Imagine that you’re sitting in your garden with your favorite book in hand, sipping your freshly brewed coffee. Do you notice the shades of color that surround you? Or perhaps, the smell of coffee beans amidst the earthy floral garden scent. Imagine immersing yourself in this relaxing setting repeatedly till you’ve finished reading your book. Do you reckon that this momentary feeling-good sensation would have an effect on your long-term health?
‘Zor’ vase by Roudha Alshamsi
Researchers have found a wealth of evidence, which suggests that positive emotions can enhance our immune systems. What we surround ourselves with surely affects our physical and mental wellbeing, and this rings true now more than ever, as we spend most of our time at home amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. This is where the role of interior design comes in, as we’re more likely to feel happier, and more confident and productive when we live and work in a space that reflects a sense of emotional balance.
Warm colors have a productive effect and can also trigger your appetite, so they’re great to incorporate into the dining area of your home
But how do we achieve aesthetic equilibrium? Here, I’ll talk about key design elements that primarily approach the senses and can help you achieve a sense of calm, especially during these challenging times.
An interior detail of Roudha Alshamsi’s ‘The Mesh’ installation at Dubai Design Week 2018
Color psychology is closely associated with mental health. This is why designers employ its principles to trigger certain emotions when creating a space. In hospital design, for example, cool colors, such as blue, are often used for their calming and healing effect. Warm colors have a productive effect and can also trigger your appetite, so they’re great to incorporate into the dining area of your home. A useful way of adding and subtracting color tones is through accessories, as they make the space more dynamic and help achieve the same sense of balance that we get from the outdoors.
Your home office can be decorated with succulents, for instance, as they require less care
‘Forma’ stool by Roudha Alshami
It’s amazing how greenery can elevate a space and your mood. Get creative with your floral arrangements; in the living room, you can opt for an elaborate bouquet with a scent diffuser to bring the outside in. Your home office can be decorated with succulents, for instance, as they require less care. Also, allow natural light to seep in and brighten up your space. As the world continues to take drastic measures to fight the ongoing pandemic through social distancing, turning to interior design can help you better cope with these unprecedented times. Your homes can become the place where you retrieve your energy. By adopting a few design principles, you can recreate your space and reclaim your wellbeing. Get started.
Roudha Alshamsi is an Emirati interior designer, who launched her eponymous interior design studio in 2017. With a focus on interior product design, her creations reflect her identity as an artist. She has been working closely with clients on residential and commercial projects, including private villas, studio spaces, offices and libraries. In recent years, she has been exploring furniture design with an artistic approach, producing what she calls ‘Art Furniture’. Visit Roudha.design and follow Roudha @Roudhaalshamsi on Instagram.
Roudha’s illustration by Alicia Goveas
