Happiness Is In The Details

Interior Design Psychology

By Gina G. Courbron, IRIS, CISS, IDS Associate

Homes decorated to support desired emotions create happy spaces for joyful living. Today, interior design psychology goes beyond basic design principals by considering the effects of those elements on our senses. Rather than decorating to follow a certain style, choosing specific lighting, patterns, colors, and other elements to support happiness and well-being should be considered.

The psychology of design includes the understanding of both physical and psychological effects and reactions. For example, knowledge of the psychological effects of color and how it can be used in a home makeover can ensure a room uplifts, calms, or energizes.

We all know that a trickling waterfall not only looks nice, but it also relaxes those nearby. Did you know that certain lighting makes you feel irritable while other lighting decisions bring you comfort? Are you aware that undulating patterns uplift the spirit, while some geometric patterns cause anxiety?

Our reaction to design elements leads to our psychological response. It is these responses that can help you choose interior design elements that bring out emotional support in your home decorating. You can encourage happiness based on the way your senses - vision, hearing, touch, smell, and even taste - react to interior design details.

Here are some things to consider when decorating for the senses:

1) Ask yourself how you need and want to feel in a room. Do you want to feel calmness and serenity, or feel awakened and energized?

2) Learn about lighting; this is an extremely important factor in residential design. Poor or inappropriate lighting will help determine how well your room functions, and if it used for the purpose in mind.

3) Use colors appropriate to the natural setting, lighting and desired emotional response. Color psychology is the most important tool in design. It can make or break the mood you want to create in a room.

4) Think about reactions to patterns already in the room and add harmonious ones to those. Make sure they are the right scale and type. Patterns are proven to make people happy, but do avoid patterns larger than your palm as they interfere with people in the room.

5) Choose comfort over presence. Just because a sofa looks great, does not mean it will provide seating comfort.

6) Choose some design ideas for your pleasure as well as individual needs. Design spaces to give yourself and others comfort, reassurance and merriment. Keep family and guests in mind.

Once you understand how your home decorating choices influence your emotions, you can follow your own inspiration. Remember, home decoration is not a permanent state because our rooms and homes evolve as our lives change.

Choose home improvements and furnishings for productivity and happiness, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Enjoy the process and focus on your goal of creating a home that is pleasurable to you by designing happy spaces! 

For information about GG Design Inspirations and Gina’s design services, please visit www.ggdesigninspirations.com, or call 410-672-7224.