15 Interior Design Tips to Support a Healthier Lifestyle

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Interior design can be about so much more than pretty art and aesthetic furniture. With the right approach, it can improve your mental and physical health.

From mood-altering color schemes to positive floor plans to helpful houseplants, these are home design tips that can turn your space into a sanctuary for wellness.

Cool Colors for Relaxation

Don’t just choose colors that you like on the paint sample; choose colors with more purpose than that. Cool tones are the best choice if you want a soothing atmosphere. Utilize these hues wherever you want to feel at ease and mellow.

Cool colors create a sense of relaxation and safety, so we love them for bedrooms, living rooms, nurseries, and bathrooms. Most blues, greens, and purples are cool tones, but be mindful to choose hues that lean toward the blue side of the color spectrum.

Warm Colors for Energy

Most people want their space to be peaceful, but that doesn’t mean warm colors are always the wrong choice. They can create a vibrant atmosphere that inspires and ignites your creative and energetic side in spaces like the kitchen or an office.

Warm colors are shades of red, orange, and yellow, with some green hues in the mix. Don’t go overboard and paint your whole office cherry red, as this can be overstimulating and agitating, but a thoughtful warm color scheme can create a spirited and kinetic vibe.

Dark Colors for Calmness

Dark colors are more likely to calm you down and create a grounding energy. If you want a space that helps you feel secure and safe, we recommend darker tones. The darker the color, the more closed-in you will feel.

Being closed-in might sound negative, but feeling tucked away in your home can be relaxing and comforting. Dark colors like eggplant, maroon, and navy are cozy and rich, so they can create a laidback, leisurely vibe. When used properly, dark colors create an air of elegance and luxury too.

Bright Colors for Vitality

Bright colors are more energizing and lively, which can uplift your mood. This is a great idea for people who often feel sluggish. If you struggle to pull yourself off the couch to go see friends or can never get out of bed on time, a vibrant blue or yellow wall color can pull you out of this funk.

We’re not necessarily saying you should douse your home in neon paint. That might be an assault on your eyes. However, some lightness and brightness can help elevate the energy in your home.

Reduce Stress With Plants

Houseplants can relieve stress and anxiety in numerous ways. They improve air quality, reducing toxins in the air which can affect your mental health and physical wellness.

Beyond that, houseplants also give you something to care for, creating a sense of nurturing, accomplishment, and productivity. From their organic appearance to the fresh oxygen to the self-satisfaction, even just one houseplant can make your home better for your mental and physical wellness.

Reduce Clutter With Strategic Storage

Studies show that clutter and messiness can take a severe toll on our mental health. It’s distracting and anxiety-inducing for many individuals. A messy home can lead to issues with focusing, increased procrastination, strained relationships, and impulsive behavior.

Shoving clutter into a closet or under the bed is only a temporary patch over the problem. The best way to stay organized is strategic storage solutions, like open shelving, baskets, bins with drawers, cube shelves, and dual-purpose furniture. The key is to create a storage system that works for your lifestyle and mind.

Boost Wellness With Natural Light

Just like plants, humans need sunshine. You can design a space that takes advantage of the sunshine as much as possible, filling your home with natural light that can improve mental wellness. And it’s not just about feeling balanced or clear; natural light can simply make you happier!

Natural light can boost all aspects of your well-being, so let’s open the blinds and let the light in. Large windows, sheer drapes, skylights, balconies, terraces, patios, open floor plans, and mirrors can all increase the natural light in your space.

Foster Positivity With Open Space

In addition to introducing more natural light, open floor plans foster positivity. That private, tucked-away feeling can be lovely, but also isolating and moody.

Open spaces are more positive and inviting, so they can create a better atmosphere for social interactions. If you can’t create an open floor plan in your house, open spaces outside are beneficial too.

Connect With Nature

A biophilic home design, meaning one that blurs the line between the indoors and outdoors, can help you feel closer to nature. As any hiker or outdoor enthusiast will tell you, connecting with nature can refresh your spirit and give you mental clarity and peace.

Biophilic elements can be large doors to the backyard, massive windows, houseplants, organic furniture materials (cotton, wood, etc.), and natural light. Find creative ways to embrace nature inside your home and bring elements of your home into any outdoor spaces you have.

Soft Textures for Comfort

Spaces with lots of stone and metal can feel cold and soulless. Industrial-style designs might be chic, but they’re not cozy, which impacts your mental health.

Soft textures throughout your home can make it feel more relaxing and inviting. If your home seems cold, it’s more difficult to decompress and feel safe and balanced. From plush couches to fuzzy blankets to fabric wall hangings, surround yourself with softness.

Dedicated Home Office Space

If you work from home, this tip is crucial. If you don’t work from home, maybe an office space could still be beneficial for tasks like filing taxes or paying bills. Either way, it’s best to have a designated office space rather than working on your couch or at the kitchen counter.

The division helps you disconnect from work when the day is over and feel relaxed in your home. Otherwise, ending the work day mentally can be challenging and you’ll associate your home with any stress or difficulties at work.

Always Go Ergonomic

This one seems obvious, but many people still choose form over function when buying furniture. Before you choose a color and fabric, make sure you prioritize comfort and ergonomics.

Buy office and dining chairs with lumbar and back support, ensure your kitchen counters are at a convenient height, and use comfortable spacing for stairs. Ergonomics can range from your mattress support to the softness of your carpet. Visuals are important, but never sacrifice ergonomics for style.

Take a Holistic and Sustainable Approach

An excellent way to make your home feel complete is to design with a holistic mindset and sustainable approach. A sustainable approach means using materials and techniques that are kind to the Earth, which will inherently enhance the energy in the space.

A holistic mindset means you design the house as a whole, not corner by corner or room by room. The energy and design should seamlessly flow from one room to another, preventing any jarring transitions or awkward disjoints.

Hone the Aura With Air Quality and Aroma

We want your home to cater to all your senses. When designing your space, don’t forget about air quality and aroma. Houseplants can improve both of these things!

However, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, incense, candles, and essential oil diffusers can all boost these properties. We recommend bringing calming scents into your home, like lavender, eucalyptus, jasmine, and chamomile. But you can add any aromas that bring you joy.

Personalize the Space

Your home can’t improve your health if it wasn’t made for you. We all have different priorities and passions, so make sure your home caters to those.

If you do yoga each morning, find a spot with natural light where you can create a yoga space. If you love to entertain, make sure you incorporate convivial seating. If your dog is your whole life, set up a cozy space to make them feel at home too.

When you design for yourself, you can connect to your space better and reap the mental and physical benefits of mindful home design.

Featured Image Credit: Milkos and Depositphotos.