Most people know their space affects their mental health.. for some of us, maybe more than others. I’m one of those people that can’t get my day started until everything is in it’s place, or I’ll be distracted by the chaos around me. My husband on the other hand… is a different story.
BUT one thing most people do have in common are emotional attachments to certain things. Your hobbies, passions, memories – they attach you emotionally to material items.
For example, if you’re an avid book worm…a library is going to evoke more positive energy to you than someone who isn’t. Or, if you’re an artist…art is going to make you happy. If you’re a bike-rider, your bike will bring you joy. If you’re a tech-junkie your computer may bring you joy. So on and so forth…
SO, when it comes to creating a home that truly represents YOU, and brings you joy when you walk in, my starting place is always within.
In today’s world, the Interior Design industry (and really every industry..) is ruled by Pinterest, social media, HGTV. We’re surrounded by expectations of what our home should look like. As a designer, we have the challenge of designing a home that’s *even better* than what you’ve already seen. Using materials, and furnishings in a way that’s never been done before.
Sure, this mentality forces us as creatives to think outside of the box, and create something truly eye-catching, and beautiful. But, it can also create unattainable expectations of how our homes should look.
My approach to Interior Design is a bit different. Yes, I want to see what you gravitate towards on Pinterest… but, and perhaps more importantly, I want to see what you already own. I want to hear what makes you happy – what triggers positive energy, memories, or thoughts.
I want to get to know YOU. From my experience, if your home is designed around You, and not something you pinned on Pinterest, a) it will more than likely cost less to execute, because you likely already own the things that are most important to you. And b) it will genuinely bring you joy, and positively impact your mental health.
Most people are surprised when I tell them I don’t often decorate my home with plants. Although, I LOVE the look of them, I can’t keep them alive for the life of me. I have a small cactus dying right now in the corner of my room as I type this. A cactus. It barely needs any maintenance, and alas it’s drooping like it’s reaching for the desert.
So, if you ever see any plants in my home they’re most likely fake.
I bring this up, because creating a home to improve your mental health doesn’t and shouldn’t have any expectations.
If decorating your house with plants makes you anxious thinking about the time it’ll take to keep them alive.. don’t have them.
If having a wall of books only reminds you of the amount of books you’ve over-committed to reading.. don’t display them.
If vases, and knick-knacks, and the now-popular table lamp in the Kitchen trends are impossible to keep up with and only give you more things to dust on your weekly rounds on Sunday… then don’t have them.
You may have come here thinking I’d have a black & white strategy to making your home make you happier.
“Add some plants” “Put some books on a shelf” “Paint your walls white”
But, the truth is.. those things MAY help. But, they also may not. Your home is and should be a reflection of YOU in all your unique glory. I intentionally chose imagery for this post all across the board.. Some images you may resonate with, and some you may not.
SO this is your permission to Not stay on top of the trends. The most timeless design will always be the one that makes you happy. <3
