Mental health is a major concern for people across the United States and worldwide. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, the most common mental illness in the country is anxiety, affecting approximately 40 million people every year. Everyone has specific triggers that spark their anxiety, and everyone deals with it differently as well. The interior design of a home often gets overlooked as being a contributing factor to the cognitive disability you might have, but it plays a bigger role than you think. Here are some of the ways the interior design of your house could be impacting your mental health.
Impacts Of Light And Color
People typically are in better moods when there’s more natural light entering a home. The same is true with office spaces, which is why companies are incorporating natural light into renovations they do. Artificial lighting is necessary but should not be the primary source of light in the home throughout the day. You can make modifications to your home by adding windows, removing coverings over windows, strategically placing mirrors on the wall, and using bright colors throughout the home. The human brain can quickly adapt to these changes, and people often experience reduced anxiety because of the soothing benefits of natural light.
Furniture Textures Can Be Uncomfortable
Anyone with an existing cognitive disability can experience some anxiety depending on the texture of furniture and other items throughout the home. Sensory experiences are huge for people with a cognitive disability, and soft and smooth textures can help provide a calming environment. Combine soft textures with calming colors or patterns, and you could be surprised at how your mental health improves. Comfort is critical in the home, so if you or a loved one are struggling with feeling comfortable at home, consider switching out some of your furniture items for ones with softer textures.
Reduce Clutter And Organize Items
You don’t have to have a cognitive disability to feel a little anxious when your home is cluttered. And this doesn’t always mean the clutter is on the floors. Having too many decorations or an unorganized pantry can play a role in our mental health. Plus, cluttered living spaces or bedrooms with too many furniture pieces can create fall hazards for people with a physical disability. Take a look around the inside of your home and see what can be removed to declutter the space. Also, spend some time organizing places like closets, pantries, and other areas, and you could see an improvement in your anxiety levels and mental health as a result.
The interior design of a home is typically easy to adjust if you need to change the environment. Even if your home has adequate natural light, is organized, and has comfortable furniture, changing things up periodically isn’t always a bad thing. Interior designs play a much larger role in a person’s overall mental health than they think, so look for ways to improve yours. And feel free to contact Next Day Access at any time if you need any tips or advice.