How to Create a Calming Interior Design in the Home During Uncertain Times
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic brought about a fresh focus on supporting mental health in the home, the idea of interior design for wellbeing has flourished. The “work from home” trend kickstarted the idea of using calming interior design techniques to make spending time at home more enjoyable, a trend which continues to grow. With so much taking place in the world at the moment, it’s no secret that many of us are feeling overwhelmed; in England, 1 in 6 report experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week according to Mind.
It is clear that now is the time to reflect on wellbeing, looking for simple ways to nurture a positive mentality where possible, including re-evaluating our home’s design. In fact, creating a calming, organised interior space has the power to improve sleep, relationships and productivity whilst reducing stress, anxiety and depression.
With two in five of us still planning to embrace hybrid working by 2023 according to a poll by Willis Towers Watson, It’s clear that the population will continue to spend an increased amount of time in the home compared to pre-pandemic norms. Additionally, the demand for relaxing rooms that use interior design to support mental health is on the rise, with Google Trends revealing that searches for ‘relaxing bedroom ideas’ have spiked to the highest level in the past year. Meanwhile, social media has likewise embraced the trend, with 7.5k Instagram posts including #designforwellbeing, 1.1k posts including #wellbeinginterior and 10.8k posts including #calmhome. So, just how do we create a calming space that supports mental wellbeing during these increasingly difficult times?
Colour Psychology
Colour choice has more of an impact on our mentality than we may think. Our surroundings can have a profound effect on our mood and colours play a huge role in this, with the ability to influence how we think feel and behave. In fact, the right colours have been known to create atmospheres that feel safe, healing and inspiring, in settings such as healthcare, leading to reduced anxiety and improved mood.
But which colours are best suited to your needs?
Blue – If you’re looking to focus on mental health as part of your interior design, blue is a fantastic choice given that it instantly invokes feelings of calm, relaxation and healing. If you’re looking to create a serene atmosphere that allows you to switch off, such as a bedroom, bathroom or living area, selecting a shade of blue for the walls will help to create a space that lets you decompress and unwind.
Green – Earth tones such as green are known to represent natural environments, harmony and peace. Green is considered one of the most restful and relaxing colours to the human eye, making it key to creating a tranquil environment in the home. Whether through plants and flowers, subtle accents or bold wall colours, green is a hue that is perfect for the home and speaks of hopefulness, growth and balance.
Neutrals – If you’d like to craft a calm space using subtle, muted tones, neutral tones such as beige offer the perfect solution according to colour psychology. Rooted in nature, brown and beige tones bring with them a sense of energy, strength and calmness that works wonders in the home.
“In today’s climate, we are seeing a drastic shift towards calmer colour palettes and holistic interior design.”
“For those looking to create a tranquil atmosphere in the home, softer tones such as light blue, mint green or neutral shades can help provide the illusion of wider space and help the mind destress.” – Jonathan Weaving, Digital Marketing Manager at Harris Brushes.
Achieving a smooth finish when it comes to painting your walls is also key to creating a sanctuary in the home; after all, who wants to look at smudges and imperfections when they’re trying to relax for the day? Harris Brushes’ simple step-by-step guides make this process easier than ever before, whether you’re looking to learn How to Paint a Wall, How to Paint a Door or How to Paint Skirting Boards, you can perfect your perfect first time around with our useful guides.
Decluttering Your Space
It’s an age-old saying; tidy house, tidy mind. When it comes to incorporating health and wellbeing into interior design, it’s essential to begin by removing any clutter and chaos to reduce stress and anxiety. Tackling clutter will make the biggest difference in terms of creating a serene environment, leaving us feeling calmer, happier and more in control. Removing ‘eye sores’ and clutter also ensures a lower risk of asthma and allergies, supporting better physical health and a more hygienic lifestyle.
It goes without saying that some spaces are easier to declutter than others. Whether you start small with one area of the room or decide to go in for a full spring clean, the key is to be ruthless, begin by clearing out old or unwanted furniture, accessories and possessions. Applying the one-year rule is helpful if you’re struggling to let go of hoarded items. If these items no longer serve you or spark joy, it may be time to pass them on, sell them on eBay or Depop or simply dispose of them. Storage solutions such as ottomans, boxes and baskets that fit with your interior scheme are also great for packing away clutter and helping you reclaim that valuable floor space.
Introducing House Plants
Calming plants for the home offer a simple way to enhance mental and physical wellbeing, providing air purification properties, assisting breathing and reducing stress levels. Not only do house plants boost mental wellbeing and help to create a sanctuary in the home, but they are also a beautiful and inexpensive way to add colour to the home and breathe new life into your interior design.
Foliage can also keep us moving and help us focus, as the majority of house plants require care and attention which in turn promotes positive mental wellbeing. They also encourage activity beyond watering your leaves, with house plants being proven to increase productivity by up to 15%.
Fern, calathea and orchids immediately bring a sense of tranquillity to the home and look incredible when placed in bare corners of the room or alongside furniture. If you’re looking for low-maintenance indoor plants, opt for snake plants, kentia palm or a peace lily, as these are most forgiving if you skip watering for a while.
Layout Matters
Creating an inviting space that feels open and peaceful begins with adjusting the layout of the room. Rearranging furniture, plants and accessories can have a huge impact in terms of creating the illusion of increased space and elevating your mood.
Not only does rearranging the furniture spark creativity and leave you feeling more energetic, but it can also be the start of a new beginning with a new layout for your room. Honing your aesthetic releases that “feel good” feeling and provides a sense of achievement, even through the simple act of rearranging your furniture. Furniture can be pushed together to optimise the space around it or moved closer to the walls to maximise space in the centre of the home, creating the perfect zone to unwind in.
Let Natural Light Shine Through
Exposure to natural light is integral to mental and physical wellbeing, proven to boost vitamin D, improve sleep quality and enhance productivity and focus. Introducing natural light into the home can be as simple as introducing reflective surfaces such as coffee tables or mirrors or removing internal window coverings. Additionally, those looking to maximise natural light in a single room can replace dark furniture and features with lighter objects, wall colours and ceiling colours to ensure more light passes through the room, creating a brighter, warmer environment.
Whether you’re searching for relaxing master bedroom designs or techniques to create the ultimate calm home office, transforming your home can have significant benefits for your mental wellbeing and Harris Brushes are here to help you incorporate health and wellbeing into your interior design.
For more useful tips on how to achieve the home you’ve always dreamt of, head to our How To guides today!
