Interior Design Décor & Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

Benefits of Mindfulness

• Reduces stress & anxiety
• Better quality of life
• Switches off negative self-talk
• Increases compassion
• Lowers blood pressure
• Enhances compassion
• Boosts our immune system
• Improves sleep quality

“Arrange your environment to help, rather than hinder you,” - John Norcross, Clinical Psychologist at the University of Scranton

• In a Ministry of Calm survey, 99% of respondents said that changing your space can affect how you feel.
• Interior design affects your subconscious, mood and perceptions.
• Using the principles of mindfulness can help to create a calming home environment that takes away the day’s stresses.

• When decorating, consider your house as a whole. This will help create a sense of balance and mindfulness that flows from room to room. 

• Keep visual clutter to a minimum by furnishing with multi-functional pieces that will allow you to store away items when they’re not in use. We recommend interiors accessories like a stylish ottoman that also includes handy storage while looking very pretty! We also have a handy guide about how to declutter your home.
• Try to stick to a decluttered, minimal design. Only fill your home with furnishings and décor that are useful and/or “spark joy”. Choose accessories like wall art carefully to make sure it’s not chaotic.
• Establish a serene space, such as a reading nook, in which you can relax and meditate. A reading nook doesn’t have to be a large space; it can literally be a corner under the stairs, an unused alcove in the hallway or a window ledge that you can tailor to your needs. Check out our recent post on how to create a reading nook in your home.
• Try to design spaces that engage all five senses – sight, smell, touch, taste and sound.

• Use neutral and soft hues that calm the mind, open up the space and create a sense of airiness. Cushions and throws can be a great way to add some freshness to a room by injecting colour and texture.
• Incorporate plants and other natural elements that foster a connection to the natural world. Furniture with related hues can be quite soothing in the home. We simply adore the Scott velvet sofa: its green colour screams natural woodland and its velvet texture is wonderfully luxurious to touch.
• Pay attention to your lighting design. Maximise natural light and complement with soft lighting. Avoid harsh artificial lighting if possible.
• Refer to the principles of Feng Shui to learn how to place your furniture in a way that encourages a better energy flow between rooms.
• Engage your sense of smell with natural, relaxing fragrances from fresh flowers or essential oils.

“There is no one thing that we can point to and say that it represents the ‘typical mindful building’ or is the ‘mindful style of architecture’ – at least not yet. The point here is to emphasise the importance of stopping to look; to be mindful when we look at, choose or design a building to live in. What is the effect a building has on us aesthetically and emotionally? What does it communicate to us and the world? What do we want to communicate? How does it sit within itself and its surroundings? If we don’t pay attention, we may not know, and our choices won’t be informed or conscious ones.” – The Mindful Home, Dr Craig Hassed & Deirdre Hassed