It’s lovely to have our interior spaces filled with beautiful furniture and pretty accents that look great, but we also need to pay attention to how our interior environments affect our health and well-being.
Since the average person spends up to 93% of their time indoors—at home, work, school, restaurants, stores, etc.—our well-being is greatly affected by how we respond to these built environments. Below dives deeper into the effects and how to combat them.
PHYSICAL
Your spaces affect your every move and how you feel and function. When designing your space, consider the following:
- Is the floorplan smart and logical and does it help or hinder you daily?
- Are the sounds, colors, and finishes supporting you and your activities?
- How does your home and office support any special needs?
- Air and water quality are key elements for health. Are you able to easily check your water and vent systems and filters on the regular?
- Be careful of what furniture and materials you bring into the home to keep it free of chemicals and fumes. For optimal health, I recommend using sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free materials.
- Clean flooring and furniture regularly with quality products.
- Good lighting and sleep will enhance your natural circadian rhythm, so have as much natural light as possible for the daytime, dimmers on all lights, and black-out shades at night to help you sleep.
EMOTIONAL
Think about how your interior spaces make your head and heart feel and if you feel comfortable enough emotionally to be yourself. Be sure that you are in a safe space that is as stress-free as possible, and consider all of your senses.
Things to think about:
- Be sure to surround yourself with good people and vibes so that your emotional and accessibility needs are met to create a safe space.
- To feel renewed and relaxed, surround yourself with things that make you smile like plants, a great bed, delicious aromas, and a soaking tub.
- Inspire yourself by filling your space with art and music.
- For a calming effect, consider painting your room in more serene colors like blues, greens, and lavenders.
RELATIONAL
If your space isn’t good for you physically and emotionally it will not be good for your relationships either.
To nurture your relationships:
- Provide a great conversation area where you can sit face-to-face for good long talks and those destressing dopamine hits!
- Create a space to do things that build family relationships such as a game night, cooking together, home movie night, or working out together.
- Have a functional space for a gathering of friends like a book club, neighborhood potluck dinner, or small community group.
SPIRITUAL
Be sure to provide yourself with a quiet space for renewal so that you can think, read, meditate, pray, and pay attention to your inner spirit.
It can be as simple as:
- A reading corner of your living room with a comfortable chair, good lighting, and a pile of great books.
- A yoga mat that you can use in a seldom used area of the home or office for stretching, strengthening, and meditation work.
- A sunroom full of plants or a great view to a garden area that is quiet for contemplation.
FINANCIAL
Short and simple:
- Don’t overspend on home furnishings, accessories, and gadgets that simply clutter your spaces.
- Reuse and repurpose items. Move them to other rooms to create the feeling of change without spending anything.
- Be sure that you are in a home/apartment/office that is within your monthly budget so that you can enjoy it without feeling financially burdened.
Janine Arnesen-Nolt, is an award-winning interior designer from Lancaster, PA. She is passionate about making the world a better place through beauty, kindness, healthy spaces, and all good things relating to the essential field of interior design. She leads Arnesen Nolt Interiors, a Lancaster interior design firm, and has an online course and book, both entitled “Become an Interior Designer,” which teach the basics of HOW and WHY interior design really matters!
