With searches for ‘winter depression’ and ‘seasonal depression symptoms’ increasing by over +50% in the last 12 months, the colder, darker months can impact mental health.

So, it’s important, especially at this time of year, to make sure your home is a cosy, safe, and comfortable sanctuary to escape to when the winter blues start setting in. To help combat low moods, the interior design experts at My Bespoke Room reveal the different home elements that can help maximise positive vibes.

Layout

If there is furniture blocking the flow of movement in your home, this can create inconvenience, frustration, and anxiety.

It doesn’t need to be in-depth Feng Shui, but easier-to-navigate spaces can reduce anxiety and help build a stronger relationship with the space in your home, making you feel more at ease. Having a clear, tidy space will also help you to feel less overwhelmed. There will always be some home life clutter but minimising the amount is a great place to start.

Lighting

Dark mornings and evenings can significantly impact mental health, and many suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the winter due to the lack of light.

If working from home, try to position your desk close to a window with views of the outdoors or swap to LED bulbs as they produce light closer to natural sunlight and can come in dimmable options to help you find the best light level for the time of day. By allowing more natural light in during daylight hours and using different forms of lighting in your home, you can help to lessen the symptoms of SAD.

Colour palette

Colours like orange, yellow and gold give that warm sunshine-like feeling to a room, whereas choosing colours like greens and blues in the home reflects the connection with nature and can create feelings of serenity and calm.

Each colour has different psychological connotations and can affect space when used as a dominant colour scheme. Here is a more in-depth commentary on how specific colour palettes can affect mood.

Nature  

Houseplants have massive mental health benefits, and it has been proven that they elevate your mood and productivity thanks to the increase in oxygen levels that they bring – they also look fantastic in a room, with or without flowers.

Flowers have their superpower as they have a stabilising and calming effect on people, making them feel happier.

Lucy Henderson, head of design at My Bespoke Room, says: “Personal keepsakes, photographs and mementoes, will always bring you joy, so make sure to include them in your home décor and put them in pride of place. Incorporating items that reflect your life is a great way for your interior design to immediately positively affect your mood and mental health. After all, it is your home and should always tell your story.”

To find out more interior designs about My Bespoke Room and its services. If you or anyone you know are suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), click here for more info on treatment and advice or seek help from your GP.