If you come home at the end of a hard day at work and the sight of your home just further brings you down, you know it’s high time for a change. Here are a few tips for creating a positive atmosphere through interior design.
Start by cleaning
The first step to infusing your home with good vibes is taking out your cleaning supplies and ensuring that everything is spotless. It is not rocket science how messiness can evoke negative emotions. A cluttered space is nothing less than stressful: as soon as you walk in, your brain is overwhelmed by all the uncompleted tasks it suggests. Clutter also makes it hard to clean your space. So, first, remove unnecessary items. Only keep decorations and knick-knacks that bring you joy. Then, give the space a good cleaning. It will immediately look and feel much better.
Colours matter
If you want your interior to feel homey and relaxing, you might need to change your current colour palette. Colours in interior design are much more than just an aesthetic element; the colours of your space can influence the way you feel, so simply repainting your walls can completely change the vibe your space exudes. Learn about colour psychology and pick the shade that fits your needs. If you are planning to create a serene oasis, muted blues are the perfect choice for a calming effect. If you want a brighter colour that is associated with happiness, positivity, and power—even in Feng Shui—consider yellow shades.
Dress up your walls
Even if you pick a fantastic shade for your walls that bathes the space in warmth, your walls will look bare and cold if they are empty. It is where wall décor comes into the picture. Remember that the most important thing is that your space feels personal to you, and you feel comfortable in it. That means that your wall décor should speak to you above all. The artwork you love and that makes you think of positive things is the perfect wall decoration. Feel free to get creative and make this art piece yourself if you haven’t found anything that speaks to your soul.
Pick the right lights
Besides the colours, another thing that influences the whole look and feel of the space is light. Even the same colours don’t look the same in different lighting, so it’s no wonder this element can enhance or completely ruin your efforts at creating a nice and relaxing space. Natural light is the best option out there. The presence of sunlight immediately boosts our mood and makes us feel optimistic. However, we need to account for artificial light as well. Steer clear of cold white lights and go for warm light-emitting bulbs instead. Add a variety of light fixtures: for instance, a salt lamp with its golden glow looks amazing as a décor element.
The power of plants
The ultimate way to bring good vibes into your home is by adding some life to it. You can do that by introducing greenery. Plants are much more than just decoration. They represent mother nature, the source of life, and their presence makes a world of difference in any interior. A splash of greenery helps you relax and feel at ease, reduces stress, and even boosts your indoor air with fresh oxygen. Consider adopting a couple of houseplants and incorporating them into your design. You can also combine aesthetic with practical and create a small vegetable garden on your balcony. Hydroponic farming makes it easy and mess-free!
Mind the air
You might not think of the air you breathe as an interior element, but thinking about this aspect of your home can go a long way in imbuing your space with positive energy. First of all, clean air is paramount. The aforementioned implementation of greenery will give you a helping hand, but it’s highly recommended that you open your windows frequently and/or get an air purifier if needed. Additionally, don’t forget that each of your senses plays a role in how you feel about your space. Bringing some relaxing scents into your interior can thus boost the good vibes effortlessly. An oil diffuser or some scented candles will do the job.
Our homes should make us feel safe, comfortable, and calm. Assess your interior and determine what it is that prevents you from feeling that way, and do something about it. Remember that this is should be your personal space, so don’t feel obliged to follow guides strictly. Take these tips as inspiration and customize your space to your needs.
Author bio: Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a writer and designer, and her ultimate passion is art and architecture. She is also a bibliophile and her favourite book is “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner.