Interior design is defined as “the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space.”
My layman’s definition: interior design is how we arrange or decorate our immediate space in a way that makes us happy and healthy; no matter the budget, no matter the size of the space.
There are professional interior designers, yes, but there are interior design hobbyists like us, and there are a lot of us. Case in point: the Home Buddies FB community that was started (and exploded) during lockdown.
While we were all stuck at home, we realized the importance of how we decorate our living, dining, cooking, and working space, and we began sharing tips with one another (especially helpful for small spaces like condos). It became crucial for our mental health, because we needed to work and study from home. #myhappyplace is one of the most used hashtags in this community.
Turning our space into a happy place
Let’s take a moment to pause and reflect: Does your space make you happy? Honestly, how do you feel when you are in it? If you have to work, exercise, or be productive, does it stimulate you? Why or why not? What do you need to change?
I’ll share my answers with you: My space makes me happy. I love all the natural light that comes in. I can work well at home, but I am not very inspired to exercise. What I need to change in order to address this is to remove clutter. Clutter weighs down on my mind and keeps me distracted when I need to focus on my wellness.
The Danish have this principle called hygge which means “finding comfort, pleasure, and warmth in simple, soothing things” (afar.com). When applied to interior design, according to foresthomestore.com, hygge means “living in harmony with your spaces.”
According to the same website, there are “real psychological effects that can occur from the decor in your spaces.”
They shared the following aspects that need to be considered if we want to optimize our space for our health and well-being:
Function
Are you able to function in your space? Can you move about with ease so you feel free and unblocked to move? Your answer will point to whether your space supports optimal function, whether mentally, emotionally, or physically.
Clutter
Does everything have a place and is everything in its place? “Organized chaos” might not be helpful, because clutter has been found to have the same negative effects on the mind as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Spaciousness
Do you feel like you can “breathe” in your space? This could be as literal as a high ceiling, or colors that make your ceiling appear higher. A sense of space instantly lifts one’s mood, the way minimalism also can.
Balance
This does not exactly mean symmetry. It means pieces being in parts of your space where they belong. This way, as you go from one room to the next, the energy shift is just right, and you don’t feel off.
Natural light
Sunlight is scientifically known as an instant mood lifter. This is helpful for those of us who are not exactly fans of rainy days. How much natural light do you get in your space? This could also positively impact even your pets!
How we design or arrange our space is not just about making it Instagrammable or Home Buddies-friendly. It is also about how we make it healthier and happier, because it is where we spend most of our lives, especially in the hybrid and remote work era.
I hope you will be able to look at your space through the lens of the aspects we have shared. And I pray that you always feel genuine joy at home, that you sleep soundly, and that you wake up happily — with big thanks to your space.
