Interior design hacks to reduce anxiety and improve wellbeing at home
Our homes are our safe havens, the place we go to rest, recuperate, and relax at the end of the day. Homes can have a fundamental effect on not just our mental health, but our physical health too. Everything from the color of a wall, or the art we display, to the amount of clutter in a room can influence our well being.
Having a place we love to call home can have a deeply healing effect and can significantly reduce the effects of our stressful environments. Bearing this in mind, here are some interior design hacks that improve overall wellbeing.
In today’s crazy world (ahem, pandemic) it’s more important than ever to have a safe place that you can relax in.
Calming color palettes
Color has a powerful psychological effect on us. Colors have the power to evoke emotions, stimulate certain feelings or memories, and completely change the way we feel. For example, intense colors such as red can bring forth intense feelings, we often associate passion with certain shades of red.
It’s all a game of association, we connect greens and blues with nature, for example, therefore these colors, when selected appropriately, can have a calming effect on us. A soft blue wall reminds us of summer days, while a deep green can bring forth memories of forest hikes or jungle adventures. Nature-inspired palettes of pale blue and olive green are often used in our homes, and for good reason.
Notably absent colors when it comes to home design? Pigments such as fire-engine red and neon green. Vivid colors are viewed as invigorating at best and anxiety-inducing at worst.
Living spaces are often painted and decorated with this in mind, avoiding mentally stimulating colors can help to calm the mind and reduce anxious feelings. Using soft, neutral colors, such as blue, is a great idea, especially in the bedroom.
Get your lighting right
Bright lights can intensify our feelings, both positive and negative. Lighting, have a significant impact on both mental and physical health. Blue light, from screens such as the TV and computers, is ok during the middle of the day, but once the sun begins to set, can have a negative effect on our mental and physical wellbeing. Blue light makes us more alert, which is the last thing we need when we get home from a long workday and we are trying to relax. The same can be said from bright, white lights, often seen in more modern homes.
Turning down the light can help us make more rational, calm decisions and aid in the body's relaxation process at the end of the day. Opt for warm light where you can to help create a cozy home environment. Instead of using overhead lighting, choose to place stylish lamps around a room to tailor the space for you. And ALWAYS have a dimmer switch installed so that you can choose the brightness.
It’s also important to ensure our homes get plenty of natural light, especially during the winter months. This helps to regulate our circadian rhythm, which in turn improves sleep quality and boosts our sense of wellbeing, and even according to some, can combat the symptoms of depression. Make sure drapes are mounted properly so they can be pulled away from the glass - this will brighten the room immediately with very little work!
Let nature back in
Plant-filled spaces are so attractive. Whether we are conscious of it or not, biophilic designs that re-connect us back to nature boost our wellbeing tenfold.
One study found that environments devoid of nature had a negative effect and that house plants had the potential to reduce stress, and even decrease health ailments such as anxiety. Not to mention some plants have the ability to improve the air quality inside your home too.
Here’s a great article we wrote about easy houseplants, even if you are a self-professed “black thumb”.
Focus on your sleep quality
There is nothing worse than sleeping on an uncomfortable bed, especially for prolonged periods of time. Not only does it affect our physical health, but poor sleep has a big impact on our mental wellbeing. The bed we sleep in is paramount for our overall health. Uncomfortable beds, and bedrooms that feel cluttered and stress-inducing, can reduce the amount of deep sleep we get each night. Many people won’t make the connection between a lack of rest and a bad bed, after all, sleep is sleep right? Wrong! Many people do not get enough deep sleep due to their environment.
Ensure your mattress is comfortable, replacing it at least every seven years, and make sure you test drive! Once you’ve got your sleep foundation perfected for your needs, you can then focus on your bedroom design.
There is nothing better than walking into a bedroom that feels cozy, safe, and luxurious. Design can help you achieve this.
Open up your space as much as possible
Nobody wants to feel claustrophobic in their own home. Creating an open and airy space, free of clutter and dust collecting items is recommended for anyone wanting to ease their anxiety. Always ensure there is sufficient space between items of furniture, wall hangings, and any accessories in your home. How can you arrange your possessions to create a pleasant environment? Maybe it’s time to let go of some of those items you’ve been holding on to.
Adorn your rooms with items that are pleasing to your eye. Get rid of anything that no longer has purpose or stimulates a stressful feeling! Storing and decluttering will naturally subside your stress levels over time.
Surround yourself with uplifting images
Surrounding yourself with photos or pieces of art that make you happy can instantly change your mood. Pictures of landscapes, or loved ones, that bring forth happy memories, can brighten up your day immensely. It’s good to have great imagery in your home.
Discuss having feature walls, and how to arrange artwork or photos
These simple hacks can help you cleanse your mind, creating more of a positive mindset to counteract those moments of anxiety. Sometimes the most simple of swaps can have the greatest impact!