Interior Design for the Mind: How to Design Your Space to Boost Your Well-Being

Your home is your own private space, and you should feel safe and relaxed living there. Unfortunately, sometimes the places where we live don’t always make us feel the most at ease. That said, if your living space has been stressing you out, here are a few ways you can design your home to boost your mental health and your overall well-being.

Make Sure You Feel Safe in Your Home

Feeling safe in your home improves your overall well-being because it reduces your stress levels. Some of the best ways to make sure you feel safe at home is by making sure your space is secure. While in some states, a home invasion can sentence a criminal to 20 years or more, that risk alone isn’t always enough to stop them from trying to break in and steal. However, if you make it easier for them to get caught, they’ll be less likely to try to break in. Be sure to set up a security camera and outdoor lighting. Close blinds and curtains after dark for privacy, and leave your garage door closed. Lock your doors and windows during the day and in the evening.

Bring More Plants into Your Home

Up to 90% of Americans prefer to live in homes surrounded by grass lawns, and for good reason. Plants (both real and fake) have been proven to reduce our stress levels. If you can’t start a garden in your yard, consider bringing more indoor plants into your space. Plants are a great way to improve your home’s air quality, and the color green can help to soothe your mind. If you don’t have much of a green thumb, no worries! Use fake plants instead and we’ll still have the same stress-reducing results.

Paint Your Home a Calming Color

If the color of your home just isn’t doing it for you, you’re not alone. The home remodeling market is currently growing by $450 billion. Fortunately, with so much remodeling, it means there’s a variety of options for you to choose from when it comes to you sprucing up your space. Paint your walls in neutral or light colors that promote serenity and calm. Neutral colors like white, beige, and gray are calming, and they match all color schemes to suit your personal aesthetic. Light earth colors are serene and remind you of being outdoors. A light brown, green, or blue will give a bright hue to any living room, home office, or dining room.

Bring in More Sunlight

Finding ways to brighten up the inside of your home will increase your well-being and reduce stress levels by giving you more vitamin D. Open your shades, curtains, and shutters during the day to let sunlight into the room. In a home office, put your desk and computer near a window. Hang mirrors in rooms to reflect more sunlight in the room. Add lamps and light to rooms that are dark and not well-lit. Consider using a light therapy lamp for your bedroom to reduce any potential effects of seasonal affective disorder and poor sleep.

Display Art and Collectibles You Enjoy

Decorate your space with prints, paintings, and art that you enjoy looking at. A well-placed seascape, landscape, or portrait can brighten up any room. Buy a small bookcase to display your collectibles, books, plants, or crafts. Strive to fill your space with items that you genuinely enjoy and like. Photos of trips that you took, family members, or nature can enhance the ambiance of any space.

Your home is your safe haven where you ought to be able to relax and unwind after a hard day. If your home just isn’t cutting it, try some of the tips above to help design a space that benefits your well-being.