9 DECORATING MISTAKES THAT COULD MAKE YOU DEPRESSED OR ANXIOUS
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- Опубликовано: 16 май 2024
- Hey hello! Maybe it’s a sign of these strange times, but I’ve had many requests for tips on how to alleviate anxiety and depression in the home, and questions about whether it’s possible to improve your mood by doing certain things in your house.
The answer is YES, there are so many things you can do to feel better in your home!! They are all very easy, so don’t worry, you won’t feel overwhelmed.
Make sure you’re not making any of these mistakes in your decor and interior design so that you can feel your absolute best in your home.
I recommend this book: amzn.to/3nwCEDA
It’s a gem for all things relating to environmental psychology - a topic I am super interested in - and it’s very easy to understand. I got a lot of value out of it and periodically go back and read it.
There were so many other things that I would have loved to touch on, like using scents and music, but that will have to be a video for another day!
Thanks as always for watching and please remember to leave any of your own decorating tips that you may have that helped you when feeling anxious or depressed.
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Closed storage is my secret. As much of it as possible in every room. Open storage stresses me out because I can see everything and I feel the need to style it.
@NaylaK Same with me.
Out of sight out of mind. But I know all too well what clutter in in each and every box or cupboard, unless that is, I am trying to find it when I finally found it a new home.
Open/slatted bookshelves are a major no no for me. I only have one in my living room so I can keep it lightly stocked. Otherwise you need solid sides and/or backs for books to not slouch or fall through. I see too many people try to use them in offices and they look horribly messy and cluttered.
@@amandao.8043 Karen
I feel the same way way that's why I like barrister bookcases cases with glass doors, Keeps the dust out. Even a china cabinet for pretty things I rotate in and out. That way the rest of the house isnt cluttered.
Excellent point! Visual clutter throws the mind into chaos. I cannot stand it. It is an issue everyday in my home between my hoarder husband and myself. Sometimes I just flip out and rampage through the house with garbage bags and just gather up everything for the trash and donations. I only feel better after a good clear out.
I got one brillant advise when I was depressed: keep one area of your home clean and clutter-free and try to spend your time there. Like a safe space. I go back to this advise whenever the life becomes too much.
Great advice for people with kids too! Since it's impossible to keep things clutter-free with tiny barbarians running around.
@@michellechouinard4958 hahaha right?!
Good idea. Take it one at a time.
That’s great advice! Thanks for sharing.
My designer told me to pick my wall colour out of my rug. The rug had olive green in it, but all the olives I found were so dreary. I was very depressed, and I was painting during a very rainy November. So I picked a spring green and I love it. When my designer saw it, she said it was WRONG and showed me all the neutrals I should have picked instead. I told her that if I had spent a week painting the room any of those colours, I would have been suicidal. I get why it's wrong, but I actually think it works in the space and I've always loved it. Five years later, it still makes me smile
No designer here, but a particularly dark winter was responsible for my bright yellow office, marigold kitchen, and spring-peeper green bathroom. My daughter painted her room a virulent orange, softened by a buttercream color on two walls. Neutrals make us feel like running away.
If you have a strong positive reaction to a color, I say go for it. When you are ready to move on, neutrals can be helpful in selling, but while you're living there, it should be what makes you happy and comfortable.
I'd say - get rid of the designer and go with your gut lol ))
Use what makes you happy. I have a mint bathroom but all the accessories are chartreuse and it works I was going to paint the walls chartreuse when I went to the paint store but it looked so great with soft mint I left it
I think we’re all different individuals. I can’t stand colour lol. My home, clothes, car, even my phone case are all neutrals.
@@franceslock2058 that sounds gorgeous
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed that I’ll never “finish” and that time is running out (I’m 57.) . I had to tackle my mother’s two homes (lake house before she passed and an in-her-town house after; she was in assisted living, so I had that apartment as well). She was a collector, shopper, and pack rat-NOTHING could get tossed by her rules. It left me with enormous tasks, but I got her homes cleaned up and sold. Now, my home is a wreck from neglect (because I was away doing her work) and the overflow of her stuff that landed in my home. I got rid of tons to dumpsters, charity, and small sales, but there is still a lot. I get depressed and haven’t been able to decorate for or enjoy the holidays. Just now, per this advice, I cleaned a small bathroom and put out some Xmas touches. One small leap has made a difference. Thanks for the spot-on video and advice!
This sounds very familiar. It is really difficult to clean up after hoarders, especially if they're related! I actually found Mari Kondo's advice helpful (clean by catagory, not by location, like all your clothes at once, then all your books at once, then all your papers, etc. and only keep the things that "spark joy"); it made me a lot more discerning in what I keep and what I toss. After my own very messy and disorganized mother (who lost her home and threw away my personal sentimental items when I was younger), my father (who divorced his hoarder wife and I cleaned up his former disaster of a home while he recouperated), and my current not-quite-hoarder-but-compulsive-shopper-who-doesn't-mind-living-in-piles husband, I'm nowhere near done (are we ever?) but every once in a while I threaten a mental breakdown, clean/organize the heck out of an area that needed it, and enjoy it for a while, while somewhere else goes to clutter. A friend of mine sent an interesting TED talk by a lady who said clutter is morally neutral, and it let me put some things in perspective. But I need things organized or I don't know where they are, and I don't like clutter to get to dangerous amounts, and I don't like bad feng shui in general. It's harder for energy to flow through a cluttered space. When I tackle a cluttered space and it becomes beautifully functional, it seems to breathe a sigh of relief and have its own vibrancy. I like cheering up the home and let it know I'm paying attention to it. i wish i had a better sense of design; it really makes a difference.
@@beesknees947 I love your idea of decluttering as "cheering up the home"! Makes me smile and makes me feel like tackling some cluttered corners around here! thanks.
The minimalist mom here on RUclips has helped me a lot. I am too attched for the kondo method, but the minimalist mom has shown me how to release the guilt of keeping gifts or losing money on things that still have value and love for the season I'm in. As a non hoarder but collector and pack rat artist this has been helpful. Also swedish death cleaning, sounds scary but it basically just means do I keep this because when. I'm gone will my daughter want it? No then it goes when it's not serving me.
Good luck, hoarding effects the family 100% and I wish you all the best and happiness.
I hear you about your Mom's home, I am seeing that with my Mom's home. Like you my Mom doesn't want me to rearrange or get rid of any of her stuff. She tells me she might need it (she will never need it because a lot of times she has never used it). I will probably have the same as you with the cleaning of her home after she is gone (which is sad because I think it will help her out a lot & I have tried which usually ends up with her telling me to stop yelling at her. I am not, but when she comes to my husband & I's house she comments how nice our house looks & how she wishes hers could look that way. I have offered to help her, but she doesn't want to change her home & if we do change it, when I leave & go back a few days later she has changed it back to the way it was. So from that I tend to let it be because it is not worth the energy to do anything about it & like you it takes time from our home. So I take care of my home & I will deal with hers later, unless someone has any advice that could possibly help? She is 81 & very set in her ways so I just let her be happy with all of her stuff.
I just stumbled on this video and really enjoyed it. I’m a psychologist and you’d be surprised at how many patients talk to me about clutter. I really do think it’s difficult to feel at peace when you are overwhelmed by having too much stuff in your home to manage. I’d add coziness to the list of ways to improve well-being: soft fabrics, warm throws, candles or a fireplace, salt lamps… anything that makes you feel nurtured.
Plus clutter makes cleaning difficult and causes dust to accumulate. Dust contributes to allergy symptoms which contributes to misery. It’s easy to see how depression can manifest.
