Five Ways Minimalism in Interior Design Can Improve Health and Wellness at Home
A slower pace in today’s world has given us time to reset, recharge and focus on what matters most. We’ve rediscovered that our environment and our health matters. And now more than ever, where the outside world poses so many threats to our health, our homes have become such an important sanctuary for wellness. Interior design for health and wellness aims to create spaces that positively impact our physical, emotional, mental and social well-being.
Minimalistic design supports this goal by removing the unnecessary to create beautiful spaces that focus on a life of intent and well-being. Here are five ways minimalist designs promotes health and wellness to create calm and joyful sanctuaries at home.
Minimize Stress by Reducing Clutter
It’s no secret that clutter causes anxiety and can make people less happy in their home. And now that we’re trying to live, work, play, and exercise in our homes, clutter can present a real barrier to a functional space.
By removing items that don’t serve a purpose, you’ll find it easier to focus on more meaningful activities. Start with a clean slate to create the perfect backdrop for a home that offers maximum wellness.
Minimize Noise to Get Some Peace
Along with clutter, excessive noise can also be a source of stress and anxiety. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that exposure to noise pollution can lead to a variety of ailments. These include heart disease, cognitive disorders, and sleep loss among others.
Whether the problem stems from loud neighbors, traffic and construction, or even other people in your home, noise can be a serious distraction. Interior design for health and wellness looks for ways to minimize the amount of noise pollution in your home. Updating windows and window coverings and choosing sound-dampening materials can all help make your home a more peaceful place.
Limit Colours for a Calming Effect
Interior design for health and wellness also considers how colour can influence our mood and emotions. While colour preferences are often personal, it is common to associate bold colours with energy and drama. Alternatively, minimalist design prefers neutral colours to provide a serene backdrop that allows your favourite possessions to take center stage.
Use Lighting to Improve Your Mood at Home
Not only is lighting an excellent way to add impact to a space without creating clutter, light also plays a huge role in our health and wellness. Natural light helps regulate our circadian rhythms and can affect everything from mood, to energy levels, to sleep patterns.
By designing spaces that increase the amount of natural light indoors, we can take advantage of the many health benefits light offers. But in dwellings where this isn’t an option, new smart-lighting technology can help recreate the positive effects of natural light.
Embrace Nature to Enhance Well-Being
“The therapeutic effect of nature is among the most powerful ways the environment is thought to influence the human mind.” Psychology Today
Even before the pandemic hit, we spent a staggering amount of time indoors. Studies show that as much of 90% of our time is spent inside. When the peak of the pandemic rose, this statistic rose even more as we sheltered in place to stay safe. This is a concerning statistic when you consider the fact that our health and well-being is inherently tied to nature and time spent outdoors. For those of us in Canada, we are impacted by the long cold and dark winters that keep us in our homes during the winter season.
Bringing natural elements indoors, can help create the missing connection to nature and improve our overall well-being. Design that highlights views, incorporates natural light, includes greenery, and features natural materials can help counterbalance the lack of nature in our everyday lives.
By removing barriers to well-being, minimalist design gives you a home that supports a life of ease, wellness and beauty. Connect with me to talk about how we can make your home a more calm and joyful sanctuary.