The wellbeing industry has rocketed into the mainstream with self-care and mental health being at the heart of many conversations. The reach of its value has permeated a number of other industries too, with interior design being one of the most apparent.
This trend, however, is not solely one of popular culture. In fact, there have been several studies detailing the evidence that our living spaces and their designs can have a significant impact on our wellbeing. As a result, interior designers are now spending a great deal of time scrutinising the potential a home can have when it comes to supporting and improving mental health.
The following information can be inspirational for those wanting to redesign their home just as it can be useful for those who want to ensure that their living space is optimised to best support their wellbeing. Drawing from leading interior designers, as well as a number of studies focussed on wellness at home, here are the best ways to design your home to benefit your mental health.
Understanding Colour Theory
The reputation of colour’s effectiveness within the home is a rather convoluted one. For every article that describes the associative influence colours can have on mood there is another that describes the personality of a colour scheme as if it were a horoscope.
While this discussion is not easy to untangle, colour schemes remain one of the most important tools a home can have. Consider, for example, the most fundamental impressions colours can have. A space that is painted and curated with bright and bold colours, such as reds and oranges, will inevitably feel more energetic. Whereas those adorned in pastels and cooler colours will feel serene. Depending on the utility of a room and the personality of residents, choosing a complementary colour scheme can be complementary or contradictory.
Space To Escape
Beyond cooking, cleaning, and sleeping, homes must offer the important element of escape. Such a respite allows residents to be free from the external stressors of their professional lives, as well as the potential disruptors of urban living like noise and pollution.
This concept manifests within a home as areas dedicated to relaxation and in rooms not solely used for functional tasks. When such a space exists, residents can feel safe, comfortable, and restored. Log cabins have become popular for this reason, with residents building luxurious outbuildings in their gardens for the purpose of having a bespoke nook within which to feel totally happy.
Welcome Nature
The health benefits associated with being in natural environments are well-defined. They are so well-defined, in fact, that there is an aesthetic movement dedicated to bringing elements of nature into the home for the very purpose of creating living spaces that share the same wellness benefits as natural landscapes.
This aesthetic is known as biophilia and it is one that sees many modern interior design concepts swapped for the rules of nature. Natural light, for example, is paramount, as is airflow. Homes that rely too heavily on artificial light or feel stifled are unlikely to promote wellbeing.
