How your home impacts your mental health

The same as your physical health, your mental health needs to be looked after and kept in shape. You should be regularly assessing how you feel and visiting your doctor if you are worried about anything or struggling with your mental health.  Brits spend a lot of time in their homes, so it makes sense that your well-being is affected by your home environment. 

Colour

Interior design is completely personal – what works for one family will not for another. Whether it is bright colours or a monochromatic moment, there are infinite things you can do to personalise your home. However, some colours evoke different moods in a home. 

As working from home has become more normal, it is important that you create an environment that is conducive to studying and working. Contrasting light purples and off-whites in a study can help to create an environment where you can focus and be creative. This is also a great colour scheme for any areas where children do homework or revision. 

Bedrooms should be calm, relaxing spaces so peaceful colours such as light blues and greens are perfect to help you drift off to sleep. These colours can help to ease anxiety and stress which will further help you get a rejuvenating sleep.

On the opposite hand, living rooms or family rooms can go slightly brighter with colours as they are lively, lived-in spaces. Earthy tones as well as pops of colour can create a fun and engaging environment.

By having different colour schemes for different rooms your brain will start to associate them with specific moods, helping you to transition between calm and energetic a bit easier. 

Cleanliness

As every parent will attest, having a clean room does wonders for you. You may not have believed them when you were younger, but there is research to suggest that they were correct. Clutter and mess can be linked to feelings such as tension and stress, and after a long day of work that’s the last thing you need. Coming home to a clean and tidy environment helps you to leave the stress of the day at the door. 

Clutter can be kept at bay by having the correct storage in place so that everything has a home. There is often prime storage space under your stairs that isn’t being utilised properly. Combat this by getting personalised units installed that can hold everything you need whilst maximising the space you can use. 

Sensory

Although colours and tidiness can impact your mental health, there are some sensory factors to consider as well. 

Smells such as the beach or certain foods are known to evoke specific emotions and memories and the same goes for smells in your house. You could have candles dotted around or plug-in air fresheners with scents you like to help create an environment you love.

Lighting is also something that can affect your mental health. Darker rooms can feel colder and less comfy and welcoming, so place lamps in dark areas to lift the room and make it more welcoming and warm.