IT’S IN THE LIGHTS
Light is another amazing
mood booster and nothing
beats natural sunlight in this
aspect. So, if you can afford
getting skylights, well and
good. Otherwise, strip your windows of
any thick, dark drapes and switch to
sheers to maximise the amount of
sunlight in the home.
During the night, artificial lights can
work too. “For rooms like the home
office and kitchen, where people want
to stay alert, use high-powered white
ceiling lights. Whereas for the living and
bedrooms, where you want to create an
intimate and relaxed mood, go for
warm lighting, preferably with floor or
table lamps for a gentler effect rather
than harsh overhead lights,” says Lim.
Mood
lifting
homedecor
AUGUST 1, 2014
>Maximise happinesswith interior decor
F
OR
many, home is where we spend a great deal of time. Whether we realise it or not, our
living environment has some control over our moods and feelings , and can even affect
one’s happiness to some degree.
Interior designers have long understood how certain aspects of a home, such as
lighting andwall colour, can affect mood. Numerous studies have been conducted to back this
claim. As a homeowner, take advantage of this valuable piece of information and start
incorporating decor choices that not only beautify your home, but maximise your level
of happiness.
“The process does not have to be complicated. Even simple changes canmake a big
difference in lifting your mood and changing your attitude,” says interior designer Lauren Lim.
Here are five simple ways to revise interiors and boost your mood.
FLOWER POWER
Do you know that flowers are potent mood boosters? According to a
behavioural study by Harvard University, a group of participants who described
themselves as being “least positive” in the morning, reportedly felt happier and
more energetic in the early hours after they looked at flowers in the morning.
For the study, flowers were placed in the room that participants frequented the most in
the morning.
So, take a cue, and for a quick boost of positive energy, keep a vase of your favourite
blooms on your kitchen counter, desk or nightstand.
1
2
COLOUR THERAPY
Colour can evoke many moods. It has the power to relax, invigorate and
even increase appetite. But just because a certain colour is associated
with a particular emotion, it not necessarily has to have the same impact
on you or everyone else.
The truth is, a person’s reaction to a colour is often deeply rooted. For
example, as a child, you may have grown up watching your dad cook in a green
coloured kitchen. Therefore, as an adult, you may find yourself feeling happiest
cooking in a similar hued space because it evokes those fond memories.
“You can follow colour trends but based on experience, the best way to
benefit from a colour is to sit back and think about what a colour brings out in
you,” says Lim. “Do you feel upbeat in a red room? Does being in a purple room
make you calm?”
3
SHAPE IT RIGHT
The shape of your furniture is definitely
something you should consider. According
to neuro-architecture, the human brain
tends to find things with curves to be
calming, a stress-reliever, compared to things with
rough edges.
When you have
many straight, hard
edges in furniture,
you tend to feel
anxious, whereas a
slightly curved couch
or a wooden table
with the curves left
in the design, can
psychologically
help you slow down
and relax.
5
IN THE FEEL
Though you may not automatically realise the
link between texture and mood, think about
how happy you feel when you change into a
comfortable, cotton t-shirt when you get home
or how relaxed you are, covered in a soft blanket on a cold
night. Texture makes us feel a certain way. The more
comfortable an item is to your touch, the better you will feel
when you interact with it.
“Whether it is your furniture or flooring, don’t just go
for things that look nice. Go for items that feel right to you
when you touch them as well,” says Lim. “Your leather
may look great but if you get hot and sticky after sitting
on it for two hours, it is very likely that it will affect your
mood,” she adds.
Suggested room colours and
their effect on moods
• Living room
Lavender - Relaxing
Green - Encourages feeling of tranquility
•
Home office
Blue - Productive
Orange - Increases energy
• Dining room
Yellow - Increases appetite
Light brown - Calming
• Kitchen
Light blue - Soothing effect
Beige - Increases concentration
• Bedroom
Pink - Calming
Purple - Regal
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Aromatherapy as mood boosters
Infuse your living spaces with these
essential oils for a more positive mood
• Basil -
Lifts fatigue
• Ylang-ylang -
Relaxes the mind
• Clary Sage -
Lessens anxiety
• Sandalwood -
Relieves tension
• Jasmine -
Increases alertness
• Lavender -
Reduces tension and
stress-related conditions
• Peppermint -
Uplifting and
increases concentration
• Chamomile -
Provides mental clarity
DID YOU KNOW?
In a 2013 survey by US fashion
retailer HomeGoods:
93%
of participants felt that the
decor of their home could positively
or negatively affect their mood.
99%
of participants felt that simple
updates to the interior décor could
make them happier.
39%
felt that a change in the colour
palette would have the most
positive impact on their moods.
46%
felt that better lighting could
improve their moods.
