How your space influence your health.
Welcome to my blog. I’ve never considered myself a writer, so I never imagined creating one. I primarily use this website for professional purposes, showcasing my work and CV. However, the idea of sharing things I like in a blog unexpectedly came to me, and here I am. If you clicked on this, then you’re here too, and I really hope you enjoy it!
How Your Space Influences Your Health
Since March 2020, the world basically came to a halt, and we were forced to stay home. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses disappeared as people began to realize that they weren’t "vital" to their daily lives. This led me to wonder: are we interior designers essential, or are we at risk of going out of business too?
The answer is no, we are not vital, but we are certainly necessary—not just to make a space "look pretty," but for wellness and well-being as well. The term "health" is trending nowadays, and everything related to it is gaining more attention. But where do we, as designers, fit into the conversation about health?
How Well Do You Feel in Your Room Right Now?
I’ve been reading extensively, researching, and watching live videos and posts from architecture and design experts discussing how this pandemic has already changed, or will change, the way we design. One thing that stuck with me was an architect’s observation that people in the working industry used to be out of their homes for 8-12 hours a day, using their homes primarily for sleep. Now, they are confined to their houses 24/7 and are realizing the importance of design and how their home interiors impact them. Homes have now been transformed into classrooms, offices, and gyms. Essentially, everything that used to happen elsewhere is now occurring at home, and many spaces weren’t prepared for this shift. Whether due to lack of space or poor layout, we are now analyzing how this will change the way we design living spaces.
Our mission as architects and designers is to create functional yet comforting environments that evoke the desired emotions for those who enter. When discussing residential design—especially since we are spending so much time at home—the concept of wellness in design must be prioritized.
Optimizing our living spaces has a significant influence on our mood and behavior. This is why theories like color psychology exist and should be applied in design.
Another crucial aspect of well-being in design is the incorporation of natural light and a connection with nature. For architects and designers, natural light is essential. We all know that sunlight provides free vitamin D, but it offers many physical and psychological benefits. For instance, imagine living without a window and the stress it would cause to your immune system, skin, bones, and more.
Quick Design Tips to Maximize Natural Light in Your Home:
Be Color Savvy: Choose colors that will reflect the light entering the space.
Use Mirrors: Place mirrors in areas with less sunlight to redirect light where you want it.
Consider the Floor: Floors tend to receive the least amount of light, especially if your window isn’t large and furniture obstructs the light source. Opt for light-colored flooring to reflect incoming light. If you choose a darker color, add reflectiveness with a high-gloss finish.
Select Reflective Accessories: Incorporate materials like metal, glass, and water in your decor to enhance light reflection.
Continuing the conversation about wellness, the connection with the outdoors and nature itself is incredibly important. Plants play a significant role in design—not only for aesthetics but also for their many health benefits, including cleaner indoor air. Specialists recommend having one plant per 100 square feet. They can subconsciously increase your productivity (a great home office tip) and help you feel more calm.
Another handy tip is that if you’re working out at home and don’t have a terrace or outdoor space, try to exercise next to a window. You’ll receive many more benefits than if you’re in a room with only artificial lighting and no connection to the outdoors. When you hit the gym again after this is all over, consider working out next to a window or outside if possible.
The Lung Institute recommends the following plants for different spaces:
Living Room: Chinese evergreens, areca palm
Bedroom: Snake plant, gerbera daisies
Adding plants can reduce the risk of fatigue, perceptions of pain, cough, itchy eyes, runny nose, dry throat, and much more by 20-30%. So make sure to include them in your living and working spaces. What are you waiting for? Go bring some nature into your home!
We, as interior designers, can significantly impact a client's or user's well-being. Not only do we provide natural elements like sunlight and real plants, or create indoor/outdoor living spaces, but we also manipulate materials, textures, light, colors, scents, ergonomics, visuals, and more to craft meaningful spaces that evoke desired emotions.
Good design encompasses all of these elements and more to improve quality of life. We work to ensure that users experience a space in the most appealing way possible. Whether consciously or subconsciously, by incorporating elements that clients or users will immediately appreciate—such as color and furniture (conscious)—and by playing with texture, forms, and scents (subconscious), we can create spaces that are unforgettable and enjoyable to be in.
Get Inspired
So, returning to my initial question: Are we interior designers vital? No, but we certainly make a significant impact on designed areas that contribute to overall well-being. People tend to spend most of their time under a “roof and four walls,” whether in their own homes, offices, restaurants, or gyms. Everything is designed with a purpose: to enhance comfort. When good design is added to this, it creates an ultimate experience, and you will remember that place because it made you feel good, comfortable, and happy.
So next time, don’t hesitate to hire a professional. When you find yourself stuck inside again, you’ll have a space you love that makes you feel both mentally and physically good. ;)
P.S. Subscribe to my blog and leave your answer to my question in the comments:
How well do you feel in your room right now?
Was your house prepared for this?
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