Have you ever taken some time to reflect on how different spaces and environments stir up various emotions and feelings? For instance, a sterile doctor’s office may conjure feelings of angst and stress, whereas a serene spa-like atmosphere may instantly induce feelings of security and peace. It’s obvious that contrasting environments like these two examples can create distinct emotions, but what about different rooms and spaces found within your own household? Can each unique space hold the keys to affecting your mood for the better? In our straightforward opinion, yes, depending on the design choices of your home’s rooms, we believe your moods can be either positively or negatively affected. Today, we’re sharing a few ways your design choices impact your overall mood. 

HOW COLORS IN DESIGN AFFECT YOUR MOOD
The first topic of discussion is the simple use of specific colors in your home to evoke feelings of positivity and peace. There has been ample research surrounding the psychology of color usage and how certain tones influence thoughts and feelings. For example, the more vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and green may encourage socializing and upbeat positivity, while rich hues of navy, maroon, and deep purple may lead you into a deeper, more contemplative thought process. Light blues and greens are often used in more serene settings (think of color tones of a spa, if you’ve ever visited one), whereas lemons and tangerines scream “creativity”!

Being cognizant of how you use colors in your decorating choices is important for creating spaces that positively impact your mood and the feelings you want each space to create. Take your bedroom. Rather than incorporating the creativity-sparking colors of tangerine and oranges and yellows, opt for more calming colors, like blues and light greens. You want your bedroom to be a place that creates ultimate rest and relaxation! Looking for a fun, upbeat way to decorate your sunroom? THIS is the prime place to throw in those vibrant yellows and oranges! Lean on these colors to create spaces filled with life, joy, and creativity.

CHOOSE YOUR LIGHTING WELL
Have you ever walked into a dark room and instantly felt the exhaustion of the day envelop you? What about that feeling of dread when you enter into a room lit merely by fluorescent overheads (for many of this, these lights remind us of our days spent in grade school)? The use of light in your decorated spaces truly impacts your mood, and it’s important to be aware of how you are lighting up each space.

For rooms in your home that are meant for lighthearted family time, try to lean into the use of as much natural light as possible. If using natural light to illuminate these more upbeat areas of the home is not an option, choose soft lighting and various levels of lamps… this alone will positively impact the overall “feeling” of the space.

In places you’d like to create more serenity, like your bedroom, ditch fluorescents and overhead lighting and opt for lamps and candles instead. You’ll be surprised how changing even just the lighting can change the entire mood.

UTILIZE FENG SHUI

Use the ancient Chinese art of feng shui to attract what the ancients say: luck, success, love, and positive energy! There are tons of step-by-step guidelines to actively creating perfect feng shui in your home, but our favorite how-to guide by Real Simple magazine can be found HERE. (Photo Credit: My Domaine)

ADD PLANTS TO BRING EXTRA LIFE
House plants have made quite the pop in interior design over the past two years, and we don’t foresee them going anywhere in the near future! Adding plants to your interior spaces not only brings a little life (literally) into your home, but they also add nice sparks of color and can make killer statements! Not sure where to begin when it comes to choosing inside-friendly plants? This PopSugar article spells out Joanna Gaines’ favorite plant ideas perfectly>> 

Your home should be your launching pad and a soft place to land, it should offer comfort and rest, and should be the very place that uplifts your spirits! By following just a few simple rules, you’re sure to create a space that impacts your mood in only the most positive of ways.