Interior design and emotion are instrumentally linked. In this blog, our Interior Design Marketing Team share their expert insight into how you can create feelings of happiness in your home through colour psychology, strategic lighting and spatial awareness.
How Does A Room Make You Feel?
Each room serves a purpose in your home. Your bedroom is a place of rest and relaxation and should convey a sense of calmness. A living space could be used to relax or entertain, embracing a sense of harmony.
Your study could be a home office where you must focus and be productive. Your open-plan kitchen could be both a social space and an entertaining area in one. Interior design trends transform your home and can trigger emotional responses, so consider how a room makes you feel and how you want it to make you feel when considering interior design.
Whether you’re looking to induce feelings of relaxation, happiness or excitement, consider the power of colour palettes, natural light and social interaction when creating your space. With some thoughtful and careful planning and attention to detail, you can create an environment that will make you and your visitors feel right at home.
Using Natural Light To Invoke Emotion
Interior design can evoke a variety of emotions in the people who inhabit it. Whether it’s feelings of happiness, comfort or calm, certain interior design elements can have a powerful psychological effect. Through the use of colour choice, lighting and pattern, interior design can profoundly impact and create an atmosphere that positively affects mood, blood pressure and even energy levels.
Large windows, bio folding doors onto the garden, and skylights in ceilings encourage a light and airy feel to your home. Frosted window treatments and window coverings such as wooden shutters still allow light to pour into your home with the added advantage of retaining privacy.
By utilising natural light sources, you’ll be able to create an environment that will bring out the best in people.
Choose Colour With Confidence
When choosing a base colour scheme for your home or office space, opt for warm colour schemes to induce positive feelings. These warm colours are popular choices because they naturally evoke feelings of happiness and comfort. Neutral colours such as greys, ecru and whites help to create a sense of scenery and calm in a space. For interiors which require a contrast, consider introducing pops of bright colours as accent colours to make a room more interesting and more dynamic.
Lighting
Bright, natural light is important for creating an atmosphere of energy and cheerfulness. Where available, natural sunlight can be used to significant effect in any interior design scheme, but it’s especially useful for inducing positive emotions. However, not every room or house lends itself to enjoying the benefit of natural light, so choosing lighting schemes which mimic natural light through artificial lights can instantly transform dark homes. By adapting wall lights, scattering free-standing lamps around the house, and carefully choosing ceiling lighting, you can add atmosphere and practicality to your home.
Bright lighting helps to create a dynamic energy that makes people feel energised and excited. On the other hand, dimmer lights help to create a sense of calm and relaxation. When considering your options for lighting, make sure to take into account the mood you want your space to evoke.
Get Social
Creating areas for social interaction is another powerful way to invoke emotion through interior design. When people gather together in a space designed with comfort and leisure in mind, they can have meaningful conversations that can lead to emotional connections and positive experiences.
When adding those finishing touches, remember that aromas are essential in setting the tone for any interior design, so include scented candles and diffusers as part of your emotional interior design.
Texture Treats
In addition to colour and light, texture is another crucial element when invoking emotion through interior design. Using the right textures can evoke a particular feeling in the space. For example, a plush carpet or a velvet couch can create feelings of comfort and warmth. At the same time, interesting textures like stone, wood or sheepskin can give an area a stunning connection with nature, boosting energy in a relaxing way. You can also use fabrics such as silk to give an air of elegance to your furnishing. Experimenting with different textures within your interior design can create the right atmosphere for your needs.
Furniture Arrangement:
Your arrangement of furniture has a significant impact on how people perceive their environment. If you want to welcome visitors to a room, consider the placement of your furniture. For instance, you can create an intimate atmosphere by grouping armchairs facing each other and adding a cosy throw blanket over the couch. This arrangement creates an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that encourages meaningful conversations.
By considering all of these elements carefully, you can create an interior design scheme that will evoke a variety of emotions in its inhabitants.
Colour choice, natural light, texture and furniture arrangement all play a part in setting the tone for any space. With some thought and effort, you can ensure that your home or office is an inviting oasis for all who enter it.
Accessorising With Colour
One of the most potent ways to evoke emotion in interior design is through small pops of colour. Adding vases, candles, artwork, or even colourful throws and pillows to your space can immensely impact the overall atmosphere. Colourful accessories bring a sense of life and vibrancy to a room you can’t achieve with base colours alone. Furthermore, they help create a unique look that reflects your style and preferences.
