Last updated on October 6th, 2021
How do you feel when you walk into your home? Relaxed and happy, or sad and depressed? If it is the latter, then it is probably time you consider changing the interiors of your home.
Believe it or not, your interior choices can affect your mood greatly. In fact, there is a whole new field of decor that deals with the effect of light, layout, space, and even noise levels, on your mood and is called Neuroarchitecture.
Neuroarchitecture is a combination of neuroscience and architecture. As scary as it may sound, Neuroarchitecture actually deals with how our body and brain react to the environment. It explores ideas such as how the lighting of the bedroom is adversely affecting your sleeping pattern, to how the furniture placement of the living room may be impacting your moods. Sounds interesting? Here’s how you can use Neuroarchitecture to boost your mood.
1. Keep an eye on the Layout
The layout of your home highly impacts your mental and physical well-being. For instance, if you are standing in the kitchen, cooking with your back facing your kid(s), you will naturally feel more agitated and worked up, leading to your brain producing stress hormones. However, if your kitchen layout allows you to prepare meals while keeping an eye on them, it would naturally make you feel more relaxed, and in control of the situation.
Additionally, arranging your room in a way so that you can see the entryway is also a great way to reduce stress and boost your mood. A seat from where you can see the entryway is a great way to make you feel in control of the situation, and also, reduces the chance of you being surprised by unwanted visitors or intruders.
2. Lighting is Key
Have you ever wondered why you feel happy and chirpy on a bright sunny day, and feel rather low in a room with flat lighting? It is because lighting directly affects our mental well-being. Too much or too little light can adversely affect the sleep cycle, causing hypertension and increased levels of stress. Interior experts reveal that each room, especially the bedroom should have multiple levels of lighting. Make use of candles, dimmer lights, and lamps to create a restful environment in your bedroom. However, don’t forget to open up the blinds during the daytime, as sunlight helps release endorphins and serotonin – hormones responsible to make us feel happy.
3. Home Decor to Boost Your Mood
The right kind of decor can lift up your spirits, provide you comfort, and improve your mood. Here are the three key areas of decor that can help boost your mood, when used the right way:
Color
Choosing the right colors for your home is key to your emotional wellness. Colors that are way too flat may not be able to stimulate your brain, and shades that excessively dim can leave you feeling depressed. Instead, try to find colors that make you feel happy and infuse them into your decor either in the form of paints, dividers or just using some cushions or draperies. For instance, if you are looking to change the look of the living room, then think of using vibrant shades like red, violet or yellow.
Art Work
Using artwork to enliven a room is a no-brainer! But using an original piece of art that you relate to can provide your home a personal touch and help you feel good, everytime you look at it.
Furniture Shapes
The shape of furniture pieces affects our ability to unwind at home. Furniture pieces with sharp edges are proved to make your brain constantly active, making it difficult for you to relax. However, furniture pieces with round or soft edges can make you feel more relaxed.
4. Use High Ceilings To Boost Creativity
Even the ceiling of the house has a high impact on our mood. Research has revealed that a room with a high ceiling tickles the right side of the brain, responsible for creative thinking. Whereas, rooms with low ceilings are supposed to warm up your left side of the brain, responsible for focusing and completing tasks.
5. Make it Personal
At the end of the day your home should feel inviting, reflect your personality and uniqueness. So, don’t forget to add family pictures, souvenirs that you picked up from your last trip, and art prints to boost your mood.