I'm 27 and I sleep with a night light....my salt lamp 😏
@@katiecassidy6098 Im 32 and I have a night light too. 😄 It makes me happy. My dogs also reduce my sleeping anxiety.
I am on a fixed income & live in a crappy apt. building...cannot afford to anything
@@maddscientist3170 Garage sales and thrift stores...I've scored great stuff at Good Will. Ask friends for starter plants. There are things you can do in your situation! Good luck!
1. curves
2. plants and images of plants
3. art and happy photos
4. *careful* use of mirrors
5. de-clutter
6. natural materials
7. natural light, and suitable temperature, amount and position of lights
8. color: not all white, not grey. Choose according to the effect it has on you.
9. place furniture to allow flow, and not crowd the room
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Thank you!🤍✨
I suffer from anxiety and depression. And tidying up, redecorating, cleaning my apartment helps me enormously. Thanks for your advices.
Same.
Ditto!
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SINGLE MOM !!! WATCH THIS RUclips CHANNEL AND BE MOTIVATED
Same here. I'm going through healing now and I have the need to change sth. In my apartment.
So true. I find purposefully focusing my attention on objects and slightly rearranging, cleaning or even letting them go, works as a meditation for me.
My Add-on Tip is Novelty. Novelty is energizing, so I have seasonal bins to swap out decor. Not just holiday decor, but coordinating room fabrics and accessories with favorite seasons as well. The changing space gives a sense of life progressing instead of being in a Time Capsule.
I find this so interesting to read. After my mom passed away when I was younger, our home became exactly that, a time capsule. I want to become someone who doesn’t allow time to pass without acknowledging it in that way.
Time to go put away my pumpkin light.
I do this also. It feels good!
I do this too. I love decorating and the seasonal changes outside are carried through inside. Also I always have fresh flowers every two or three weeks.
Ooh good idea! I will do that too from now on. Currently I only do Christmas decorations and maybe just a little something for autumn and/or easter which is barely noticeable. To coordinate with the fabrics is awesome. :)
As a housebound person, I absolutely love this advice!
I have suffered from depression and anxiety since childhood. What helps me design vice: 1. decluttering. 2. A clean space. 3. Sage green is a great color for me. 4. Natural wood in a warm honey color like mango wood, and I prefer my wood to look old and distressed, but polished. 5. Also woven baskets. 6. Green plants especially montestera and ferns. 7. Mat black or antique gold/brass hardware and faucets. Sheer white/cream or natural curtains. 8. Really soft fake fur or velvet pillows and throw blankets. Basically anything soft and furlike. 9.Antique brass and beautiful warm wood accessories. 10. Warm hue lighting and candles.
Hope this helps somebody. Love from Denmark
Love everything you described
Thank you so much. I especially agree about furry things and ferns. Ferns are so low maintenance🤗
This sounds exactly like me!!
Agree 100%
you almost exactly described my living room! wow!!!
It's so important for interior design to be kind and human rather than exclusive and trend based.
This designer is grounded and real-- at least on this video. It's the first time I've seen her. She's so much more reasonable and soothing to watch than other ID postings.
Thanks for making this kind video to encourage people in their own spaces.
If you like this designer,check Garrettt LeChic too.
to be fair professional designers like to thrift a lot and recycle unique pieces
YES, so many homes I have seen on YT, just young adults' homes for cooking or cleaning vids, and they ALL look so generic and boring. No character or warmth. Everyone has to have a huge center island in the kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Everyone has generic living room furniture -- ugh and the worst - when people go waste money on a bunch of furniture that MACTHES! Following trends is the dumbest. I hate when everything is all matchy matchy. The worst is bedroom sets. Gag.
@@valentinamelethiel353 to be fair, I am a professional interior designer. I am aware of thrifting. I am also LEED accredited since 2010. I am also aware that the greenest thing to do is to utilize what already exists.
@@Erika-gm2tf ok chill!
I added artificial flowers and plants to my space and it made a world of difference.
I also put tiny warm-white fairy lights on my bookshelf and it makes me happy to look at it.
But no tip can compare to having a pet, a cat or a dog. They are loving, highly intuitive and supportive. For me animals are a great source of joy and companionship and I really believe they can do wonders for people with depression anf anxiety.
I agree with the fairy lights and the fur babies 100%.❤
One important thing that's not mentioned is the HUGE importance of removing/ get rid off objects that will have a negative effect on you. Even if those objects will trigger bad memories or negative feelings are tucked away in a box, Your mind won't forget you still keep those things.
You mean it ok to get rid of the loved ones urn that so depressing to look at?
@@gracegwozdz8185 she literally wrote "objects", not "people"...
@@mashashushera5425 by the rules of DnD 5th Edition. A corpse is no longer a person but an object.
This! Also broken or mended things, or things that are not really useful but we make ourselves think that "we might neeed it".
@@gracegwozdz8185 Yes. Find a lovely green space and let those ashes nurture a tree. (I've put that in my will)
Not exactly a design choice, but something I find helpful for my anxiety is “setting myself up for success” via the placement of items. Having a hook for my keys & purse near the door, a basket for “outgoing” items, even having the coffee & filters on a tray next to the coffee machine give me one less thing to look for when I’m stressed out.
I also like to have multiples of things in convenient places, ie a small lighter next to each set of candles, a box of toothpicks & a lip balm both my lounging & sleeping areas. I often postpone things due to my anxiety, even getting up to grab something, so having needed items in a small box or basket close at hand makes a big difference to me.
Me too!
Same! It's a game changer to do this.
I do these same exact things, and my family makes makes fun of it but IT WORKS!
Actually, arranging your items for easy, accessible use is great, ergonomic design. Years ago the Splendid Table radio show interviewed an architect who specializes in designing the home kitchens of professional chefs. And what the chefs most wanted was to be able to easily grab whatever they needed to prepare a meal within arms reach. Their preferred kitchens were less about having a huge, impressive space, and more about functional design.
Same here :)
One thing that helped me immensely during this pandemic when we all had to be shut-in ,and I live in a cold state so I turn my house into a beach house. I lightened up everything , I used a lot of clear glass and made sure everything was see-through like the furniture ,coffee table, end tables, just to keep the light flowing through the house. Brought in a lot of greenery and natural Fabrics burlap rope jute had so many fun projects I did turning some of my old furniture in revamping it. It was the best thing I ever did for myself during this pandemic!! Since I couldn't go on vacation I made my house look like I was on vacation did a lot of painting ,sanding refurbishing furniture ,got rid of a lot of heavy heavy furniture and I used a lot of seafoam green and blue Tone's, lots of white and cream colors. Found a lot of great stuff at thrift stores I just stayed really busy trying to make it look classy and Chic without breaking the bank!!!!
@Maria: Love your ideas!!
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That's awesome, what a fun project!! 😀💗💕🏝👏🏻
Handy girl:-)! You are appreciated for your approach to the pandemic and your lifestyle. Take care and enjoy your creations:-)!
My husband and I honeymooned in the Caribbean. The home we bought when we returned had golden yellow and a darker yellow shade in the den. I noticed shortly after moving in that we argued more in the den than anywhere else. We painted the den a soft sea glass blue and the wall looking into the backyard a darker Caribbean blue. We added photos from the island that were printed onto large canvas, and a fake tropical palm tree. It is now the most relaxing room of our house.
