How Interior Design Affects Our Lives
Posted by Alison Johnson on
If you think about it, we are surrounded by interior design on a daily basis. Whether that is in the office you work at, the home you live in, or even your favourite local coffee shop. As well as there being psychological and mental health benefits surrounding interior design, it influences the subconscious mind a lot more than you may realise.
Emotional responses
Have you ever walked into a space and just instantly felt at home? Almost like when you walk into a potential house you are viewing to buy, and something about it just feels right. In an instance your mind decides that something about the house, and the way it is decorated, is completely aligned with your own style.
On the other end of the spectrum, do you ever feel a wave of anxiety when you walk over a shiny, polished floor? Instantly your head is filled with danger signals and your body starts to jump into fight or flight mode.
Although both of these emotional responses are triggered by stimulus in the room you are walking into, the same thing applies to walking into rooms that have different types of internal decor. For example, a well-lit room that has lots of organised shelving areas is likely to boost work productivity.
De-clutter using Marie Kondo
Having a sort through all of your possessions is a great way to change the mood of your house. Ask yourself what items bring value and joy to your lives, and what makes you feel bored or drained. Even a simple rearrangement can transform a room. In a bathroom, for example, why not hide the toilet rolls from plain view with a Cream Coral toilet roll holder.
By taking the time to add accessories that bring a splash of colour or tranquility to a room, you can make it look completely different again. Bringing with it a completely new feeling and string of emotions.
Create a healthy space
Interior designers also focus on creating spaces that provide a healthy and safe environment. Whether that is sourcing sustainable furnishings, or wider door frames to allow for disabled access. It is also important to create rooms for different uses. A space that encourages family time, but also a space for each member of the family. Whether that be a playroom for the children, or a reading room for the parents.
Self-expression
Going back to how a room can make you feel, you want your home to feel just right. Particularly after a long weekend away visiting friends, you should come back and feel a sense of calm as soon as you open your front door. This notion highlights how your home is almost considered a part of you, and your identity.
Building yourself the perfect home helps to stabilise your mind, giving you a true sense of belonging. Don’t worry if it seems to be taking you a long time to decide how to decorate the interior of your house, it is something that needs to take time. As you add the odd accessory here or there, whether that be a bespoke tissue box cover, or a wooden waste paper bin that matches your wallpaper, things will start falling into place.
Positive energy
Another way that interior design affects our emotions is the energy that a room gives out. By creating a comfortable homely space, you will have a much more positive outlook on life. Feng shui is a great way to promote the flow of positive energy within a room, and there are a few tips that can help revitalise your home:
- Don’t put a mirror in front of your bed
- Don’t keep chipped dishes
- Don’t keep water decor in your bedroom
- Keep crystals near a window to deflect the sun’s rays
Remember that the objects that you surround yourself with have the power to affect your emotions, and therefore the flow of energy within a room.
If you are unsure of how to decorate your home, there are lots of magazines, blogs and Pinterest boards full of ideas to get your creative juices flowing. We will also be putting together some mood board ideas within the next few weeks, so keep an eye on our latest articles for that post.