Interior lighting and your mental health

Interior lighting and your mental health. Lighting can have a huge impact on the mood of a room, changes can be so effective yet so subtle we barely notice.

You can tailor lighting to suit different environments such as; creating a produtive space, provide a relaxation zone, or setting a romantic scene.

I personally love bright, light rooms as it makes me feel happy just like the sunshine does. Many people find white rooms dull and clinical however to me they feel clean, elegant and simple. I can then add a touch of colour and personality in through decorative pieces. The walls in my bedroom are white and I find it has a calm and content vibe. When my mental health is bad or if I have a headache, I can go into my room and relax without the busyness of too much colour and harsh lights. To give a nice warmth to the room I love to use fairy lights. This creates a cosy environment without being overpowering.

Creating a productive environment

Using light to direct your focus can significantly improve your productivity. Simple neutral lighting is needed to prevent distraction. Too many bright lights can distrupt your work and hurt your eyes if there is a glare on your computer screen. Desk lamps in a study space can support your attention.

Natural light

Bright rooms can really lift your mood. Increasing natural light into a room can also help make it feel bigger, airy and spacious. Conservatories or even new windows can make a dramatic difference to the lighting of a room. In need of some inspiration click here. I love having a conservatory. I love just being able to relax, watch the sunrise, sunsets, birds in the garden and stars in the sky. It is a very family orientated room and we spend most of our time together in there.

Interior lighting and your mental health

There has been more and more research surrounding SAD – (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and the ways in which to cope with it being, introducing artificial light into the home to mimic daylight. Many people suffer with SAD during the winter months as it tends to be darker more often, leading to a depressed mood. Creating artificial light in homes is thought to increase peoples moods due to sunlight having an affect on the serotonin “happy” hormone levels in the body. Placing lamps in rooms where you spend the most time in winter could really enhance your mental health.

Romantic lighting

Changing the lighting if you are having a romantic evening can really make a difference for the atmosphere. Low lighting is a classic when it comes to romance however avoid red bulbs or too many flashy lights. Light the room with a few flickering candles for a subtle affect but don’t choose an over powerful fragrance as light can be just as off putting as crazy lights.

Ultimately lighting plays an important role in our homes, whether thats creating a scene or influencing our moods. This being said it can really pay off to take some time to think about interior lighting for your home.