporate nature inside, even if it’s with faux plants and flowers instead of real ones (trust us, we’ve all been there with not having the greenest of thumbs). Also incorporating water features can bring inner peace, almost as serene as being at a spa! Even the simplest things as adding a photo of a plant in your bathroom or hallway can bring ease to all areas of your space.
Organization is key: No one likes accidental clutter, but sometimes it can be hard to keep an organized home with a busy life and family. By working with designers or organization experts, you are sure to create a home that is effortless to maintain and offers more storage solutions, in general, that work best for you and your lifestyle.
Get comfy! Being comfortable is the easiest way to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Whether it’s a large chair that you just sink into or a couch where the whole family can curl up next to each other, comfort is a necessity to unwind after a long day. A comfy blanket and poofy pillow may just be the cherry on top, some may disagree, but too many pillows are never enough!
We hope these tips help you as you think more deeply about your mental health this month and every month.
XOXO,