Great video. This is such an important topic! I'm in my 50s and have moved way too many times. Natural light and what you see out the windows is game changing. My favorite home had tons of natural light and views of mature trees and cute neighboring homes. The warm oak floors were grounding. My mood was so good there. Now I'm living in a condo-box with very little light and a parking lot view. I'm struggling so hard emotionally and even developed clutter which is not my natural state. I feel chronically down, less motivated and less social. My health is showing it too. I will move in a couple weeks to a somewhat better space. But ultimately I will likely leave the area to afford what I really need - a sweet little, light filled bungalow with mature trees outside. This video is a gift and validation that I'm not just being particular.
When I'm feel a bit low I go out into the garden and start tidying,sweeping, pruning or dead heading, anything really. It doesn't matter what time of year it is there's always something to do.I get plenty of fresh air, I can hear the Bird song and after a few hours not only do I have a tidy garden but I also feel so much better.
Same here it is so therapeutic
I too recently discovered how relaxing weeding can be....providing it’s not too hot outside!
OH yes, fresh air and sunshine never goes amiss!
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Live in an urban area with cigarette smoke and boom boxes. The land isn’t yours but you continue to work with the things that grow to make them healthy and find peace with them. Some complaining, it could be worse. 🤣
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I have pale blue ceilings in my hall and living room. People say how calming my house is. Many don't notice the color, they just feel the peace. It also make the ceilings feel higher since blue seem to recede.
I did this in my kids' room and it was so dreamy!! I highly recommend!
As a woman who loves designing spaces and has recreated over 30 spaces I loved this video. I completely agree with the angular space reflecting poorly on one's life. ((We live in a ranch house made of cement walls and tile floors! Yikes! ) We moved away from the most charming and embracing 1909 cottage and I definitely noticed my depression increased in this new ranch house. So, I have drapped my bedroom wall, with soft textured tapestries
And added thick rugs on the floors. My favorite room is now a soft yellow. I also use greenery on the mantel. Hope that helps!
An add-on clutter tip if you have room is to keep an empty drawer here and there. It is soothing to me to know I have space and everything isn't stuffed to bursting. But keeping on top of stuff is very time consuming (not enough de-cluttering advocates admit that!).
I keep shelves empty for the soothing effect, windowsills with nothing on them, the piano too, but an empty drawer? That's next level.
I would like to add when it comes to lighting that lamps are so much better than just overhead lighting. Lamps make a room cozy and warm. My mom always turned off the overhead light and turned on the lamps. I think the only time she had the ceiling light on was when she was vacuuming or cleaning. Thanks for all the good tips here!
That has the opposite effect on me. I'm instantly depressed without overhead lighting and with yellow light because it makes me feel like I'm in endless dark winter nighs when it's dark half of the day and my time is running out.
I love bright overhead white light because it feels like the day is endless and bright, that I still have lots of time to finish my jobs. The first thing I love to do after getting up is switching the ceiling lights on, it instantly cheers me up. I only switch to lamps when I'm ready for bed.
taking rainbow colored christmas lights and leaving them up all year round inside has been my solution to overhead lights bc i hate them in the day let alone at night when there's no light at all outside, now nighttime is all pretty & greenish teal tint to it! (been debating on getting one of those fun sunset lamps too lol)
Great point! I like overhead bright (but dimmable) daylight pot lights for dreary days when I want it to feel like a sunny day in my house. But if it's sunny out, or if the sun is going down, lamps are way easier on the eyes.
Yes too much light is not the best only when necessary,and I rather turn the lamps on for more cozy feelings 👏
I agree with your mom. I am light sensitive. Also, I struggle with depression. My solution is natural light and as much as possible. Then I turn on lamps when more light is needed. Overhead lighting is rarely turned on by me. This is what is comfortable for me and my husband.
FINALLY! Someone was brave enough to say it out loud!! GRAY IS DEPRESSING! Being in the building industry (inspector) I have been in thousands of homes in the past 35 years and when I walk into a home painted gray I can instantly feel the lonely ness of it,. More times than not those homes are up for sale within two years. Why on earth this became so popular, I will never figure that out. THANK YOU!
Idk I find grey cozy but I totally get the rest of these. I’m absolutely taking notes for when I move.
Because it was stuffed down the throats of Social Media. And we are mostly all Sheep.
it reminds me of a carpark or warehouse, too industrial
I find greys cosy too, they're calming after a hectic shopping mall where colours and texts are vying for attention everywhere you look
Haha I've always felt the same way, but it's not a very popular opinion, so I keep my moth mouth shut
Pops of saturated colors in a room that has mostly neutral and calming tones is a great mood booster. Also, an element of surprise here and there. Example, I have a small wall at the entry of my kitchen that I changed to a chalkboard wall. People have drawn pictures or written down sayings. This element of surprise for my guests always gets a happy response. It makes me happy too.
I suffer with clinical depression. I have found the one thing that has helped me the most is decluttering! I am closer to minimalism, than the opposite, and it helps so much.
Fantastic video! Quick kind footnote: introverts aren’t always shy and hiding in their shirt. Extroverts tend to be energized by interactions with people and drained by being alone. Many introverts love being with people but are drained of energy by the interaction. Recharging happens when they are alone with their own thoughts and engaging in solitary interests they enjoy. You’re video is spot on. Thanks for sharing!
Agreed, I can only take so much of people. Then I need the quiet and peacefulness of being alone. It was hard for me growing up because my mother always had people around. We were total opposite.
This is one point I gave had to constantly repeat.
Exactly. Introvert vs extrovert has to do with how you feel energized. Introvert and shy don't mean the same thing. And people can change. I was totally an extrovert as a child and young adult. But as I have aged, I much prefer my own company and dealing with other people drains me, stresses me, irritates me. I am just too old and tired to want to deal with other people's horseshit and I don't have enough time left in my life to waste any of it on a bunch of babbling acquaintances. You wouldn't think from my videos, oh she's so shy, but I am def an introvert.
"Drained of energy by the interaction" - exactly right 💖💕
I think people often get a too narrow definition of what both introverts and extroverts are like. Both cases people vary a lot individually
I totally understand this approach to decorating. It has taken me a lot of years to untangle myself from the grips of depression. I'm also an introvert, and most introverts know that home is everything, its our safe haven and where we recharge our batteries. For years I thought decorating was something I couldn't manage, it was just too overwhelming for me. This simply resulted in just more depression. I was in a cycle of having to deal with working and moving through a very extroverted world, (which is bad enough) but then to come home to surroundings that did not allow me to find that sense of calmness and quiet that introverts so desperately need in their own space. After all of the online information sources became available, I soon discovered that decorating your home did not require a degree. Once I tackled making my home my sanctuary, and not worrying about how things "should" look, I was on my way to a much more personal happiness. The information you provide here is spot on. I cannot tolerate bold wall colors, at all! my walls have to be white or a very subtle neutral calming shade. I really struggle with even accents unless its subtle greens, golds, yellows, browns. Earth tones are best. I love throws and soft textures. I've always loved gardening but in past few years brought a lot more houseplants in my home, and they do add so much life to a space, especially white walls. I have allowed myself an extra room as my "creative space" where I can have messes, and play. Clutter is not allowed otherwise in my home. Really enjoy all of your videos, you have a great way of connecting with your audience in your presentations. Keep them coming!
I loved this! I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for over a decade and have totally noticed an improvement in my mood as I've gotten older, found my own style, acquired more money for decorating, and reduced my consumerism.
The four major ones you touched on for me are:
1. Reducing plastic and incorporating more naturally occurring materials. I try to keep things mostly wood (not particle board with wood veneer) and fabric, and throw in metal, ceramic, and glass accents (I really think colored glass is quite beautiful and not cold).
