We recently talked aboutdopamine pad Wear bright, bold colors to boost your mood, and this week we’re talking to therapist-turned-designer Jill Kroka Get mood-boosting tips for designing your space. “Our spaces profoundly influence our mood and well-being, even if it is on a subconscious level,” Croca says. “The substances we surround ourselves with can activate our senses or calm our nervous system.” From creating a sense of balance to choosing art with mood in mind, here are some tips to take with you during May (AKA Mental Health Awareness Month) and beyond so you can design a home that reflects and inspires a calm, happy spirit.
Photo: Dane Deaner for Unsplash
Get rid of the physical and emotional clutter.
Clutter can frustrate you and put pressure on you. Things are on your way, you can’t find what you need, and you can’t clean it all out. “Chaos stimulates the nervous system and causes stress,” Kroka says. “Using systems for containment and regulation creates a more functional and calming environment.” Start a new day with fewer things for a quiet and comfortable home. Donate, recycle, exchange or store anything you don’t use, want, or need to remove from your home *and* your mind.
Also look at digital removal (deleting old emails, storing photos and videos, deleting old files) and even emotional clutter removal. A journal about what is working well in your life and what is not working well. What makes you feel stressed or tired? What can you do to get rid of this kind of clutter in your mind in order to free it up for more productive and fulfilling experiences? Look at ways to simplify your life through the way you organize your space, and start feeling more in control of your life.
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Image source: Jill Croka
Connect with nature indoors and out.
“Research shows that signals from nature in the materials reduce blood pressure and blood pressure,” Kroka says. “The same effect can be achieved with layering textures and soft, earthy tones.” Bring it inside More plantsClean windows to enhance natural lighting, freshen up your sheets and throw pillows to give your space a light and airy feel.
“Focusing on window views and outdoor landscapes is very beneficial for mental health,” says Kroka. If you’re lacking in views and outdoor space: “Add layers of light with lamps, sconces, and pendants to create warmth, while incorporating plants to liven up the space and give it an outdoorsy feel,” she adds.
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Create a sense of balance.
“Balance is key to any successful space, so depending on the space’s architecture, balance must be achieved with materials and furniture placement to achieve the space’s overall function,” says Croka. Find symmetry in the seating and move things around to create open spaces that allow room to breathe, even if you only have a small space. Pair the colors you love with neutrals so that they appear with small doses of happiness.
Think about how you start your morning and carry on with your day. If you are a WFH, Create an attractive workspaceTo be clean and organized, maybe have your favorite candle near you, or words of wisdom on the wall, or just a great view. If you’re in a hurry the morning you’re running out the door, create a functional and beautiful entryway where you can always put your keys, bag, hat, sunglasses, etc.
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Photo: Julia Peretiatko for Unsplash
Carve out a meditation area.
Whether this is a file reading corner or actual Yoga/meditation spaceFind a calming center for your home that allows you to check in with yourself and take a break from social media, work and all the demands of life. Focus yourself on breathing exercises or whatever your reasons are so you can spend your day (or night) mentally stronger.
Image source: Jill Croka
View art that makes you feel good.
“Art is the final element that holds the space together and makes the home feel like it’s lived in, while still providing a unique experience,” Croka says. Find art that gives you a sense of calm and/or joy. Nature-inspired prints remind you of your happy place, print vibes that inspire, and abstract prints that make you feel hopeful. “Art should be a reflection of you and your space and can be a source of uplift and inspiration,” says Kroka.
Photo: Estée Janssens for Unsplash
Make your own vision board.
Use your home to help you set a goal. Create a vision board that represent the life you want, from the career you want to build to the relationships you want to foster in your life. Having this positive view of your future can help you organize your thoughts into clear, actionable goals and maintain a sense of purpose, ultimately giving you the daily mood you need to feel better at home.
Find more home décor ideas on our Pinterest page!