How Interior Design Can Influence Your Mental Health
Your interior design can play a sneaky, yet significant role in your mental health. Yes, you heard that right – it's not just about picking pretty curtains, it's a full-on emotional experience! If you read our blog on how color impacts your mood, you probably remember why a certain blue makes you feel like you’re on cloud nine. However, there’s more than just color that affects your mental health – for example, sunlight? It's like a happy pill for your room. Spaciousness? Gives us room to think and breathe. Plants and flowers? Nature’s own stress busters. Natural elements like wood and stone? They bring the calm of the outdoors inside. And artwork? It's the soul of your space.
While a well-put-together room can be your happy place, a not-so-great one can be a bit of a downer. It’s kind of like wearing socks with sandals… a questionable choice. It’s important to keep in mind how our spaces affect our mental health when we’re designing our home, so I want to share what I’ve learned from Houston interior designer, James Holloway. Since we extensively covered color psychology last year, I’ll focus on the other elements!
Sunshine Therapy
Sunlight isn't just great for selfies; it's actually a mood booster. Soaking in some rays can make you happier and there's science behind it – here is a case study. Having less sun in our lives can make us feel a bit down or anxious. If you have any friends or family in Canada or a place that doesn’t get much sun throughout the year, chances are that they are low in Vitamin D, and what does a Vitamin D deficiency cause? Symptoms of depression! This is why keeping your home too dark can have a mood-dampening effect. Read more, benefits of sunlight.
So how do we put this into practice through interior design? When it comes to your home, think about letting in as much sunshine as you can. Big windows, maybe some fancy bifold doors, or how about a skylight? More importantly, set up your furniture where you can bask in that lovely Houston sunlight. You can trade those heavy curtains for something lighter, or go bare on windows where you don't necessarily need privacy. Another design tip from James Holloway that I learned from James Holloway was to use mirrors to spread that sunshine all around your room. It's like having extra windows without the construction hassle!
Tame the Chaos, Free Your Mind
You know that feeling when your stuff seems to be staging a silent rebellion against you? Turns out, it's not just your imagination – clutter can totally mess with your head. Studies have found that clutter in the home can spike stress levels as much as PTSD. Our lives are messy, chaotic, and hey, that's okay. We've got kids treating the floor like their personal closet, life's little keepsakes, and just stuff. Lots and lots of it.
If you don’t have the Holloway Design Group to give you a magazine-worthy interior, you can still make your space work with your beautifully messy life. Smart storage solutions are your new best friends. Embrace your lifestyle in your interior design – that's the secret sauce to better design and improved mental health. And who knows, maybe you'll find your inner peace hidden under that pile of laundry! Here’s a study by Princeton University discussing the impact of clutter.
Blending Nature with Art
Researchers have found that plants aren't just pretty to look at – they actually help us focus better and remember stuff more easily. And as if that wasn't enough, they also dial down our stress levels in addition to pumping out oxygen and sprucing up our air quality. There's just something about being surrounded by bits of nature that calms the mind and makes you feel more... human.
Let's jazz it up with some art and decorative pieces. The right piece of art can lift your spirits, spark inspiration, or even be a conversation starter. So, when picking out art, think about what makes you feel good. What speaks to your soul? Is it vibrant colors, serene landscapes, funky abstracts?
Imagine a room with warm, natural wood tones, a big, leafy plant in the corner, sunlight filtering in through the window, and a piece of art that just makes you smile every time you see it.
Interior Design That Speak to the Soul
From the soothing power of sunlight to the calming presence of plants, and the mood-lifting magic of art, we've seen how every detail in our homes can shape our daily lives.
Speaking of well-being, did you know that our friends at Aesthetic Lab, a top-notch Houston Med Spa, are experts in enhancing personal wellness and beauty? Just like how the right interior design can elevate your mood and mental health, their specialized treatments can rejuvenate your body and spirit.
At the Holloway Design Group, we're not just about making spaces look good; we're about creating environments that make you feel fantastic, too. Let your space be a reflection of what you love – whether that's a mini jungle, an art gallery, or a blend of both. Get in touch and speak to James Holloway, a leading Houston interior designer.