The Psychology of Space: How Remodeling Affects Well-Being

We all know that our environment can impact our moods. Walk outside in a beautiful park on the perfect spring day and compare how you feel with being inside a cubical in an office with flickering overhead lights–it’s clear that where we are changes how we feel. Our houses affect our well-being more than other places because we spend so much of our lives and time at home. And this is good news! If you’re planning to start a remodel on your home, giving a little thought to the psychology of space means you can create a home that makes you and your loved ones feel your best.

Layouts

As you think about the impact of space on your mental health, consider your home’s layout. If you can, create a space that is a good combination of open and cozy. You want to use your rooms and furniture placement to facilitate connection and relationship. For example, you can arrange your living room with spaces that are perfect for chatting with a friend, or snuggling on the couch. In the kitchen, make sure there is enough space around the island for someone to pull up a chair and visit with you while you cook. Prioritize togetherness in shared spaces.

Having good flow around the home reduces feelings of frustration. If there isn’t enough space to walk through a room without bumping into furniture or navigating an awkward corner, rethink the layout to address these issues.

While your home should be a place of connection with loved ones, it also needs to be a retreat. As you consider the layout, think about each family member’s need for privacy and space. Created dedicated relaxation spaces where you and your loved ones can get away. Whether it’s a corner in a shared bedroom or a comfy chair in the primary suite, everyone needs a little alone time for mental health, and your home can help facilitate that.

Lighting

The lighting in your home–both the amount of natural light your home receives and the way artificial lights are used–plays into your well-being and mood. Exposure to natural light throughout the day, for example, helps regulate your circadian rhythm, helping you sleep better at night and feel more energetic during the day. It also increases your vitamin D, which has been linked to feeling more hopeful, happy, and energized. Natural lighting also combats Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). So as you plan your remodel, try to bring as much natural light into your home as possible!

• Add windows where you can, or make existing windows larger.
• Consider installing skylights. These are especially great in bathrooms and hallways.
• Open blinds and curtains every day and arrange furniture so it isn’t blocking windows.
• Use light colors (more on colors later!) and well-placed mirrors to increase natural light.

While natural light in your home is an important factor in wellness in interior design, how you use artificial lighting also has an impact. If you only light your home with bright overhead lights, you may find yourself feeling anxious and irritable at night instead of being able to slowly wind down toward sleep. Use dimmers to control how bright the lights are, and make sure you have multiple light sources like lamps and sconces in each room.

Blue light, like what comes from computers and TV screens, can disrupt your sleep and make you anxious as well. As you plan your remodel, consider adding a work space that isn’t in your bedroom–either a whole home office or an office nook somewhere else. Keeping your computer (and your work worries) somewhere besides your bedroom will help you feel calmer and sleep better.

Green Spaces

Connecting with nature, spending time outside, and bringing the natural world inside–these are all proven ways to decrease stress, anxiety, and overwhelm and increase peace and well-being. How can you use these ideas at home?

Take advantage of your yard. A remodel is the perfect time to add a new deck or porch, an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, or anything else that gets you outside. The best-designed outdoor spaces connect seamlessly with the indoors, so you can really use your backyard as a living space. Add comfortable outdoor furniture, cafe lights or lanterns, a fan and outdoor heater so you can be comfortable in all temperatures, and gorgeous landscaping, and you’ve got an outdoor space you’ll never want to leave!

Inside, consider adding live plants to your home. Plants help clean the air, filtering toxins and adding oxygen. They also reduce stress and can even boost creativity and concentration! Plants can serve as living artwork, making your home beautiful. And if you struggle with anxiety or depression, working with plants (indoors and out!) can help you combat those challenges.

Color Choices

As you think about the psychology of home design, consider the colors you use throughout your home. It’s been proven many times over that particular colors affect us in certain ways. Take advantage of this color therapy and use it to bring the moods you want into your spaces through paint, furniture, and soft furnishings like blankets, rugs, and curtains.

• Blues make you feel calm and relaxed. They are great for bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Greens are also restful and calming, perfect for bedrooms and the living room.
• Yellows and oranges are upbeat and energizing. Use these colors in the kitchen, playroom, home gym, and even dining room.
• Neutral colors like gray and taupe are calming and sophisticated. These are good for your living room and bathrooms.
• Purples and reds make you feel passionate and have a sense of luxury. Use these in the kitchen, dining room, and home office.
• Warm whites feel comforting and calming, while cool whites feel more modern and energizing. Whites also reflect natural light and can make dim spaces look more cheerful. Use warm white anywhere in your home and cool white in the kitchen, living spaces, and bathrooms.

Personalization

One of the best parts about remodeling your home is the ability to personalize it to yourself and your family. From choosing the layout of the whole home to deciding the color of the drawer pulls in the kitchen, you get to bring your own sense of style to the space.

Personalizing your home is actually great for your well-being and that of your family as well! Consider this one of the emotional benefits of remodeling. When you make your home your own, you give yourself a sense of ownership and control that actually can reduce your anxiety and boost confidence. Working with a designer to talk through every aspect of your remodel (which you will get to do if you work with a Design-Build company like ours) can allow you to put your own personal spin on your home while ensuring it looks great and cohesive.

Make sure you surround yourself with things you love: artwork that speaks to you, family photographs and heirlooms, souvenirs from travel, your kids’ drawings framed and hung in places of honor–these things will cause you and your loved ones to remember good times and sweet memories. And as you remodel your home, you can incorporate these personalized items into your decor. This will help you and your family members feel grounded, secure, and at peace.

Therapeutic Spaces

Our homes are so much more than just where we keep our stuff and sleep at night. They are memory-holders, connection-builders, and relaxation-providers. Our homes help us feel like ourselves so we’re ready to face the world. They give us safe spaces to recharge and recuperate. Our homes provide spaces and opportunities for us to connect with those we love most. And with a little thought and intentionality, our homes can help us reduce stress and anxiety and feel calmer, more energetic, and happier. What could be better? Reach out to us if you’re ready to get started with a home remodel that will make your house look and function better than it ever has while giving you and yours a sense of well-being.