Feeling a bit blah? Uninspired? Try these interior design tips to boost your health. They might make a difference!
By Lora O’Brien
A home is your own private sanctuary. A place you can go to shut off from the world, relax and feel safe. But many of us struggle to relax, even there. And there are many reasons why your home environment could be affecting your health and wellbeing.
For example? Read on!
First and foremost: declutter
There’s an old saying: Clutter smothers. Simplicity breathes. And we’d have to agree!
A cluttered home is a huge reason many people feel overwhelmed when at home. Visually, it’s always ‘busy’. Clutter sends a subconscious message that your space is in need of organisation.
So, what’s the solution? Declutter and be frugal. Don’t hold onto items that no longer serve you. Try to find a home for things and keep the decor simple. You’ll have yourself being able to breathe calmly. Oh, and shop less. The joys of shopping cause us to gradually accumulate lots of items, which over time, build up and can add to the chaos of a home.
Your colour palette may affect your mood
Did you know that the colour of your home can directly affect your health? That’s right: colour is one of the easiest ways to change how you feel in your own home. In fact, a colour you currently have may be a part of the equation as to why you’re feeling less than relaxed.
Colours such as red induce a feeling of stimulation. On the other hand, purple hues promote thoughtfulness. So, if you have a red bedroom you may find you’re not getting the rest you need. Look at what colours promote and change the colours of rooms which may not fit their purpose.
Get more in touch with nature
Another of our interior design tips to boost your heath is to bring a little of the outside world inside. Nature is healing, and bringing some greenery to your home is a fun way to improve your health which benefits from indoor plants.
This is due to the fact they filter the air we breathe which in turn can help you to be calmer and more productive.
Less blue light, more natural light
You might not like this, but it’s one of our top interior design tips to boost your heath. Stop watching so much smart TV!
Sure, I get it. After a long day at work, it seems relaxing to pick up the remote and watch your favourite series. But the blue light that comes from smart TVs and devices isn’t relaxing. On the contrary! They tell our bodies NOT to wind down.
If you feel like you’re struggling to sleep, screens could be the culprit. Or, it could simply be your lighting. Most fluorescent lightbulbs are made from blue light, and LED/energy saving bulbs are no better.
The solution? Read on for that, and for even more interior design tips to boost your heath!
Main image: myscandinavianhome.com Image below: realhomes.com
Decor Tips To Improve Your Health
1. Change your bulbs
They may be sold as ‘eco friendly’, but turn off LED lights and swap those for incandescent bulbs instead.
Why? Well, LED lights have blue light, just like your computer and mobile phone. That means that while they’re on, you’re interfering with the production of melatonin in your body. This hormone helps you sleep. So, when you combine looking at your phone, your computer AND having LED lights in the house, it spells poor sleep.
Changing your bulbs for incandescent ones is one of the easiest interior design tips to implement to boost your health. And if you’re thinking: wait, aren’t LED lights more eco friendly? The truth is, no. They contain toxic and heavy metals, which leach into our water table when not disposed of properly (which they rarely are!).
In addition, LED bulbs and their associated parts were also found to contain arsenic, copper, and other metals that have been linked to different cancers, neurological damage, kidney disease, hypertension, skin rashes and other illnesses in humans, and to ecological damage to soil.
Photo: Pinterest
2. Let the sunshine in!
And speaking of natural light, get some sunshine in!
Exposure to natural light helps our bodies not only produce Vitamin D, but also positively affects circadian rhythms, sleeping patterns, and motivation and has proven to improve our mood and happiness.
Not got much light in your house? Hanging a mirror on a wall opposite a window produces more light within the room. Alternatively, you could paint or wallpaper your walls with light or even metallic colours to help spread light around in a room. Another tip is to use reflective surfaces such as glossy or metal accent surfaces that will bounce the light around the room.
Image: MaddyJohnston on Pinterest
3. Bring the outside inside
Bring natural elements into your indoor space for extra health benefits. The University of Exeter have researched by bringing plant elements into your daily life can massively boost your well-being by 47%, creativity by 45% and productivity by 38%.
