The Essential Link Between Interior Design and Wellbeing

Our homes are meant to be a place of calm and sanctuary that put us at ease so we can flourish. That is how I feel every home should work for its occupants.

Since the pandemic we have all spent more time at home than ever before. Many people now work from home at least part of the week. Our homes have had to change their roles to become a more multifunctional place since the recent advancements in technology so we are able to work remotely.

Spending time at home has also changed from being a purely relaxing time to it being multifaceted - maybe you're on an important call and you have your young family at home, maybe you have a garden office and receive clients or colleagues into your home.

With these changes we have had to make alterations to our homes too to make them work smarter for us. We all know the panic of suddenly realising someone is coming over and the house is a mess, the dread of knowing a work colleague might see an unfinished DIY project, blurring the background on an online call to try to disguise the clutter behind us. These factors all build to make us feel embarrassed, stressed or even depressed with our homes. The effect they have on us is huge and shouldn't be underestimated. "54% of UK homeowners say clutter negatively affects their mood." [Source: YouGov]

Its clear our homes and environments have a direct effect on our moods, clarity and mental clarity - important factors to maintain a happy and healthy life. So how do we create a calming home?

This is why I'm sharing these tips because I feel so strongly that our homes should serve us as a place of sanctuary and feel as good to us as they look. It might surprise you to learn that even some small design tweaks can have a measurable effect on our wellbeing. "93% of people say having a tidy, well-designed space helps them feel calmer and more in control." [Source: National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals] 

It’s something I’ll be exploring further at an upcoming free event focused on home and garden wellbeing—more on that later!

The Science of Space and Wellbeing

It has been proven by numerous scientific studies that our environment affects our nervous system regulation. Walking into a messy, dark or dirty space can make us feel stressed, unhappy and a unsettled. Over a prolonged period this can leave us feeling depressed and anxious. "People who describe their homes as cluttered have higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) throughout the day." [Source: UCLA Center on Everyday Lives of Families] this can then have a negative effect on the rest of our lives. A person with high levels of cortisol may not preform as well at work, might not be able to regulate themselves as well with their relationships etc.

"Natural light has been shown to boost mood, reduce stress, and increase productivity by up to 40%" [Source: Harvard Business Review, Future Workplace Survey] having easy access to natural light is crucial in any space and "Poor lighting in homes is linked to increased symptoms of depression and disrupted sleep patterns." [Source: Journal of Environmental Psychology] and we all know whats it like when we dont get the sleep we need. 

Having a place we can come home to, after a busy and possibly stressful day at work, which has been well designed, that suits your lifestyle and meets your needs can be a game changer. 

Imagine arriving home to a space which isn't working for you anymore. You have to negotiate clutter in the hallway, find somewhere for your coat and bag, see a pile of clutter which hasn't got a home, you can't all fit into the kitchen so it's a scramble and youre all getting annoyed with each other. You just aren't going to feel calm and relaxed in this situation. 

Now picture yourself coming home and it feels calm, clean and comforting; you are able to gather yourself, make a drink, relax, chat about your day, make plans for the evening ahead or the weekend. The space has been well designed, your lifestyle has been considered, and it works.

Design Elements That Support Wellbeing

Light

As I mentioned, natural daylight is by far the best way to instantly making a space feel better. You know the transformative magical feeling of just opening the curtains in a dark and stuffy room, opening the window and getting fresh air in. 

Adding lighting layers is also really important for creating a cosy and comfortable space which reduces stress and increases relaxation. Think about adding lamps, dimmable lights and avoiding fluorescent and strong big central lights. Use warm white bulbs to create a soft ambiance rather than harsh cold lighting.

Colour

Colour, pattern and texture are all elements which can effect how we feel in our homes and environment. 

Certain colours make us feel energised, whilst others soothe and calm us. Think about the ‘green room’ they have backstage at concerts, tv shows etc, this is a place to relax the entertainers, green (the colour of nature btw) is a colour which creates a sense of calmness and relaxation and adheres to the idea of Interior Design for Wellbeing.

Orange is typically an energising colour so using it in a space where you want to be calm, such as a bedroom, might be counterproductive. Knowing a little bit about colour psychology can make a huge difference to how you use colour in your home. "Warm tones like peach, beige, and light terracotta can promote feelings of cosiness and calm, while blue-greens are linked with reduced anxiety and mental clarity." [Source: University of Westminster study on colour and wellbeing]

Again pattern and texture play a role in your wellbeing - having soft textures can increase cosiness, adding layers makes spaces feel more elevated and therefore a nicer place to be. It's important to know your own style as some patterns might be too ‘busy’ for some people. I have a ‘know your interior design style quiz’ which can help you understand your preferred style.

I am a big fan of colour and its probably one of the main reasons clients choose to work with me; I love how colour and pattern can transform a space. I love encouraging people to dive into it and not to be frightened of it. As well as running ‘Colour and pattern Workshops’ I offer colour consultations where I work with you to create a colour scheme which you can use to create the space you imagined and one that works for you. 

Layout and Flow

Having a suitable and functional layout is the first step when I design a space. If the layout isnt right the rest of the room isnt going to work. Its so annoying to have furniture that is too big or sticks out so you stub your toe on it or having to squeeze past something. It can really make you have negative feelings about the space - which we dont want. 

