We all lead busy lives juggling responsibilities of work, parenthood and/or extra-curricular activities that drive us away from our homes. But when we come back home at the end of the day, we hope to relax, refresh, recharge and reconnect with loved ones.

Unfortunately, that's not always the reality.

Did you know that your interior design could be hindering the way you feel, affecting your mood, or even getting in the way of you and your family? Interior Design Psychology is dedicated to the study of how environmental conditions affect people.

Here are some decor tips that will improve your mood, promote well-being and help you life your best life:

LIGHT

It's a fact that too much or too little light can disrupt the body’s natural sleep cycle which can lead to stress. Ask any new parent and they will confirm that chronic sleep deprivation leads to all kinds of mood and health issues including headaches, depression, and a suppressed immune system.

By knowing this fact, you can be proactive and design your home for adequate lighting so you can enhance sleep and encourage proper physical and psychological repair. Opt for natural light whenever possible.

AIRFLOW AND CIRCULATION

If you've ever been to Las Vegas then you know casinos have mastered the art of thermal comfort to manipulate our emotional state. They control the temperature, humidity and pump extra oxygen to keep gamblers awake and spending money.While their mission maybe sinister, you can borrow this knowledge for the purpose of creating a positive environment at home.

Studies have shown the ideal awake temperature is 70.8 degrees and sleeping temp is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Strategically placed indoor plants will naturally purify the air, improving its quality, and promote wellness!

COLOR

Color is a powerful way to influence mood. Certain colors have been associated with increased blood pressure, increased metabolism, and eyestrain, so selecting the right colors in the right rooms can promote desired behaviors and moods. Here are some guidelines:

• Blue - calm, tranquil, peace - perfect for bedrooms and family rooms

• Purple - luxury, passion - ideal in master bath or in formal living room

• Red - high energy, passion, appetite - goes well in kitchens

• Yellow - happy, carefree - can be used in any room

• Green - nature, alleviates stress - best for entryways

• Orange - enthusiasm, esteem, joy - great in any room

• White - purity, calmness - ideal in bedrooms and bathrooms

• Black - power - used sparingly in studies and offices

SPACE

Much like color, people can perceive space differently. For example, when put in the same room men feel more crowded than women do, neat huh? But generally speaking there are some general assumptions that influence our feelings about the space around us, such as:

VAULTED CEILINGS

High ceilings are linked to elevated moods, induce clarity of thought, and increase energy.

OPEN LAYOUTS VS. PARTITIONS

Sometimes having a completely open layout is actually counter productive and can give the perception of crowding if the spaces are occupied all have visibility to one another. In some cases, partitions are actually a good way to increase space perception through privacy.
 

MIRRORS

Mirrors are a great way to reflect light, and give the illusion of a larger space when strategically placed.

WINDOWS

Views of the outdoors increase the perception of space and help people feel less claustrophobic, closed in, and reduce the feeling of crowding. Whenever possible, do not obstruct windows and try to use window-treatments that give the illusion of larger windows.

If you need help making your home a more joyful place to live in, feel free to reach out to us for a free design consultation. We're here to help make home your happy place!