Considering how much time we spend at home, it is worth making sure it is somewhere you enjoy being. Your home is an extension of your identity, personality and family. And whether we realise it or not, it influences how we think and feel on a daily basis.
A home influences mood. Research links well-lit rooms, in daylight and in artificial light, with better mood. The architecture does it too, and so does the layout, because both decide how you move through the house and where you end up sitting.
Here are a few tips on how to improve your wellbeing by changing a few things in your home and your interior design.
Cultivate comfort
Invest in comfortable furniture and go for the more comfortable sofa rather than the trendy season pieces. Choose quality blankets and throws. Pick calm colour schemes, and if you want brighter colour, put it in the details: cushions, props, one-off pieces and art.
Brighten the light by allowing as much natural light in as possible.
Allow for all senses to be touched. Lovely candles, visually pleasing colour schemes and design, soft and beautiful fabric to the touch and so on.
Layout
Over time, architecture, floor plans, and home layouts have evolved. Homes used to be very rigid and segmented. Walls and doors set each room apart from the rest of the home. In today’s world of architecture and design, this is no longer the case.
Open-plan layouts give you sightlines through the house and more than one way to use a room, which is most of why people prefer them.
Nature
Research links even short contact with nature to lower stress. A few minutes is enough to register. Some of the same effects are seen if we have views to nature or can bring nature into the living space through plants or fresh flowers, aquariums and even fireplaces.
Quiet the noise
Silence can be golden. We are surrounded by noise all day. Even just having the radio or TV on in the background can make it hard for our minds to take a break. Set aside time throughout the day to just enjoy the quietness around you.
Cultivate joy
Find ways to bring joy into your surroundings. Maybe it’s the space to enjoy a hobby or place where family photos are displayed, small additions can help create a sense of space that is nurturing and creative. When you are able to create a space that is a personal reflection, it can help you feel refreshed at the end of a long day.
Our in-house interior designers plan rooms around exactly this. Call 020 7731 6841, email info@nuprojects.co.uk, or tell us about the house.
Published 10 April 2020. Written by the NU Projects studio, edited since for house style and accuracy.