The way that you design the interiors of your home can influence your mood in various ways. The places that we inhabit on a daily basis can affect our feelings, thoughts, behaviours, and even our health.
For a relaxed atmosphere in a space, scenic views such as natural landscapes have been known to promote calmness and tranquillity. To achieve this feeling in a space, you’ll want fewer pieces of furniture, more natural items (such as solid wood and wicker), plant life, and warm or calm colours. Blue is known to have a calming affect on a space, whereas yellow, while a warm, happy colour, also promotes energy and life.
Lighting is also influential. Warm white bulbs and lighting solutions will make a space more comfortable and ambient, whereas cool white is bright and better for rooms that are used much during the day and afternoon. LEDs are brighter and last longer than traditional light bulbs.
To create energy in a space, use white or natural woods mixed with contrasting colours (like yellow and black). Kitchens are great for these kind of combinations, as they can take full advantage of this particular theme. Kitchens are typically either traditional or modern. You’ll find two extremes when it comes to kitchen design: either the homely country design or a sleek, modern design. Either can be brought to life with a splash of bold colour against their black or natural backdrop.
Living rooms are tricky, because personality and personal preference plays a large part in stylistic and colour choices. Depending on the look you’re trying to achieve, you can easily play down the colours so that the space looking inviting and warm. If you’re going with red, which can give a living room a passionate feel, add in a contrasting colour like white or cream to soften it, and use natural woods; not too light, not too dark.
Green works well in most rooms of the home. It’s the colour we most associate with nature, next to blues and yellows, so it’s easy to combine with various pieces of furniture and other designs to create different affects. Brown and green always make a space give off an earthier feeling, which is perfect for kitchens, conservatories, or bedrooms; especially if you’re planning on using a significant amount of plant life or other natural colours.
If you’re going for a sleeker, more modernised look, you may want to consider using a mixture of monochrome colours (white, grey, black), and a contrasting colour to give space a colour pop. Kitchens and living rooms, especially, benefit from this kind of design. Black is a colour of power, perfect for a statement room. White is universally popular and works well with a range of colours and shades. Grey promotes serenity. By using these colours in combination with your design, you can easily create several feelings in the same space. For something extremely modern, try metal furnishings with black and white walls and floors, and a minimalistic approach.