Why thoughtful design has a huge impact on our well-being.
Bold colour + simple, quirky vignettes are at the core of my aesthtic.
Some of my warmest childhood memories are of regularly rearranging my bedroom furniture, painting murals on the back of doors (I’m GenX so my parents were fairly loose), and doing up old furniture with the help of my dad. The end result, a fresh new space which gave me a huge sense of satisfaction and an immense feeling of calm. This was a big deal for such an anxious, overthinking kid. It was no surprise then that this love of recreating spaces travelled into adulthood, across the globe and into a career as an interior stylist. It is my belief that a space created with instinct, thoughtfulness and love will encourage its inhabitants to live their best lives.
The design of the places we inhabit such as our homes, work and community spaces have a profound impact on our mental health and overall well-being. The layout of a space can influence our mood, productivity, stress levels, and even our relationships. By understanding the psychology of space, we can create environments that promote comfort, happiness, and a sense of well-being.
If our toilet is blocked we call the plumber. The lights go out, we summons the electrician. When our car isn’t running smoothly we take it to the mechanic, yet even though we spend the vast amount of our time in our homes and workplace, when these spaces are not functioning at their best we tend to just make do. Like engaging a sparky to rewire your house so all the lights can turn on, seeking professional advice from an interior stylist can greatly improve the mechanisms of a happy healthy living space.
So beginning with some of my favourite design advice when it comes to improving our interior spaces, let’s get started.
Colour Psychology:
Colours can evoke different emotions and influence mood. Soft, neutral colours like blues and greens promote calmness so they are perfect for relaxation areas like reading nooks and bedrooms, unless of course you want to really spice things up by using vibrant colours like red and yellow which can energise and stimulate. These colours are best used on front doors or in high energy areas. Choose colours that align with the desired mood for each room, and of course the colours that make your heart sing.
A colour consultation is a good investment.
Spatial design and flow:
Layout and orientation are important considerations when it comes to your interior. In residential designs, creating a sense of flow between different areas – particularly communal and private spaces is key to fostering mental well-being.
Open plan living promotes interaction and connection while a closed space offers privacy and retreat. Getting the right balance can enhance both social well-being and a sense of personal safety and comfort.
Ensuring clear pathways, enough access and minimal clutter can reduce stress and improve flow.
Making sure furniture, rugs and accessories fit and have plenty of room so it is easy to move in the space.
Bring nature in:
Natural light, views of nature and house plants are essential elements for a calm inducing environment. Having plants in your space has been proven to improve air quality and mental health. If you don’t have a view you can create your own with nature photography and artwork and there are lots of plants that can thrive with minimal sunlight such as Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae genera), Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), Money tree (Pachira aquatica) and Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) just to name a few.
As our awareness of the connection between living spaces and mental health grows, we’ll likely see increasing emphasis on designing homes and communities that prioritise well-being. In the meantime, we can all take small steps to improve our living spaces and enhance our mental well-being. And who doesn’t want to be in a space they feel fabulous in.