The physiological effects that interiors can have on your mood
Winter is fast on its way, and what better way to combat the winter blues than by equipping your home with the latest in mood boosting interior selections? The right automated lighting, precision window shading, and wallpaper styles can boost your serotonin levels and have a lasting impact on your overall mental health.
Smart Home Lighting and being colour smart
Are you aware that equipping your home with automatic smart home lighting is a great way to make your home more efficient? Did you know that our Lutron Ketra lights are available in 16 million colours, accurately simulating daylight? This extensive range of colours has the power to create a calming or stimulating atmosphere that caters to your mood and matches the natural circadian rhythm your body needs!
Red Light
The theory suggests that human eyes are less sensitive to longer wavelengths of light, such as red, compared to shorter wavelengths like blue, which are more stimulating. Consequently, red lighting is believed to have a more calming effect. The colour-sensitive receptors for red light release melanopsin, which can decrease pain and anxiety, thereby lifting mood.
Yellow and Orange Light
Warm-colored lighting is designed to evoke the warmth and ambience of natural sunshine. The warmth of these hues can enhance the saturation of surrounding colours, resulting in a more vibrant and inviting space.
Blue and White Lighting
Blue and white light have been shown to heighten alertness and suppress melatonin levels in the brain, potentially leading to disruptions in sleep patterns. Utilizing these lighting tones during early mornings may be more suitable to minimize the impact on sleep patterns.
Green Lighting
The green light has the potential to reset the circadian rhythm by influencing melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycles. Through a specialized photoreceptor system in the human eye, green light triggers nonvisual responses, transmitting signals to the brain. This process helps reset the body's internal clock and modulate melatonin production levels.
Sheers and Translucent blinds for Light Diffusion
As the darkness of winter sets in, the choice of window treatments becomes instrumental in combating the seasonal blues. Transparent and translucent blinds play a significant role in mood-boosting during these darker months. By allowing a gentle diffusion of natural light into the living space, these blinds create an atmosphere that mimics the soft glow of sunlight, even on overcast days. The translucency of these blinds prevents the room from feeling overly closed off, maintaining a connection with the outside world. This interplay of light and visibility contributes to a brighter and more uplifting ambience indoors. In contrast to heavy drapes or opaque blinds that can make a room feel enclosed, transparent and translucent blinds strike a harmonious balance between privacy and openness. This design choice not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the space but also ensures that, even in the winter gloom, the home remains a welcoming and mood-boosting haven filled with the soothing effects of natural light.
Sheer Blinds:
Sheer blinds perfectly align with the concept of allowing a gentle diffusion of natural light. Their translucent fabric provides privacy while maintaining a connection with the outside world, creating a bright and airy ambience.
Roman Shades:
Roman shades, especially in lighter fabrics, can offer a similar effect to sheer blinds. They can be raised to allow ample natural light during the day and lowered in the evening for enhanced privacy without completely blocking out light.
Cellular Shades
Cellular or honeycomb shades are designed with a unique cellular structure that traps air, providing insulation. They come in various opacities, allowing you to choose a more translucent option for light diffusion while still maintaining energy efficiency.
Wallpaper Colours and patterns that do wonders for your mood
Wallpaper patterns and colours can offer a powerful influence on mood, especially during the winter months, when external conditions may lean towards darkness and gloom. Opting for vibrant and warm colour schemes in wallpaper, such as soft neutrals, warm oranges, or soothing earth tones, can infuse a room with a sense of coziness and comfort. These colours mimic the warmth of sunlight, creating a visual sanctuary that counteracts the colder, darker days. Additionally, patterns such as nature-inspired designs, gentle florals, or even abstract motifs can evoke a connection to the outdoors, providing a refreshing contrast to the winter landscape. You may want to stay away from bold and heavy jewel tone patterns because, although luxurious, these patterns can darken a room and make heavy weather of your surroundings.
The psychological impact of colours is well-documented, with warmer hues often linked to feelings of happiness and contentment. By incorporating such elements into wallpaper choices, one can transform living spaces into positive, comforting environments throughout the winter.
