THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF FURNISHING A HOME
Guest post by Kaitlin Krull, Home Improvement Leads
When it comes to the home, personal styles and tastes can vary wildly. One thing everyone can agree on, however, is that a home should be comfortable, personal, and relaxing. Believe it or not, the way you furnish and decorate your home contributes significantly to the way you feel when you walk in the door.
At Home Improvement Leads, we feel very strongly that furnishings and home decor have the potential to have a positive effect on mental health and well being.
Here are just a few of the ways you can help to create a peaceful and safe space when furnishing you home, even when the outside world is in chaos.
COLOUR SCHEME
Color psychology, the study of colors and how they can affect our behavior and emotions, is an important factor to consider when decorating your home. Choosing the right colors in the right places can mean the difference between a home full of high stress or a peaceful home. WebMD and other color psychologists recommend warm reds, oranges, and earth tones for living areas, as they can stimulate conversation, and cool tones for bedrooms, bathrooms, and any other areas where you want to feel calm.
FLOWERS AND GREENERY
After you’ve decided on the best color scheme for your home, you don’t have to stop adding bright bursts of color. Bring the outside in and add some green to your home with fresh cut bouquets, wildflowers, or cuttings from your own backyard. In addition to lifting your mood naturally, some plants can also increase the air quality by reducing the level of toxins in your home. Aloe, spider plants, ficus, and peace lilies can all remove volatile organic compounds VOCs) while making your house more beautiful at the same time.
COMFORTABLE FURNITURE
Comfort and happiness go hand in hand, especially in the home. When furnishing your home, choose pieces that will make you feel relaxed and comfortable—we think couches and armchairs are particularly important here, but a great dining room table set will also get you excited about entertaining and keeping a social life at home. Last but certainly not least, a big, comfy bed that will help you to get the best night’s sleep possible is an essential for anyone struggling with sleeplessness.
PERSONAL EFFECTS
Adding a personal touch to your home will help to complete your design and can either help or hinder your emotional state. Bold art prints, textiles with fun patterns and designs, and decor pieces that make you feel happy will remind you why you love your home whenever you see them. When adding photos, knickknacks, and memorabilia, choose items that evoke positive memories of the best parts of your life. If at all possible, try to minimize or eliminate pieces that you associate with negative events and damaging relationships (this includes inherited furniture as well as decorative accessories). A home should be our sanctuary, the place we go to rest and recharge, so give your space a little extra TLC just like you do for yourself—the rewards will be well worth it.