Top tips include adding
- shells
- wood
- plants
- flowers
- crystals or stones
to your decor.
Photo: @firstsaturdayplants Instagram
4. Create a room with a view
In your office or home, try to get a good and unobstructed view of some form of nature or nature experience. This has been proven to have positive health effects, such as being more creative, energised, and productive. Having a natural view also helps healing, which is why hospitals should allow patients to have windows with views to trees and gardens, or at least take patients out to the garden when possible.
Even if you live in an apartment, can design your space with a natural view by hanging plants around your windows, which also brings the benefits of bringing in nature indoors. Worst case scenario? Hang up a photo of a stunning forest, beach or mountain.
5. Throw some shade
According to UDesign, in the UK a staggering 70% of us sleep less than 7 hours per night! That’s especially mind-boggling when you consider the fact that even half an hour less sleep than needed can be detrimental to your health. To boost sleep, and thus your health, sleeping in darkness is essential.
One of the best tips for getting a good night’s kip is investing in blackout blinds, shutters or curtains in your home decor scheme. It’s an easy interior design tip to implement to boost your health.
Photo: @homey.decor.id Instagram
6. Create a special corner
Another of our tips for interior design tips that boost your health is to create a space for yourself to unwind in. For example, using a designated corner for yoga or meditation can help reduce stress and negative emotions. If you’re religious or spiritual, a small altar can help you maintain mindfulness about your spiritual practice.
Even if you’ve not got much space, you can invest in a small screen to create a new area that reminds you to be mindful!
Image: scrapbooking.craftgossip.com
7. Choose your colours wisely
Did you know that colour plays a huge part in your mood? For example, choosing a wallpaper or paint colour in cool or neutral colours like blues, greens and greys can reduce your heart rate, lower your blood pressure and slow down your breathing rate. Those shades are therefore ideal for the bedroom.
Citrusy hues like yellow or orange, on the other hand, help stimulate the appetite, so are great for the kitchen or dining room.
Image: uk.homary.com
8. Don’t forget scent
Scent also affects our moods strongly. If you want to sleep better, use diffusers or essential oils to fill your bedroom with calming aromas like lavender or chamomile. In the heat of the summer months, dabs of rosemary, lemon or orange oil on a fan can perk up your energy. On the other hand, if you’re feeling the winter chill, light a cinnamon, oud or sandalwood candle to feel a bit cosier.
But if you want to implement this interior design tip to boost your health, just make sure any scent you use is 100% natural! Artificially scented candles and room sprays contain VOCs, which can cause asthma, skin rashes, and over time, even more serious diseases.
Image: Marthastewart.com
9. Yes, toxic furnishings are a thing
If you’re looking for more interior design ideas for better health, don’t forget to make smart furniture purchases. It’s a fact that most furniture is toxic. Soft furnishings could be sprayed with fire retardants, which have been proven to cause serious health issues, including cancer, for example.
Or, hard furnishings may be painted with toxic varnish or wood finishings. Carpets are another typical culprit. If they’re not made from natural fibres, they probably contain loads of petrol-based chemicals and materials. If they smell like chemicals, it’s because they’re probably full of them!
To ensure your health is maintained at home, only choose organic or non-toxic mattresses, chairs and sofas. Go for carpets made of jute, hemp or wool.
Photo: @ntinahome.gr Instagram
10. Keep it clean
Having loads of soft furnishings, carpets, and throw cushions can feel cosy, sure. But our final interior design tip to boost your health is this. Either constantly vacuum those furnishings, or ditch them for smoother surfaces. The reason? In a word, dust.
Soft furnishings and carpets – especially wall-to-wall – can gather incredible amounts of dust. Dust can contain everything from particles of smog to skin cells and tiny bugs. Yuk!
A streamlined, more minimalistic interior ensures you avoid attracting more dust. Cleaning is easier, too. But that’s not all! As mentioned in our introduction, an uncluttered space is psychologically soothing, too.
Photo: @topcleanteam Instagram
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