It seems common sense that a person living in a home that is perfectly designed to fit their lifestyle and visual preferences would result in a happier human, but how much does one’s interiors affect their health?  After 20 years of designing for clients, it has become quite clear that people typically call interior designers to express the problems they are feeling about their space. 

A good interior designer has high emotional intelligence, great listening skills, the experience to find solutions to all of the problems known to the client, and the foresight of what future problems may arise. 

The psychology of interior design plays a massive role in how the client lives in the final product, and it is directly linked to their mental health. 

Studies have shown that pleasing aesthetics can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.  This can create a positive feedback loop, reinforcing feelings of well-being. Well-designed spaces can reduce stress and cortisol levels. 

If you are seeking optimal health, then this might be the time to look inside your home! 

These are some of the interior design elements that play a role in your overall mental health at home:

1. Organization 

A cluttered and chaotic environment can be overwhelming and stressful. Organization creates efficiency and reduces stress. In South Florida we see this going wrong due to the smaller, older homes often that have been renovated by someone who knew enough to be dangerous, and because most homes just do not have enough storage.  Designing a fabulous built-in wall unit, adding storage bench seating in the kitchen or entry, or just reimagining the closet areas can make a huge impact on the options for storage and organization.  

2. Furniture Layout and Materials

Depending on how the room will be used, you can create a smooth space, which is a space that has a casual vibe and versatility, or a striated space, which is a space that has furniture arranged in a specific way that creates order and focus on a certain function.  

A formal dining room lends itself to orderly seating and eating, and that is about it, while a family room might have a fun conversation circle of versatile pieces inviting people to hang out and do a lot of different things together. If the space is not properly laid out for what suits the client’s lifestyle, then that is going to negatively impact the mood. 

Proper furniture placement can improve the flow of chi (energy), leading to a more harmonious atmosphere. For example, a clutter-free and well-arranged living room can enhance relaxation and social interaction. Knowing what materials are durable to withstand how the space will be used is also very important. Nothing will stress you out more than having to follow kids and pets around making sure they don’t ruin things. 

3. Proximity

The desire for privacy is highly linked to stress or distress. People need options for escape.

For example, men LOVE having a water closet in the bathroom so they can be on the toilet for 30 minutes doing whatever it is they do, without having us knocking on the door to get our blow dryer or whatever it is that we need. Most people don’t even know what they are missing unless they have previously had it, so that is why it can be a lifesaver to have good designers offer suggestions based on lifestyle and experience. 

4. Color

The colors in your home can significantly impact your mood. Color psychology reveals that different hues evoke distinct emotional responses. 

For example, pale blues and greens can reduce stress, calm the nervous system, and lower blood pressure, while invigorating reds and oranges can evoke hunger and excitement or even anxiety, and they even physically raise your body temperature.  Interior designers leverage this knowledge to create spaces that align with desired emotional outcomes. 

In bedrooms, soothing pastels promote relaxation, while vibrant dining rooms encourage sociability. Saturated colors like emerald green make us feel energized and close to nature. Purple evokes a feeling of royalty or importance. Yellow is cheerful and warm. We use pops of brass to warm up just about any color palette. Light colors tend to make a room feel airy and spacious, while dark colors can make you feel heavy like you want to cuddle up. 

5. Cohesion, balance and symmetry  

Homes should have a sense of cohesion where one room flows well with the next. Your eyes are taking in everything you see and your brain can process its surroundings better when there is somewhat of a pattern.  Also, when you list a home, it is so much more pleasing to the eye for a potential buyer to scroll through a sequence of photos that make sense together and are not choppy and change in style and colors from room to room.  

Balance is proper disbursement of colors and materials in a way that looks intentional and even throughout the space.  Symmetry can be used to create balance.  Proper execution of these elements creates a sense of balance, which reduces stress. 

6. Textures 

These play a crucial role in interior design psychology. The tactile feel of materials can influence your overall sense of comfort and well-being. Plush velvet upholstery may evoke feelings of luxury and coziness.

7. Acoustics

For instance, adding soft furnishings like curtains and rugs can help absorb excess noise, making a room feel more peaceful and comfortable.

8. Biophilic interior design

The presence of plants, access to natural light, and the use of organic materials can connect us with nature, boost mental health, and reduce stress. Studies show that exposure to natural elements indoors can improve concentration and creativity.

9. Visual Interest

Layering in pieces that accessorize the space and create visual interest can really bring people joy. The beauty is really in the details. Accessory groupings tell a story about the person who lives in the space. The mixing of sentimental items, handmade artifacts, pieces collected from traveling, pictures of loved ones and organic elements is interesting to look at and invites conversation. 

As you have read, the psychology of interior design runs deeply into many areas of one’s home and we barely scratched the surface! Every client is completely unique and requires specific attention to address their own unique lifestyle.  

Cheers to hoping these tips help someone restore balance or call a pro and get their interiors set up for a successful mindset. 

Yours Truly,

Elle Watkins Rude