2. Personalized artwork. It's okay to acquire this slowly. I don't want to come off as a snob, but I think the pieces I've picked up while traveling and visiting gift shops/galleries make my space way more interesting than the generic Wayfair prints I see in some of my friends' places.
3. Plants. Real ones give me a lot of satisfaction, especially when I see them grow. I've had great success with snake plants (Mother in law's tongue), pothos (devil's ivy), and rubber plants. They are tolerant when I under or overwater and snake plants are actually pretty good in rooms that are more low light. Just make sure you are buying pet-friendly plants if you have pets. Plus there are so many cute planters out there, you don't have to use the generic terracotta or plastic ones. I like Lowe's and TJ Maxx/Homegoods to find ceramic planters in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes.
4. Declutter. Can't stress that enough. Clutter is a visual reminder that you have more to do. I can never fully relax if my space is cluttered. I buy the smaller Sterelite boxes and try to keep as much stuff out of sight, out of mind as possible.
I just want to add that clutter and mindful consumerism are closely related. My clutter problem happened because I had a shopping problem. When I realized this, I removed shopping apps from my phone, unsubscribed from Buzzfeed and other websites/RUclips channels with listicles of "things you have to buy." That right there cut down on a lot of the problem. Now I try to be mindful of the things I purchase. Will I use it? Do I already have a similar item that functions just fine? Will it be a dust collector or a pain in the butt to clean when I'm in a depressive episode?
Your advice on clutter and shopping are what I needed. Everyday I get notifications from these shopping apps and half the time it works to make me shop. Gonna delete my apps. I might have to screenshot your questions to ask myself when I want to buy something!
Depression prone and a huge SAD girl here. I moved into a new apartment during the pandemic. The living-room was stark white with a dark blue accent wall. The entire apartment was painted in cool tones and stark whites. It was so depressing, it was almost tangible. I couldn't take it anymore and had the entire place painted in Jotun's Soft Skin. It was the best thing I ever did. Also, rounded edges on accent chair, dining chairs, coffee table, and lamps that are all dimmable. Pretty much everything mentioned in this video works. Trust your instincts, don't settle.
What color is that? The soft skin shade?
💗John 3:16💗
Fantastic video. Subscribed on the spot. My tip would be try some of these hacks in your workspace away from home. I am retired, but when I had an interior office with no window, I brought in a sunlight spectrum light which really improved my mood. I got a plant, and a bookcase to organize the space better and declutter my desk. I asked for and got a desk that could be raised or lowered so I could stand or sit, and a cup warmer so my coffee stayed hot. And lastly, a patient (I was a nurse) noted my love of The Blue Angels flying group and my lack of a window. He brought me a color photo he took of The Blue Angels flying in formation across the blue skies. I hung it in front of my desk. I will never forget that man and how he touched my heart.
I’ll wager that person brings a lot of light to every place he goes!
So nice of him.👏
Great ideas!
thank you for sharing, I love this!!!
Hello 👋🏻
I suffer from chronic depression due to chronic pain and illness so I look for objects that make me happy and feel warm and loved. I found a Christmas tree on line that is made of red berries instead of pine needles and I keep it up year round decorating it differently for various holidays and times of year. In the summer I wrapped it in Hawaiian leis and tropical fish. In the fall with glitter covered leaves and fall flowers. It not only brightens my spirits but everyone's who enters my home.
An excellent and thought-provoking video. I've been living with, and caring for, my elderly mother and my mental health has taken a nosedive because of the clutter, mess, and shabbiness of everything. I had no idea how important is was to me to live in a calm, well thought out, and clean environment. This video nails it - well done!
I'm a counselor. I appreciate your sensitivity to how our physical environment impacts the inhabitants. I'm glad I discovered you!
Since retiring several years ago I'm spending allot more time in my personal space. I can see now that all the things mentioned in this video are more important than ever. Someone should do a study on those retiring that feel anxious/depressed. I'm thinking many of us probably could use a personal space overhaul.
I’m a Research Psychologist and I work in the field of User Interface Research. Your are right about so much and your mirror tips blew me away. They can affect those with anxiety, especially at night, since they amplify movement out of the corner of the eye. Great video.
You nailed it on the head for me with the mirrors. Any space I may have to move through in the dark, ie from the bedroom to the bathroom, I don't want any mirrors in those spaces, freaks me out even when I know they are there. Even a mirror above the sink I find unnerving, my brain just can't make the connection in the dark that it's me 😂
very helpful thanks. The little red indicator lights on appliances really stress me out at night. I have to put stickers over them.
That is really interesting. I like mirrors just for the extra light - never had an issue with them at night - too much other clutter of my husband's attracts my attention from the front of my eye!
I had big mirrored closet doors that were practically an entire wall of my bedroom and it was good for making my room bright with a single lamp but annoying at night so I kept one door open. I normally don't even have mirrors in the bedroom so that was a big adjustment.
@@Zenbee723 they even sell blackout stickers for that. I have a fan that's remote controlled and has an insanely bright red light. It was too bright at night so I covered it too.
I find that having things that I've grown to love over the years gives me a feeling of comfort whether they are considered oh so yesterday or not.
I'm working on a redesign project for a medical space, and your video is a great way to communicate to the owners the reasons behind my design choices. It explains my approach so well! I love that you added some research, which can help people without a natural design sense understand the detriments of poorly executed interiors and the benefits of an intentionally designed space where all the elements work together for a desired effect. I'll definitely be sharing this video!
I often wish medical spaces would have some sort of water fountain and plants.
I agree with you regarding color. I was shocked to learn that my depression went away once we painted a grey wall soft yellow. Yes, yellow is the color for me! I have to stay away from grey and brown!
Same here. We painted our house with the builder's model home beige. After a couple of years it turned grey. I grew to hate it and we repainted with a soft very pale yellow. It never changed and when repainting was needed again we used the same colour. It does help. The current all white and grey tones style is very dreary to me. Warm natural colour is good!
Soo... a clinical depression was cured with different colour of walls? What did your psychiatrist say?
@@Stefiiiz 🙄
@@Stefiiiz Mine said that whatever helps you is worthwhile. Have you found that sarcasm works well for you? 🤨
@@Stefiiiz no one said clinical depression smart one
A great design idea I chose for my space is that I have a postcard wall. This is a cheap way to design your space and brings happy memories to mind when I look at it. I can continuously add to it every time I go somewhere new and all I need to add a new card is 50 cents and a push pin.
A couple of things I do, that don't really add to any aesthetic, but do lighten my mood is to hang colorful, fun or silly pictures on the inside of my kitchen cabinets' doors and I also put cutesy animal statues/figurines that I like, but do not wish to have out in my main living areas. This way, when I open a cabinet to get a dish or a bag of rice, I am greeted with a fun picture or cute statue. 😁
I used indoor plants, orange cushions and blankets, candles, pampas , and warm colored lamps to ease my depression in home. And I agree with everything said in video
This is a great video, and touches on many things that I’ve learned or noticed over the years, as well as hits a few new things. One thing I’ve learned to do is just turn on the lights in winter. I’ve gotten away from feeling wasteful when having more than I strictly need lit. Moving through a dark house is depressing, especially when the dark hours begin by 4:30 in the afternoon. Having a lamp on in every corner of my living room makes a huge difference in my overall mood. Add a cheerful fire in the grate and things just became awesome.
One last thing. The best accessory for lifting mood is adding a cosy cat who will jump in your lap, or an easy going old dog who just wants an ear scratch. Nothing better.
