How to Make Your Home a Happier Place.

  

Why do we call it home? Is it because it is where we live or because it is our place of rest? Yes, that’s probably true but is that all it is to us??? A home is our safe place which we’ve built and internally arranged to match the person of our being, it is that one place where one is free to be whoever and choose to do whatever they so wish with their personal space. Making a home a happy place is something I personally feel has to do with the interior colors, furniture type, wall painting, lighting among other things.

PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR

Each color has different psychological effect, as such certain colors are better suited to certain room.

FENG SHUI

This translates from Chinese as “wind water” and is over 3000 years old. It teaches that the energies of a home must be balanced in other to promote good health and fortune for its inhabitants.

BIOPHILIA HYPOTHESIS

It suggests that due to our evolutionary history, human beings have a preference for being around nature, and find its absence distressing.

LIVING ROOM

·         - The color green is a refreshing color which according to research promotes rest and recuperation, this makes it a great color for your living room.

·         - Natural lights sources like daylight coming into a space is good for maintaining energy levels but in a case where that is not sufficient Introducing halogen bulbs into your living room is great as it mimics the natural light. You would also like to know that tinted bulbs create a warmer atmosphere in any space but of course you could switch between the two depending on your mood, nothing a little wiring here and there can’t solve.

·         - If you happen to be one who loves their space while taking a nap, the best furniture for you is a soft couch or you could get a chaise but if you happen to be one who loves to be on their own; an individual chair would do you better than a couch.

·        -  For the love of everything green, natural and beautiful, you might want to introduce a plant that grows in the presence of low light such as Reed or Areca.

DINING ROOM

·         - The red color is generally associated with danger according to research is also known to raise blood pressure, the heart-rate and stimulates conversations.

·         - Lightning such as a central fitment no more than 60cm above the height of the table, table lamps and accent lightning around the room’s perimeter can be introduced to create a relaxed environment around the room

STUDY

·         - Purple is a bold color associated with productivity and wellness which makes it the ideal color for your study/workspace.

·         - Do not block out natural light with heavy curtains instead employ the use of venetian blind in your study/work space. Research show that people happen to be more productive under the natural light of the day than under artificial light.

·         - Do not face your desk or table against a wall as this will affect your level of concentration and productivity.

KITCHEN

·         - Yellow color is best for your kitchen as this creates a sunny and bright environment and Feng Shui teaches that the color aids digestion.

·         - Good lightning in the kitchen is also something that should be carefully selected. Multi-head spot lights can be installed to direct light to key work stations.

·         - If there is room for a seating area in the kitchen, you might want to introduce floor lights to map out the area to create a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen.

·         - You may also want to introduce a spider plant as it removes poisonous gasses and other air impurities in the kitchen.

BEDROOM

·         - The color blue is a calm, motivating, lowers blood pressure and the heart-rate making it the best color for your bedroom.

·         - Use of thick curtains should be implemented to keep out the light of the early morning sun.

·         - Use of electronics in the bedroom should be moderate and if possible, use none at all.

·         - Lavender plants which are colorful with sweet fragrance are good for a musty bedroom.

·         - Your bed should be placed diagonally opposite the door so you have a clear view of the whole room.

·         - Research shows that making your bed in the morning after you wake makes you happy and productive.

·         - Avoid mirrors in places where you like to rest as this creates much energy.

BATHROOM

·         - Introduce earthly colors into your bathroom using its contents like your towel, drape etc.

·         - Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant with numerous healing properties and cure for skin irritations – all it needs is a little sunlight to flourish.

There’s no perfect guide book for interior design, all it needs is a bit of you and everything that makes you happy. What are your thoughts, please do share with us in the comment section below???