Psychology, Design and Feng Shui
Psychology, design and Feng Shui — what do all these have in common? Many don’t consider psychology when thinking about interior design; and while some may connect the ancient practice of Feng Shui with design they may not necessarily think that psychology is involved.
Yet they are all interlinked and woven together. They overlap and support one another.
While environmental psychology, biophilic design and the studies of how our spaces affect our wellbeing has gain more recognition in recent years, ancient practices such as Indian Vastu Shastra and the Chinese Feng Shui have been around for thousands of years and are at the very core of teachings around how important our spaces are to our lives, health and happiness.
How we design our homes — the layouts, the items, the colours and the artifacts we place in them — affect us whether we realize it on a conscious level or not. Studies shows that design of a space can evoke positive or negative responses and emotions in people.
Every element and item in your home can have a significant impact on one’s mood. Colour is one of the easiest for everyone to understand. We even say things like “I feel blue” or “They are green with envy.”
Color psychology shows the diverse ways colour affects us. Vibrant shades like yellow, orange, and green encourage socializing and communicating, while dark, deep colours such as purple, deep blue, red, and deep green may reflect a bit gloomy, dark feel. Although, when used in appropriate places and in the right amounts, these “gloomy” colours can actually evoke a sense of comfort.
Warmer shades of yellow and orange inspire and a boost of creativity, while still feeling relaxed and calm. On the other side of the spectrum, we have cool blue and green, which evoke a sense of calm. Red can be tricky to work with in our homes, because they can raise our energy and passion in smaller amounts, but can be harsh and increase anxiety if used in substantial amounts in a space.
Lighting is another common area of study. The amount and type of lighting has an enormous effect on us. Natural sunlight is generally the most desirable, so it’s not surprising that having lots of large windows and access to natural light is a highly sot after feature in home design. It allows that connection to the outside world, wakes us up, stimulates us and makes us feel happy. It’s an energy activator — moving energy around and enlivening the space.
The size and space of a room can also affect our mood. A study done by Inform Design looked at the impact ceiling heights had on our idea of confinement or freedom, and found the height of the ceiling impacted a person’s subconscious perception of space and the environment. It found that people are more creative and focused in a room with higher ceiling and their mood improved.
Another big factor in our mood in a space is having natural elements like plants. Plants especially can improve our moods, our concentration and even memory. Since we know natural elements reduce stress this isn’t a surprise that simply adding plants is beneficial, but it is something practices like Feng Shui have been saying for thousands of years.
Along with things like colour, spaciousness, lighting and natural elements, the textures, shapes, and layout of the furniture in the house can also produce certain emotional responses. In the practice of
Feng Shui, the shapes and textures should represent the natural elements, which are Earth, Water, Wood, Metal, and Fire.
Having lush textures enhance the sense of comfort and happiness, while the metal elements (such as wall clock, statues, etc.) will promote strength, clarity, and focus. Wooden elements are linked to health and personal growth. Furniture should be arranged in a way that support the room and the people using it, creating a flow and ease in the room. This flow of elements in a room allows the energy to flow slowing and balanced.
Whether you resonate with the psychology side of interior design or the ancient wisdom of Feng Shui when looking at your home and your space, I hope you look at them with new eyes and see how they impact you.
Use that awareness to design better spaces for you and your family. The idea that Home is a happy place is widely accepted, but it’s not that home on its own is promoting happiness but that can be shaped and designed to support and enhance your life not just in happiness but in all areas of life.