I agree, pets make all homes better. 🥰 At one point I had 3 fish tanks, 1macaw, 2 dogs. It was amazing. 🥰
I totally agree about the lights! I recently made the same decision and specifically told my husband what I was doing so he wouldn't come along and turn everything off. He was totally on board. My health is more important to him than saving a few bucks on the electric bill.
Love the cat!
Yes, I turn on the lights in the room I am in
Besides having lamps I also use candles more in winter. The light produced elevates the mood and reminds me of the sun and warmer months.
Oh my God! I wish this video existed many years ago. I moved to Norway 13 years ago and the first thing I saw was this famous Scandinavian design in architecture and interior. Needless to say I got severly depressed and developed panic attacks after a few years. Me and my husband have had this clean and edgy minimalistic Scandinavian style at home. This whole country gives me anxiety. I could kind of sense that the interior makes me anxious and depressed but I never realized it consciously and never thought it could be so serious! The modern Scandinavian style is cool and impressive to look at as a tourist but very depressive to live in.
You were depressed certainly because of the lack of light in his country…. It is known that when you live near the North Pole or the South Pole the number of depressive people or suicides get higher than anywhere else. That is why it is very important to take vitamin D.
I am Norwegian and "clean and edgy" isn't the style most people have in their homes in my experience. Most people like their homes to be cosy with warm lighting, wood etc. It's in fashion, yes - personally I avoid restaurants etc. in that style and I avoid areas of my city (Oslo) that only consist of modern architecture. But I'm dreading the futuristic hell we are heading for as the city council has now decided that very tall buildings/skyscrapers will be allowed in the city centre.
My bedroom has a purple accent wall, the colour is called "raspberry glaze". It was the BEST choice I could have possibly made. Purple is soothing when you need it to be soothing, and energizing when you need a pep in your step. It's such a versatile "in-between" colour that suits all your moods. I think purple is an excellent choice for a bedroom.
Oh now I want a big blue curvy sofa!
Me too! How comfortable and pretty. Cheaper is a pillow or two, ottoman, drapes etc. I have all three!🤓
Mango orange for me-what she said about choosing colors-but yes!
I’m seconding orange but maybe pumpkin or rust for me. Mango color would make me so hungry as they’re my favorite fruit by a mile.
After a terrible divorce at 68, I was forced to downsize to a tiny condo that I now love! I used calming colors like seafoam, light greys and creams. My bedroom is a lifelong dream of pink. I used a wonderful professional organizer who helped me tremendously, not just with the downsizing part but also getting organized in my new space. She was so worth the money spent! I also got things out that I loved but never felt comfortable using. There's now a pink quilt hanging behind my headboard and many other old quilts on a quilt stand and blanket ladder. I smile every time I walk into my bedroom! Healing comes in many forms and my cozy condo has helped me tremendously.
For me, it is calming and relaxing when my spaces (work and home) are both organized and clean. I have a personal preference for symmetry in design and monochromatic decor, it calms and comforts me. Oddly enough, I also like change, it invigorates me. To achieve a feeling of "new and fresh", I switch out my accessories seasonally and I move smaller pieces of furniture from room to room. This way I don't have to keep buying, I switch around what I have. One tip: use your cell phone to take a picture of your space, the picture will tell you if you have achieved whatever your design goal was.
For me it really helps to introduce scents that make me feel calm and comfy. There's a lot of different variations of aroma lamps, scented candles, etc. for pretty much any style of interior and I couldn't imagine my home without them.
Environment is everything and now that we spend so much time in our homes, this video was spot on. My home hack for the pandemic was to add a Light Therapy light during morning coffee. My mood has been better ever since.
I’m with you on the gray. I’ve always found it so depressing and sterile looking. The inside of my house looks like a Crayola crayon box. 🤣 I love color. It makes happy. I have a turquoise dining room, pink living room with gorgeous deep blue velvet couches, a purple bedroom, the list goes on. I know it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s ok. If we ever sell our house, I’m going to have some painting to do.
I think it is great that you went with the colors you enjoy. I hate when people feel like they have to stick with ivory walls and beige carpeting "in case we ever sell." I say paint it how you want and let new buyers do the repainting. I used to think about re-sale, and then I realized that made it like this isn't MY home, I am just a caregiver til the next owner moves in. screw that
Yes indeed... 😂
I am with you on color! Before I even moved into my house (which I purchased nearly 19 - woah - years ago) I knew I wanted a true red living room. Still love it. My kitchen is painted metallic blue and the cabinets are black (I painted them) and the upper cabinet fronts are covered with a mosaic I did using cut up CDs, my master bathroom is royal purple, my office is a different purple, the "living room" of my basement is a royal blue, and my guest room/lounge is a metallic turquoise. I actually hate the act of painting walls but LOVE how much they can change a room.
And I agree that it's nuts to live in a place (especially if you own it and can do whatever you want unlike in many rental situations) and not paint and do what you like to enjoy the space you live in. Even if one painted every room a neutral color, if you're trying to sell you'd likely still have to paint them due to scuffs, repairing holes, and marks and just living.
@@stacyklesen1232 Your house sounds amazing! I think we just need to find like-minded people when sell our houses who will appreciate our color choices. 😆 But, you’re right about most likely having to repaint anyway due to scuffs and such. Very good point!
I wish I could see that!
Fantastic video! Wish I had seen this 15 years ago. When I was a kid we moved house and my mother asked me what color I wanted my walls to be. I said blue since that was my favorite color but I've come to realize that that was a huge mistake. After several moves in the past 6 years I finally moved into a flat that will be more permanent stay. This time I thought really hard about how I wanted it to look, what kind of colors. I didn't think about what my favorite colors are but what would help me battle depression and anxiety. What would make me feel happy and at peace. And intuitively I chose to paint one of my walls a fresh, light green (the rest are white), and to have white, wooden and yellow furniture. And omg, what a difference it makes to my mood! I can only recommend it to everyone to be very mindful of how they decorate their space. Now I just need to add some plants and it'll be perfect. :)
What helped me was splitting big rooms into smaller rooms with deviders. If a room is too big and too empty i feel kinda lost in it. Also when you have dedicated spaces for things like a workspace or a craft area but being there just doesn't feel quite right, don't feel forced to keep it that way. Change positioning of whole rooms. Sometimes the first impulses when you move into a new place are not what feels right on the long run. Don't be afraid to change that later on. I put my home office in the space where i feel most comfortable in my flat even when its not perfectly convenient there and it changed so much how i view my time working.
A grey with a warm base tone can be calming, my daughter has depression and anxiety she's 20 but wanted a blk room , I hated the idea worried it would make her worse, so we looked at dark charcoal greys with warm base, we also kept the roof white and floor light, we wood paneled one small wall with rich warm tones, and another wall was a wall mural of trees in a misty setting , we have fake plants, cream bedding and blinds, she has a large window with a lot of light, we also have warm strip lighting, salt lamp and seed fairy lights, all for warmth and light, she has done really well with no signs of health being worse, if anything she says it feels like a real safe cosy place to chill, she maybe likes it too much, I have a diploma in interior design , so colours do make great therapy, and we all react differently, my sons calm colour is pink, he has depression too but his is more anger, orange and lime green are good colours for him too, blue is bad as is red , I prefer anything on the natural tones , but love brsmatic too. I also don't like to keep a room the same for too many years usually 3 at a push, it helps keep you moving forward to renew and regenerate , spring is a great time to decorate .
Oh how I'd love to see photos of the rooms in your home!
