Interior design tips to improve mental wellbeing
There has always been a strong connection between mental wellbeing and your home. Environment is important, and has a profound effect on how we feel about ourselves. But during the COVID-19 pandemic when many of us are working remotely and spending a lot more time inside, the impact our home environment has on us is more significant than ever.
We take a look at some key interior design tips for mental wellbeing and happiness in this guest post.
Make sure to declutter
Clutter doesn’t just look messy and disorganized, it also takes its toll on your wellbeing — it overstimulates your brain and creates a permanent background distraction. Having a proper clear out of all your unused or unwanted stuff is a great starting point to improve your mental wellbeing.
If you’re a serious collector this could take some time, but it’s definitely worthwhile. Tackle one room, or just one area of a room, at a time so that it doesn’t seem like an impossible task. Sort through everything from your trinkets and decorations to clothing, paperwork, and unread books — get rid of as much as possible.
For sentimental things that you don’t want to let go of, get secure storage boxes that will keep your things safe and stowed out of sight.
Choose things you love
Once you’ve decluttered your home as much as possible, don’t be tempted to fill it up again with more stuff. Avoid impulse buys when it comes to furnishings and decor. Hold out for items that really make you happy, instead of surrounding yourself with things you may have bought on a whim to fill a void. Investing in good quality pieces you love will help improve your mental wellbeing, and will last for years to come.
Focus on one room at a time. For instance, start with your living room and spend some time considering what furniture and decorations you actually need and what your style is. This will help you to create a coordinated space full of things that bring you joy.
Browse online for affordable options that are good quality and low cost. If you’re looking for unique, statement pieces, then spend some time looking in vintage and antique shops. But most importantly, don’t rush into buying anything — shop around until you find things you love.
Maximize the light
Lighting also has a big impact on your mental wellbeing. Natural light can do a lot to boost your mood, so try to maximize it inside your home as much as possible.
Move any furniture that blocks light from the windows, and add mirrors into your rooms to bounce the light around as much as possible. A few strategically-placed mirrors can make darker rooms feel brighter and more open, which is key to your wellbeing.
For evenings and cloudy days, the right lighting will add warmth and coziness while brightening up your home.
Pick the right colours
If you’re thinking about freshening things up by painting your walls, take some time to consider the colours you choose. Pick colours that are known affect your mood and avoid too many bright, clashing colours that can make you feel uneasy and heighten anxiety.
Consider the mood you want to create in each room. Blue can be calming, yellow is perceived as optimistic, and green can help with focus. Alternatively, choose neutral, light colours to make a room feel more open and add colour with accessories. Minimize the use of dark colours on your walls, especially in smaller spaces as it can feel imposing.
Add greenery
Getting outside and surrounding yourself in nature is one of the best ways to improve your mood, so why not bring some of that inside your home? Adding a few plants here and there can do wonders for your mental wellbeing.
It can be as simple as some herbs or microgreens in your kitchen that you use to cook with, or houseplants that will help purify their air. Even better? Find some space to put your green thumb to the test and grow a garden inside. It’ll be a fun hobby and something the whole family can get involved in. Looking after plants and watching them grow can also boost your wellbeing. But if you’re worried about forgetting to water them, there are plenty of houseplants that require little care — even artificial ones will do! They won’t purify the air, but they will create a nice green ambience for your space.
To help improve your wellbeing, it’s good for your home (and your soul) to keep it tidy and filled with things that make you happy. This means focusing your interior décor on organization, opening up spaces as much as possible , choosing colours that brighten things up, and filling your spaces with things you really love. Have more tips to improve your mental wellbeing through décor? Let us know on social!