If you find yourself or a loved one struggling with a low or bad mood it may be time to take a look at the immediate environment and start changing a few things. It won’t always be obvious what needs to be changed, so we’ve gathered a few of the most common interior design changes that could have a positive effect on your mood.
When you have been in the same environment for a long period of time it’s very common to become blind to the little interior flaws that a room might have, that’s exactly why we have created this post.
Declutter
Over a lifetime many of us purposefully or accidentally collect items that over time can begin to clog up our homes. We suggest taking a close look at the rooms where you spend the majority of your time. Take a look at every item in each room, small or large and ask yourself:
- When was the last time I used this?
- Will I ever use it?
- Does this item have any sentimental value?
- Does it belong to you, or do you need to return it to its owner?
- Does the item make you happy or improve the quality of your life?
If the answer is no to more than 3 of the above questions, then it may worthwhile getting rid of all of the items that fail the test. When disposing of your unwanted items don’t just through them away, try recycling them first or even turning to sites like eBay, remember one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
Change the dominant colour
It’s been proven that colours can influence your mood, with specific colours correlating to specific states of mind. Below we’ve highlighted the most common colour associations:
White – Fresh, clean and young
Red – Bold and attention grabbing
Blue – Stable and safe
The first step here would be to assess the colour you want to move towards then slowly start introducing paint or furnishings that take you in that direction. If you are lucky enough to already have a neutral paint colour on the wall, then it may be as easy as buying a few additional furnishings like rugs, cushions, blankets or vases in your new happy colour.
If you already have a powerful colour on the walls there is no avoiding the fact you will have to break out a paint brush or call in the decorators. Just remember to spot test parts of the wall in key areas before you take the plunge and paint the whole room.
Let there be light
Whilst closely related to colour psychology we’ve separated light out into a standalone option of its own. This is because simply opening your curtains or switching on the lights can have a truly transformative effect on both your mood and the room. If you are not lucky enough to have a window or skylight big enough to bathe your room in natural light then low-cost LED lights are a convenient option for you. LED lights can produce higher colour temperatures in the range of 5000 – 6500 K that can closely mimic natural daylight. LED lights also have a range of other positive benefits such as being more energy-efficient, and helping you save money. Online retailers like All Lights sell high quality, low cost bulbs that can help introduce LED lighting technology to the masses.
Infographic created by FCA Floor Covering Associates, Top-of-the-Line Flooring Store Serving the Chicago Area