How Interior Design Can Positively Impact Your Mental Health
On average people in the UK spend about 90% of their time indoors, therefore it is unsurprising that our interiors have such a big impact on our mental health. 1 in 6 of us suffer from mental health issues on a weekly basis, and when so much of our lives is out of our control, where we live is one of the few places where we can have autonomy. Whether that’s an entire house, a small flat, or a room, many of us are lucky enough to have a space we call ‘home’.
With significant research being done on design psychology, there have been a number of interior design concepts that studies have shown can reduce anxiety and depression. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most effective ways to boost your mental health through interior design on any budget and for any home.
Bring the outdoors in
Studies have shown plants can help reduce stress levels and anxiety. Plantlife can even boost our cognitive ability, and also add a pop of colour to any space. Check out this article by Ideal Home for house plants with mood-boosting abilities.
Add colour
Colour psychology has shown that the use of colour in the home influences our mental wellbeing. We can introduce colour into our homes in many ways. Whether that is through painting the walls, purchasing that jazzy sofa, or simply changing the duvet cover. Use colours such as pink for tranquility, green for harmony and blue for a sense of calm.
Declutter
Clutter doesn’t only take up unnecessary space in the home it can also clutter the mind and cause stress. Try to only have useful and necessary items around the home, instead of being overwhelmed by 'stuff'. This doesn’t mean you need to scrap all the nice trinkets that you enjoy, but it may feel cleansing for that pile of books that are gathering dust in the corner to finally go to the charity shop.
Let the sunshine in
There is a lot of evidence to suggest that natural light can significantly help improve our mental health. Opt for window coverings that allow you to let plenty of sunlight in when you need it. Curtains are a great solution for rentals or tighter budgets. Alternatively fitted shutters are great to allow you to let in plenty of light whilst maintaining some privacy.
Create a social space
With us being able to welcome people back into our homes as of next week, it’s time to get our homes ready for guests. According to Opinium, 54% of people in the UK think spending a lot of time in front of the TV has an adverse effect on their mental health. To help prevent this, ensure obstacles are removed and angle furniture so that the focus is on interaction with people rather than interactions with objects such as the TV.
Adjust your layout
Feng Shui states that furniture shouldn't create 'dead space' (where everything is up against the wall), since it creates negative energy. A balanced, as opposed to symmetrical, room helps encourage positive wellbeing. Coffee tables, pouffes and lamps are great items to fill empty spaces. If you’ve got a small space that doesn’t allow for much additional furniture, try adding in a patterned rug to cover any negative floor space.
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Jazz up your walls
Bare walls can suppress our mood. If the walls feel empty, think about getting a few prints that lift your spirits. Art is subjective, so find something that makes you smile when you see it. If you can’t start hammering nails into your walls, think about propping art up on blank surfaces or shelves.
If you are struggling with your mental health, here are some charities you can get in touch with:
MIND
www.mind.org.uk
SAMARITANS
www.samaritans.org
116 123
PAPYRUS
www.papyrus-uk.org
0800 068 41 41