The Psychology Of Interior Design
Posted by The Canningvale Team on 24th Jun 2020
When you think about it, we expect a lot from our homes. As well as providing shelter, safety, and security, we want them to help us relax, recharge, communicate, and socialize, all the while providing an opportunity for satisfying self-expression. It’s a lot to ask of four walls, yet there are homes of all shapes and sizes that rise to the challenge.
So what’s their secret? What’s the difference between a home that ticks all the boxes and one that’s simply nice enough?
There’s a general consensus that it all comes to down to interior design psychology; a field of inquiry focused on maximising the positive effects of the relationship between an environment and its inhabitants. Rather than looking purely at the aesthetics of a space, it also takes its usability, intuitiveness, and connectivity into account.
Confused? Let’s explore the concept in concrete terms, looking at ways you can put its wisdom to use in your home.
Colour
Colour psychology is used a lot in interior design. It’s why yellow, orange, and green are often used in creative, collaborative spaces, and subdued blues, creams, and greys are often featured in spaces used for reflection and relaxation: bright shades promote bursts of energy while softer tones promote calm.
Perhaps a more interesting observation to come out of the field relates to colouring our homes to reinforce natural behaviours and evolutionary instincts. Based in the idea that humans understand space at an intrinsic level as a savannah, floors should be the darkest (wooden flooring is ideal), walls should be neutral, and the ceiling should be light like the sky. Because this colour scheme mimics our natural environment, it’s less stressful to be in, allowing our homes to hit some of those goals we talked about earlier, like relaxation.
Nature
Speaking of natural environments, another well-evidenced component of interior design psychology is the importance of natural light, vistas, and plants. Numerous studies have found the existence of these elements improves both our physical and mental health. A landmark study in the 80s even showed that patients with a view out of hospital windows required less pain medication and had significantly faster recovery times than those in windowless rooms. If sunlight and a vantage point to the great outdoors can reduce the impact of serious illness, imagine what they can do for everyday stressors.
If your home has a lack of sunlight or pleasant outlook, fear not: nature photography and paintings with natural elements and patters have been shown to have similar benefits (read more here) to the real thing.
Symmetry
Symmetry is inherently attractive to the human eye; thanks to the fact it exists all around us in nature. Think of how branches are arranged on a tree, or leaves on a branch, or the curvature of a seashell. Because symmetry is familiar to us, it’s easier for our brains to process, allowing us to make sense of symmetrical spaces quickly. This is why we often interpret well balanced rooms as pleasing, harmonious, and calming.