@@lindajohnson2149 apart from hers everything else never seems to get completed properly , iam always busy so these days house is my last thing, I loved to decorate when I was a little younger, not that iam old , I just spend more time outdoors , if myself or phone took better photos I'd put them up , pintrest has been my go too for rough ideas , a tip I have though is go for the colour swatches of colours that can be made up, that way you can pick cool, warm or neutral tones of a colour along with shades of a colour, instead of being stuck with a brochure colour which in general is one colour . Don't be scared to try something different, I've started painting with colours before put up a half wall of paint and got scared, plucked up courage finished and it's been great, I've had the odd blooper too, thankfully white paint can be picked up pretty cheap 😄. Good luck with all anyone tries
That is very interesting about the colors that help your son as the orange and light green would drive me more insane. just proves, one size does not fit all. your daughter's room really sounds very pretty. You clearly know how to use dark colors. I have seen a lot of teenagers pant their rooms very dark and it never looks good because they don't take it to the next step like you did with all the important pretty details.
@@freakinfrugal5268 the trick is to stay away from the true dense black , it's best suited to large rooms with lots of natural light, but can feel cold and dense . The charcoals can feel softer even though they are dark , I wasn't a lover of my sons pink room, nor his orange and lime green, he had NY City photo wall mural too, but for me ? Nope , nor my daughter , it takes a little time to find the ideas that best use the colours with the person's personality. It's been interesting and a real learning curve, I prefer light and lots of raw edge wood, maybe one day il get there for myself 😁
As someone who suffers from risen anxiety levels during the winter I can also highly recommend fairy lights and salt lamps for the evenings (or also during dark and gloomy days). Salt lamps feel a bit like fireplaces and add to the coziness. Also don't only choose colors you like/ that you consider chic. I have a black matte kitchen and I loved it so much during summer. But in winter I have to decorate it a lot in order to tone down the darkness of it. (And cover the also black tiles with a bright carpet, what have I done)
I personally love a clean and more minimalist home during summer, but during winter I need a lot of cozy decor.
I also ask myself before I buy anything: " How will this make me feel when I see it every day?". Way more important then if it fits the rest or if I think its pretty.
Yes! That is the number one question you should ask yourself...how do you want to FEEL in the space.
Great idea about the lighting.
Views from windows onto trees or pretty streetscapes are very beneficial to my mental health. I make sure to arrange my furniture so that I have uplifting views when seated on my couch or reading chair -- where I spend most of my time. I don't worry about my study or dining area because I spend less time looking out windows from those locations. I also like to have sky views out the windows from my bed as I settle in and prepare to sleep.
A few things on color that I find helpful.
The less natural light in a room, the lighter the color. If you want a dark soothing color in a small dark room, then find a wall that gets the most direct light, and paint that with your color, and then paint the other walls a lighter neutral or complement color. The light will hit that color wall and it will spread and give some of the rest of the room some flavor.
Don't be afraid of boring brown, grey, or off-white walls... but don't have a totally dark or colorless environment. You frankly should not really notice your walls, and having grey or off-white becomes something very easy to mask out to your brain, which then frees your brain up to focus in on colorful items that may be in the room. So maybe grey walls... but with an interesting light fixture, or colorful furniture, or something else that you want to focus on and draw your attention.
For lighting, having very bright directional light from a 'global' source is helpful... when you can do it. So, having a small bright low-hanging light over a dining room table may be pretty awful... but having lots of spot lights pointing from multiple directions is also really off-putting. The name of the game is to emulate sunshine, so either bright up-ward lights that reflect down from a white cieling to spread and pour into the room is one great option. In my basement space I painted the unfinished floor joists white, and put strips of LED lights up and down the gaps and it makes an amazing daylight effect. When working down here during the pandemic I would often be supprised to come upstairs to find that it was stormy outside, or getting dark out. In my basement with those lights on it is always a sunny high noon! And it brightened my mood considerably!
Another thing people don't think about much is noise control, and air pollution.
Most homes have beautiful hardwood flooring, and high ceilings, and lots of industrial stone or metal finishes on things... and it makes for an echoey mess. Put down some pads under your carpet. Get some nice thick drapes. Put some sound deadening panels behind your bookshelves, or behind hanging artwork. Anything to help open up the audio space to feel more open and make the walls disappear a little bit. It helps make a space feel more private and spacious if you can't hear constant echoes, or even the slightest noise of everyone you share a house with.
For air pollution, get an EUV add-on and a good air filter on your HVAC unit. They are not expensive, or difficult to install, and can help kill bacteria and viruses in your air. Change out your filters regularly, and make sure your rooms are getting good air circulation so that any particular room doesn't get a build-up of anything. Use a whole-house humidifier to keep the humidity between 40-60% year round to prevent molds from growing. In particularly rough places like basements or attic spaces, use air purifiers. If you find you need one in your main living space then upgrading your HVAC is cheaper. And an air purifier doesn't need to be expensive, just a higher-end 20"x20" filter taped to a box fan is going to be as effective or better than a multi-hundred dollar air filter with botique expensive filters.
And then practice some common sense; If you have good filters, don't leave doors and windows open as they will ruin your filters quickly. Don't burn incense or candles indoors... that stuff is not healthy to breathe in and is a carcinogen. If your oils in your diffuser are not food safe... well, don't breathe those in either because you are still ingesting them. Generally speaking, if something smells (good or bad), then it is likely something reacting with something else and you probably shouldn't have it around. Food of course being the one big exception provided it isn't burning. But if you step outside for 10 minutes and walk into your home and smell something... then you have an issue that should be addressed. It isn't that your space needs to be sterile (I mean... honestly that is next to impossible), but you want to keep particulates in the air at a minimum. No smoke, bacteria, etc. As more and more studies are done, we keep finding more and more issues these things cause. I mean, if you are actively cooking or cleaning something then it is going to smell, and that is all good. But if you stopped and an hour later you can still smell it, then you need to fix something.
I love this and agree with pretty much all of it, especially gray. I could never understand why people felt gray was a good choice. We’re remodeling an old home in a place where winters are long, cold and gloomy. I’ve had issues with depression my whole life. With this house I have decided to paint all interior with white for that clean, fresh start over feeling. I’ve added different splashes of color here and there and then a lot of plants and wood pieces and I am absolutely loving it! It feels relaxing, refreshing and cozy with rugs, pillows and throws yet energizing at the same time. In my bedroom I installed one short wall with wallpaper of birch trees. Add an exercising routine and I’m having a great winter! Thanks for this common sense video. I’m certain a lot of people could benefit from it!
I used to feel this way too. Our last home was very colorful and I loved it. Before we sold we painted everything grey and it felt so much more spacious and relaxing. Now we are renovating our next home and going with mostly grey. I was very nervous to do this but so far I love it!!! It has a very light purple underdone, so it's a very soft grey and it's just lovely. We'll see how I feel actually living in it though. I love color so I'm planning to use a lot of color in other ways
I live in a usually very sunny and warm to hot place and dread sunny days. Gray, cloudy, foggy, rainy days are what make me happy so I actually love incorporating plenty of gray items. I add colors through accessories that can be easily changed when I'm tired of that color.
It’s bizarre at times how different people really are. I find too colorful or bright places to cause me anxiety or make me feel like I need to be “on” all the time. I like grey shades because it makes me feel cozy, like on a rainy day. It makes me feel like I can let everything go and just be myself. I am definitely more of a night owl though so I find peace in more “gloomy” atmospheres. I wonder if that plays a role. Either way, I’m happy you’ve found a way to make your depression more manageable and I’m not saying you’re wrong for not liking grey. I just thought it was funny how different we view the color.
