Reference sites are:
https://www.foresthomesstore.com/blogs/decor-for-wellbeing/how-interior-design-affects-mental-health
Topics Covered are:
Interior Design Psychology
Vastu Shastra
Feng Shui
Interior Design Psychology
Interior design of a house or workspace has a great impact on our mental health and ability to work. Some houses when entering give a warm and welcoming vibe whereas, a cold vibe will make one leave the place as soon as possible as it makes them feel uncomfortable.
Major factors that affect our mental health are:
Function
One may not experience this at first but it is an important factor when one starts to work around that space. Functionality is nothing but easier access that a space must provide to people working in it.
Spaciousness
One feels better in spacious spaces than cluttered ones. It has been proven that people get creative in rooms with high ceilings. It is not necessary to have a high ceiling but one can always opt for a spacious environment. Have only things that are essential to make it spacious.
Balance and Consistency
A house should have uniformity to it. A particular room must not be an odd one out. This makes the space look like one house and not the couple of rooms combined together. This is known as cohesiveness.
Balance in Interior design plays a vital role. The elements inside the space should be of the equal importance, at both sides of the room.
Sunlight
It has been proven that sunlight provides energy and helps to reduce depression. People living in a room with more light appear happy than people living in dark ones. Hence there should be ample sunlight inside a room or a workspace.
Colour
Colour plays a vital role in interior design. Different colours have a different impact on the human mind. Colours with lighter tones make the place feel warm and happy, while the usage of darker tones make the place feel cold and dark.
Shapes
It has been seen that too many shapes with jagged edges and sharp points can cause anxiety to the human mind. Whereas the round table makes the mind feel relaxed.
Natural Elements
Bringing natural elements inside the living space helps to reduce the stress level. For example house plants or flowers can be used for this purpose. The nature themed elements can make one feel relaxed and calm. Usage of wooden flooring can also help.
Vastu Shastra
Vastu Sastra has played an important role in Indian Architecture as well as Interior Design. One can use these principles if they are interested.
Image Courtesy: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/833588212251948519/
According to Vastu Shastra house and rooms inside the house should be square or rectangular having 90 degree angle on all four sides.
Living Room
It should be either in the north-west or north direction. As the east side provides direct sunlight into the room, this part of the room is where all the family gets together and spends time. The main door should be either facing east, north or north east direction.
Bedroom
Master Bedroom should be in the south-west direction. One must not keep a mirror facing the bed. Unpleasant or pictures that may cause distress should not be placed in the bedroom.
Kitchen
Kitchen should be in the South-East direction. Gas stove or fireplace should be kept away from the water sink for obvious reasons. Bathrooms and toilets must not share the walls with the kitchen (as bathroom and toilet is considered un-auspicious). Reason behind this might be such that bacteria from the bathroom or toilet should not come in contact with food.
Toilet and Bathroom
Toilet and Bathroom should be in the north-west direction. The toilet should be constructed one or two feet above the ground level. It should be away from the main entrance as well as the kitchen.
Other room
Other room/s can be in the west or south direction.
The center of the house is known as Brahmasthan and is considered to be the sacred and powerful zone of Vastu. It is said that this area must be kept clean and one should not construct or keep anything in this part of the house.
It is strictly believed that one must not keep broken items or damaged idols of deities in the house as it is considered as un-auspicious.
Feng shui
Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of decorating your home. Feng shui literally means wind and water. Feng shui is about positioning different elements to optimize “Chi,” or energy. Feng shui is based on five natural elements namely:
Wood : Growth and creativity
Earth : Stability and balance
Metal : Logic and intelligence
Water : Wisdom and serenity
Fire : Passion and energy
Bagua map is the most common tool that is used in Feng shui home design. It consists of 9 quadrants and each quadrant consists of one element and colour associated with each one. This helps in decorating the home efficiently.
Image Courtesy: https://www.invaluable.com/blog/what-is-feng-shui/
Wealth: Wood
Consist: Valuable items, Artwork of people or places, live plants
Avoid: Trash can, Bills, Bathrooms and toilet
Fame: Fire
Consist: Tall items, Awards, Red items
Avoid: Heavy object Black or dark colour, water items
Love: Earth
Consist: Candles, photos with partner, paired objects
Avoid: Sharp objects, broken objects, family photos
Family: Wood
Consist: Family heirlooms, floral prints Lights
Avoid: Metal items, single items
Health: Earth
Consist: Square items, earthenware, yellow and gold items
Avoid: Wooden items, greens, clutters
Children: Metal
Consists: Games or toys , circular items, Earth items
Avoid: Fire items, sharp objects, items blocking walkways
Wisdom: Earth
Consist: Books ,pictures of mountains, items for meditation
Avoid: alcohol, distractions lime moving objects
Career: Water
Consist: Mirror, crystals, black and dark colours
Avoid: Earth items, piles of paper, bright colours
Helpful people: Metal
Consist: Round objects, tools for sorting, blacks and whites
Avoid: Items representing compromise, storage, clutter