Ideally you would leave about 60-90cm between furniture for ease of movement - this isnt always possible but I usually try to allow that. Spatial planning is crucial for a successful home and one of the parts of design I really enjoy. If you are designing your own space this part shouldnt be ignored - nor should you just stick to the current layout, there can often be great alternatives.

Decluttering and Storage

Clutter is created by either having too many belongings or by not having adequate storage. I suspect with most of us it's a bit of both. "54% of UK homeowners say clutter negatively affects their mood". [Source: YouGov] We can all benefit from having a declutter and really editing down on the items that are useful or make us happy. Sometimes we don't even realise why we have kept hold of something; we just have. Now is the time to clear it and make space to enjoy the things you love. 

Adequate storage is also key. We need to have easy to access storage that works with your home. I am a big fan of bespoke joinery - it can be expensive but is by far the most effective use of the space. That space above a wardrobe or cupboard is lost space - with bespoke joinery we use that space and create a better organised and more beautiful and  peaceful home. 

Connection to nature

Having a connection to nature can really boost your wellbeing. I use a biophilic design theory which means I try to make that connection with nature as strong as possible in my designs. "Biophilic design (incorporating natural materials and elements) can increase a sense of wellbeing by 15–20%." [Source: Terrapin Bright Green – “The Economics of Biophilia”]

That could either be by adding plants into my schemes (always) or by using natural materials in my rooms. Adding something like a wooden table, or stone platter can be a lovely touch which helps to connect us back to nature, they are tactile and appeal to our senses. 

Also thinking about it in a deeper way you could change the layout to optimise your views of the garden or bring in more natural daylight so you feel you have that link with the outdoors as much as possible. Obviously having a great indoor-outdoor flow is a real asset to any space and working with a garden designer can really benefit the space and your overall experience of it.

Personal touches

Adding your own personal touches are the key to making the space feel like home and a comforting space to be. You can exhibit your beloved keepsakes so that they can be admired by you daily giving you joy every time you see them. Appealing to the senses is important too which is why lighting, textures and fragrances are important as well as the ability to have music, using all of these elements can really create a unique blend which embodies your own personal space. 

Common Mistakes That Disrupt Wellbeing

• Harsh lighting - Personally I never switch on ‘the big light’; it makes me feel uncomfortable and casts shadows which make the room feel gloomy. Softer wall lighting and lamps is a much kinder way to light your home.

• Over-cluttered walls - consider what and how you display art on your walls. You dont have to have a gallery wall, maybe a trio of prints is enough? Maybe just one amazingly lit artwork is enough?

• Disconnected colour schemes - thinking of the home as a whole is really important for making the space feel connected and cohesive. The home needs to feel comfortable and disjointed colour schemes create a sense of chaos.

• Ignoring acoustics (echoes or noise) - Think about all of the senses when designing your home, if a space is echoey that can make it feel uncomfortable to be in and maybe you wont want to make noise. Consider how that can be remedied. 

How I Help Clients Design for Wellbeing

When I work with clients, I take the time to truly understand how they want to feel in their home—not just how they want it to look. For me, good design is about creating spaces that feel calm, warm, and alive. I believe our homes should support us emotionally as much as they do practically.

That means considering light, layout, colour, texture, and personal touches in a way that nurtures your wellbeing. Whether it's rethinking a layout to improve flow and connection, choosing colours that lift your mood, or layering in meaningful objects that tell your story—it's about creating a space that feels like you, at your very best.

One of my recent clients described the transformation of their living room as “Thanks so much for all your help. I've moved the furniture around using your plan and everyone likes it and the room just works and is a comfortable and relaxing place to be in the evening".—which sums up exactly what a well-designed space can do for your mind and body.

If you’re curious about how to start bringing this kind of change into your home, I offer a range of services which can be explored in more detail here.

Join Us: Wellbeing by Design – Focus on Home and Garden

If you’re curious about how to bring more balance, comfort, and wellbeing into your home, I’d love to invite you to a free evening event I’m co-hosting with Angela from AMD Garden Design.

‘Wellbeing by Design – Focus on Home and Garden’ is a relaxed and inspiring talk where we’ll be sharing practical ways to create a home and garden that support your wellbeing—both inside and out. It’s taking place on:

🗓 Wednesday 9th July

🕖 7–9 PM

📍 Zion Church, BS36 2HY

This event is perfect for you if:

• You want to make your home feel calmer, more uplifting or more “you” but aren’t sure where to begin

• You’re curious about how design choices affect your mood, energy, and overall wellbeing

• You’d love some real-life, achievable tips for improving your living space—without starting from scratch

  
  

We’ll be sharing real project examples, expert insights, and simple things you can do right now to improve how your home makes you feel. There’ll also be time for questions and a chance to chat to us both in person.

It’s completely free to attend, but we’d love you to register via Eventbrite so we know how many people to expect:👉 Register here!

Understanding the idea that your home should be a place that works for you and supports you rather than causes you stress and overwhelm is crucial to having wellbeing at home.

If the problem is the design then we are absolutely able to fix it at Bailey&Co Interior Design and create a feel-good home design that will help you to flourish. 

Let me know which of these tips or design elements you are going to try in your own home and share with a friend who might benefit from learning about Wellbeing at home.  

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