As the rise in trends such as yoga, clean eating and meditation
shows, we are all becoming increasingly aware of how to take care
of our mental and physical wellbeing. While this has become more
difficult in the current climate, it is now more important than
ever to consider how our interiors can be used to promote a
positive effect on our health and happiness. As we all begin to
adapt to the new normal, here are a few things to consider to help
you create a space in which to flourish.
Photo: Photo by Max van den Oetelaar
Colour
It is well known that colour can have a huge impact on the look
and feel of a space, and there are many theories surrounding the
types of emotion each shade can conjure up. The german writer
Johann Wolfgang van Goethe famously assigned certain properties to
different colours: Red was associated with the 'beautiful', yellow
with 'good', orange was 'noble', whilst green was 'useful', blue
was 'common' and violet 'unnecessary'. This theory has since been
developed and many people now associate yellow and green with
positivity and health, and pink is believed to have calming
properties. But overall you should consider your own emotional
response to different colours and what purpose your rooms will be
used for. Your favourite colours may not be the ones that make you
feel most safe and secure when painted across your walls. Many
people feel more relaxed when surrounded by light and soft neutral
tones, but for some, surrounding themselves with bold and bright
shades makes them feel more at ease.
Light
Essential for giving us our daily dose of Vitamin D, studies
show that natural light can also improve our productivity and
overall mood whilst reinforcing our circadian rhythms. Whatever
size your space is, make the most of natural light with plenty of
mirrors and glass or polished surfaces to bounce light around the
room. Use clever combinations of lamps to mimic patterns of
daylight throughout your home. Turning off ceiling lights in the
evenings in favour of floor and table lamps will help to create a
soft and relaxing space for you to unwind in.
Photo: Ben Wu Residential project
Materials & Nature
Since ancient times we have endeavoured to combine our living
spaces with elements of the natural world. Take for example, the
Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the tradition of Christmas trees or the
modern obsession of keeping houseplants and succulents. The theory
of biophilia suggests that as humans we have inherited an
instinctive need to connect with nature. Bringing these elements
into our home will help to reinforce that connection, boosting our
mood and helping us to feel more grounded. House plants are an
obvious way to do this, but look for other organic materials such
as wood or marble incorporated into pieces of furniture, as well as
natural fabrics such as cotton or
linen. Even visual reminders of nature are said to have an
impact so photographic prints like
this one are a great addition to your gallery wall.
The natural environment is what we were created to excel in, so we tend to be drawn to elements that would have once helped support our survival and wellbeing
Lily Bernheimer
Space
Our homes have now become our offices, gyms, schools and
playgrounds as well as our places of rest, so the introduction of
zoning is necessary for creating some separation in our daily
activities. It's also a chance to design our homes around the lives
we want to lead. The clever placement of a rug or armchair can help
to define areas for different activities. If you want to spend more
time reading perhaps create a reading corner with some open shelves
for books and a cosy chair. Or maybe meditation has become an
important part of your daily routine, in which case carve out a
small space to sit and be surrounded by your favourite things and a
calming peace of artwork. It is important to take the time to
consider how you would like to use different parts of your home and
then designing your space around these functions.
Photo: Olivia Emery - Residential project
Shape
The effect shapes can have on our mental wellbeing is a subtlety
that is often overlooked, but studies have shown that humans have
an instinctive preference for curved and circular forms. A 2011
study revealed that infants as young as five months favoured
contoured lines over straight ones while other studies have shown
that we tend to connect circles with feelings of safety and calm.
Compared to angular shapes which we associate with danger like
thorns on a rose bush or sharp teeth for example. You can bring
these theories into your interiors through the use of circular
artwork, mirrors and lighting for a sense of balance and
security.
Photo: Daun Curry - The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas 'Curiosities' Suite