@@kimberlywest7839 so true. There was a time when I would cringe at the thought of all white. Too sterile and lifeless. Now I find it so refreshing and clean. I used to wallpaper every room in my house and now it would make me feel closed in and way too busy! Funny how with time we can make a complete turnaround. Makes me wonder what I’ll like 10 years from now. 😂
@@denisecarpenter4373 Humans are weird lol. I am also curious to see what I’ll be like in the future. I think it’s important to allow yourself to change instead of sticking to something just because you liked it for so long.
Decluttering is one of the biggest things that has helped me feel less depressed and anxious at home!
OMG me too!
I never felt anxiety in my life until I decided to hang a bunch of 17th century gargoyles on my walls and added a ouija board to the coffee table. What a gaffe that was.
Thank you for swerving the usual clichéd “stick to cool blues and greens” one-size-fits-all schtick! It’s great to recognise that people can tailor their colour choices to their particular needs.
Couldn’t agree more about avoiding stark white or grey interiors. I find both so depressing!
@@yorki222 I think the gray trend is finally over, thank heavens.
yeah, this video was so thoughtful and grounded! Personally I've never liked blue (except light cyan/turquoise), 'cause it feels cold and depressing to me.
Oh, and I find light grey paired with light blue and brown very calming in my bedroom and light grey paired with bright green very refreshing in my bathroom. It makes the latter feel like rocky forest spring. But then I kinda hate strong, saturated warm colours so perhaps it's just personal preference.
@@autumnramble Colors paired with gray can be lovely. But all gray and white? That’s depressing.
Ugh, personally I hate the grey trend - it looks awful - very cold. I am not a fan of beige, but it is warmer than grey if you have to stick with such neutral tones. But some people may genuinely love the gray. People need to find the colors that work for them. I always always always have a yellow bathroom and yellow kitchen. Happy, sunny, bright, cheerful. Once I was in someone's home and she had dark eggplant walls in her bedroom and she was talking about painting it and wanted suggestions, so I said, why don't you try a nice sunny, not too intense (no school bus yellows) yellow, and she reacted like I was INSANE for suggesting yellow. And I thought, well who's the idiot who thought dark eggplant would be nice? Gotta remember though, it takes all kinds to make up the world - if everyone had a yellow bedroom, well, it wouldn't be right - not everyone can pull off my level of coolness.
You really hit the nail on the head with this one. I've decorated with many trends over the years and used lots of colors, but I've switched my entire home to a neutral taupe and ivory. I started with my bedroom and realized I instantly felt calmer when entering, like a retreat. Being neutral also allows me to use pops of color for the changing seasons with pillows, candles and florals. It changes everything without changing anything really. I used to have real plants, but nowadays the fake ones look pretty real, so I have trees and plants in every room as well. They are great space fillers and add to my calmness. I also use natural wood as much as possible. The overall mood is calm and airy. Others have told me the same. My neighbor, however, is the opposite. She uses every single color and fills every inch of wall space with pictures. I notice when I visit I cannot focus. My eyes are traveling everywhere but on her and it makes me feel anxious.
I said something very similar, Norma. People have commented on how « zen » my house feels. Neutral colors, splashes of bright colors...
Notice that most interior decorators go neutral. It's sophisticated and calming. I love to add pops of color that changes with the seasons.
@@yorki222 Dark can be beautiful and neutral. Check out House of Valentina on youtube.
@@yorki222 depends on the purpose of the room and your needs. We have a very small bathroom in our house. In the past I've tried several lighter colours, including yellow. The current scheme is dark teal, the fittings and tiling being being plain white. Cork floor and a large blue and brown boat going into the sea picture ties everything. It's the best it's ever been. The rest of the house is lighter with small accents.
Do you want light, open, and energy or warm, intimate and cosy. Variations of the same colour scheme give flow to the house. My kitchen has some of the bathroom teal but duck egg in the family room. Warm honey white and primrose in a lighter space could become caramel and chocolate in a snuggly space. Coloured pencils and basic furniture shapes on paper are a great help in planning. It's an aid, not public art.
@@linda8485 @Debi Ferg dark can also be neutral, like how the night sky is, I painted my bedroom midnight blue and have the best sleep and rest since
I can so relate to the idea of getting rid of objects that bring back bad memories. I had to do a major clean out recently due to moving and it was quite traumatic at times to go through all the boxes of clutter and toss things out. Now I'm so glad I did it because those things won't haunt me again. The memories may pop up again but at least it happens in a natural way and you can deal with things one at a time instead of being emotionally overwhelmed by everything all at once.
I love the 'disclaimer' at the beginning and the sensitivity & homework done to delve into this topic, especially the tips about just cleaning one little space at a time if everything is too much. So many psychologists say the same thing: you have to break each task up into the tiniest chunks. I struggle with any form of housework and literally have to do 5 minutes at a time. I'm one of those people are just wired so differently and it can feel quite overwhelming and depressing at times when I compare myself to other people who are super tidy and neat. I often feel judged and pressured to confirm to how tidy people do it but, no matter how much I try to get myself to the same place as them, it just doesn't work, and I get even more anxious, depressed and overwhelmed about it than what I already am. I'm busy exploring why I'm like this but, in the meantime, this video has been so helpful and so non-judgmental, thanks so much. It's given me a little bit of motivation to try again.
Having a clean space
I found if my room was messy and I didn’t have the emotional energy to clear it or clean it myself I would ask for help and make it a more positive association with cleaning by enjoying it with someone. it always boosted my mood when I was able to lay down at the end of the day in a clean space it’s like your mind is starting from scratch or taking a breath or truely fresh air.
Yes, yes and yes! I have been struggling with depression for a few years now and I have been improving a lot of stuff in my home in the last year - removing the clutter, adding missing furniture, adding some art on the walls, actually started to care for my plants (after killing a few of them...). This improved my health tremendously!
I always go for the very tolerant and less killable plants - like African violets and spider plants and that ivy thing and begonias! Something like a beautiful orchid would never make it in my house. I do pretty well with keeping poinsettias alive - I have 2 now that are totally pressing their leaves up to the window for more light - they cannot wait for a trip outside when the weather is warm enough.
I have bought listed artist's oil paintings, lithographs, numbered prints, sculptures and art glass at thrift stores. Nothing was over 10 dollars. And I never knew why I needed art in every room. My room has my favorites. I chose the paint in my house to work with the art. I guess I am falling in love all day. No wonder. Great video. I learned so much.
So much of this resonates with me!
I am an introvert, and suffer with anxiety and depression. My sanctuary is critical to my mental health.
I know the colors that work for me, and I’ve been able to incorporate those in a lot of my living area. Things that really boost my mood are plants, which I have everywhere. Lighting is also incredibly important to me. I love the coziness of fairy lights…. I’ve incorporated them into some of my wrought iron plant racks/shelves, and also have glass beads commingled with fairy lights in jars and placed in areas that give off a soft glow. Rice paper lampshades also do wonders for my mood.
I've taken the advice of having the base room colors neutral. I did choose grey partly because there was so much of it available, but I was tired of beige. I know that even aqua can be a neutral color, it's just too much work for me to figure that one out. The grey isn't depressing for me because I add a lot of color in other ways. It's just a backdrop in the way that gallery walls are often grey. The grey makes the brighter colors look brighter. I have depression and for me changing the accessories is like dialing up or dialing down without spending a lot of money. Also, I get tired of the same things easily. I change cushion and table covers and the room gets a different mood, but it's never too much. Clutter is a drag on my mood. I'm trying to declutter more and more but I'm sick and have limited energy. I think I'm gaining on it, but it needs to happen faster. I love your video and am subscribing.
