Designing your Home for Well Being in 2025
As we approach 2025, the world continues to present its challenges, from the fast-paced demands of daily life to the ever-changing global landscape. More than ever, our homes must serve as sanctuaries—places where we can recharge, find peace, and reconnect with what truly matters. From the importance of personalization to the role of colors and textures, let's discuss how a home nurtures your emotional health.
The saying “Home is where the heart is” captures why our living spaces are so integral to our psychological well-being. A home is more than just a shelter; it’s a complex environment that influences—and is influenced by—our emotional and mental states. The following are important facets of how our homes affect our emotional wellbeing:
Emotional Anchoring - Our homes act as emotional anchors, providing life stability and continuity.
Self-Expression and Identity - Your home is an extension of yourself. The way you decorate, the items you choose to display, and even the colours you prefer are reflections of your personality and values.
Cognitive Functioning - Believe it or not, the layout and organization of your home can impact your cognitive functions. A cluttered, disorganized space can lead to increased stress and reduced focus.
Ritual and Routine - Our homes are the stages upon which the rituals and routines of daily life are performed. These can range from the simplicity of a morning coffee routine to the complexity of religious or cultural ceremonies.
Sensory Experience - The sensory aspects of our homes—what we see, touch, smell, and hear—directly impact our emotional states.
With all this said, what are real life things that can affect your home environment and what can be done to nurture your well being within it.
Soften Harsh lines and Sharp Edges
Photo Credit: @PoshPennies
Research has shown that harsh edges and sharp lines can increase levels of anxiety and stress. It can evoke the survival instinct that triggers cortisol and thoughts of danger. The easiest antidote to this is to introduce soft curves wherever possible. Round mirrors, curved vases all contribute to softening these harsh edges.
Photo Credit @PoshPennies
2. Add Art to your Home
It is well known that art has a positive affect on any environment and viewing art actually releases the chemical dopamine in humans that is similar to the feeling of falling in love. Beyond that, art is very personal and is a way of honoring something within you in your space that holds meaning on a deeper level. As designers we try to “match” art to the aesthetic color scheme but more importantly, it needs to speak to those who inhabit the space.
3. Balance Man Made Objects with Natural Materials
Technology has taken it’s toll on our connection with our own humanity. Humans are wired to subconsciously connect with the natural world so It is important to balance the onslaught of devices that inhabit our home with materials and textures that come from the earth. Wood, textiles and natural stone are great natural sources and can easily be incorporated throughout the home. Look for ways to tuck technology away and keep the visual environment clutter free.
4. Choose Color Palettes Wisely
There are basic color theories that dictate which colors have soothing qualities and which are energizing and even disturbing. It’s no coincidence that in recent years, there has been a trend toward warmer, subdued color tones replacing all white kitchens and the overuse of gray! Here are colors that are best used in homes:
Brown: Neutral and warm, browns and tan hues create a calming, serene space.
Green: Green evokes nature and feels safe and calming in any shade.
Orange: A natural antidepressant, orange has been proven to help with mood elevation.
Colors that need to be balanced in the home:
Blue: Blue can be a soothing hue but can sometimes evoke a “blue” mood so should be balanced with warmer hues.
Red: While red can be energizing, it can evoke feeling of anger and agitation. It is great as an accent to add life to a space.
White/Gray: Overuse of white and/or gray can lead to bland and sterile spaces that feel lifeless. A balance of warmer tones and a few accent colors liven and humanize a space.
5. Natural Light and Lighting
It goes without saying that natural light is important in any space but it can never be overstated! Natural light helps balance circadium rhythms and is crucial to good health. The importance of proper lighting in our homes is an extension of this and is often misunderstood especially with the number of lighting and bulb options out there. All new LED lighting is efficient and cost effective but the most important component when considering lighting is color temperature. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and generally ranges from 2700K to 4000K in residential lighting. 2700K provides the warmest lighting (similar to old fashioned incandescent light bulbs) whereas 4000K is much cooler and can start to feel like hospital lighting. Somewhere in between simulates daylight. The preferred temperature is often personal preference however as an interior designer in my projects, I recommend 2700-3000K max. It is also very important to match the color temperature with all the bulbs in any given room.
When considering all these components, we can appreciate our homes’ profound role in shaping our psychological well-being. Far from being just a physical structure, a home is a complex psychological ecosystem that deeply influences who we are and how we feel.
Source credit -https://www.freshkit.co.uk/the-psychology-of-home-understanding-how-our-living-spaces-impact-our-mental-well-being/
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