I agree with you on the color grey. It's a neutral color and I can add pops of color to enhance it. I am installing a grey floor. I really found the ideas refreshing, and have been working on decluttering starting with 1 drawer. I felt like I accomplished a lot doing this. After living in this home over 35 years, I have accumulated too much.
Yeap we repainted with gray walls throughout the house. In my room I added pink, white and pops of gold. The pink and gold really make me feel great.
My sister did pops of yellow, she said it made her feel “happy” (stereotypical but true)
Now I just need to de clutter🥴 and maybe the anxiety will ease up
That's why I love grey. Makes the colours so pretty ^^
I can't thank you enough for bringing these observations to light. We've always had a very brightly colored home, displaying items that were relevant to what was happening i.e. children's art work, travel souvenirs, and beautiful items belonging to family members no long with us, etc that made a very happy house. However, adding the effects of the pandemic, becoming empty nesters and living in a city that is very grey, gloomy and cold in the winter, has made me sad and unhappy in my space. Instinctively, I have removed/decluttered and emptied my walls and spaces of everything no longer bringing me joy, allowing for a clean slate. My husband and I both seem to crave a more peaceful, soft, pulled together look now. Your video gave me some answers. But how do you create that without spending a lot of money on new furniture, artwork, greenery, paint, wallpaper etc, when all you have belongs to another life? Anyway, thanks again for teaching me how to look at my space differently and seeing how it is tied to my emotional wellbeing.
Hi Rita! I started with the things that felt the most off: I got rid of them and replaced them with things I love. If you declutter, I’m thinking you will find, as I have, that I don’t need a lot so it’s not that expensive. Nobody said you had to do it overnight! I didn’t.
Thrifting can also score you unique furniture, artwork, and decor at a fraction of the price that you would buying new.
My husband and I left grown children and all their stuff, and moved a couple thousand miles. We found our new life at estate sales, Craig's list and Wayfair. We had fun doing it together... I didn't think I'd like those orange chairs he picked, but it's all good!
I find that having comfortable throw blankets and soft fluffy pillows on my couch (which is pretty much the staple piece of furniture in my apartments since it's small) really helps uplift my mood. I have a basket with even more blankets and pillows in my living room as well in case I have company or just want some extra snuggles. It creates a softer appearance and helps break up my couch. I love knitted blankets, cream-colored or soft neutral (like a muted green) blankets because they don't add too much eye strain and make the space more inviting and soft. It also helped me to remove the carpet I had in my living room. My apartment is pretty small and my kitchen and living room are right next to each other so the rug seemed dingy and dirty no matter how much I cleaned it, it seemed to suck the grease from cooking right out of the air. When I removed it the space seemed brighter and it was easier to clean. I would also recommend a shoe cubby if you have a ton of shoes on a rack or on the floor, it helps to alleviate clutter and gives you an extra surface to decorate.
this might not be for everyone because i know some people prefer the minimalist vibe, but having personal items or just things you like displayed is my favorite way to make something feel like me, like home. wall-wise it could be artwork of a show/movie you like, your favorite album on vinyl on the wall, simply arranging your bookshelf in a way that draws the eye to your favorite books or printing out photos that make you happy and remember nice times when you look at them. you could also display an item that you're happy/proud of owning, for example i love old stuff and i have my bright orange typewriter (that i got for ten bucks at the fleamarket) on my shelf and everytime i notice it i type something, and it just makes me happy. maybe you have a pretty blanket or a hobby that involves collecting stuff that you can display, whatever it is. just personalizing a space does a lot for me, doesn't need to be excessive. (it's also a great conversation starter when you have people over and your stuff has a story, i love it when i'm in someone elses home and can just walk around like it's their little personal museum and they get all excited when you ask about something :))
This was gold. I do this in my home by pure instinct. I have this simple philosophy "If your space is in order your mind is in order"
Great video! I just finished cleaning, decluttering, repainting and rearranging most rooms in my home. It felt truly cathartic! My home was wearing me down and now I feel contained, protected and “loved” by “my walls”.
It took a lot of energy yet that energy has transformed into a new form of energy which I’m enjoying profusely! 🙏❤️😊
Hi Marion! I did the same thing, I call it the Great Purge! It feels great to have a space where we feel we belong, doesn’t it?
@@alchimiehumaine4643 It’s truly an emotional and psychological experience of rehabilitation. “All that weight” is finally lifted and you’re free to breathe 🧘
These are all such great design and style tips! Even for people who don’t necessarily suffer from chronic depression or anxiety. I find that clutter and furniture placement are my two biggest contributors to feeling comfortable in my home. If things are cluttered I simply cannot function. And if my furniture just feels ‘off’ I find I can’t relax. It’s important to find out what bothers you most so you can easily fix the spaces in your home for maximum comfort. ❤️❤️❤️
I suffer depression last December. Praying helps me a lot.
Selling my soul helps me a lot
I went through the worst depression of my life in the past few years. One thing that helped me was I put post it notes up around the house with inspirational sayings. I would put them on mirrors, doors, and anywhere along my path in the house. It acted as a daily reminder of what I wanted to focus on, and I believe it helped me greatly. It's not exactly decor, but you could print out some of your favorite quotes and frame them.
Totally did that too. Not just inspirational but things to focus on (with all the chaos it was sometimes hard to know where to start each day). Things like: "I will be part of the solution, not the problem." "Make one *good* day at a time." "A year from now you may wish you'd started today." and "Courage, Compassion, Optimism, Self-control."
My tip: Having one big bulletin board with things that give me joy. It contains photo's off all the people i love, a mini of a fav painting, some cards, polaroids, fav quotes enz. Having this spread trough the whole room would make it feel messy, but i get soo happy looking at them all contained at one place. :)
Nice tip!!
Thank you SO much for this video! It actually made me cry. I’ve been trying to find ways to reduce my anxiety, and the tips you shared really help. ❤️
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 BRAVO. This is hands down one of the BEST videos I’ve ever seen on design, addressing mood or not. You covered all the most impactful design elements in a clear, relatable and meaningful way. You even made it succinct while being genuinely altruistic.
Helpful examples! Great info! Fun edits!
If your goal was to truly help people: mission accomplished. THANK YOU 🏆
Wow! What a great topic to talk about. I personally have not seen any videos concerning home decor and mental health, (not to say that they don't exist). I'm glad that you posted this video since the pandemic has turned us into involuntary homebodies. It goes beyond just creating a cozy or comfortable space. Thanks Vivian and hope you have a wonderful new year!!
Much love 😍😍
Edit: Also, just got to this part of the video 10:04... now I wanna research more about color therapy 😲☺️
Wonderful topic-- our interiors that we live in impacts many aspects of our lives. Thank you!
Every week I go to my LDS church Temple, in the celestial room and throughout the Temple it's absolutely beautiful 😍 we have plants and beautiful large painting's ,huge crystal chandeliers, there all stunning throughout the world 🌎. I have the pleasure of being there to take in the beauty of it all, and to feel the spirit of the Lord.
I asked myself how it makes me feel to be there? And could I even make it messy , and the answer is NO, there's nothing you could do to make it messy, except the couch pillows on the floor. That's exactly how I want my house to be , clutter free! It feels so clean and bright 🌞 and beautiful!😍
I love this and absolutely feel that this ties in with mental and physical health. I bought the house I grew up in and it came with my mama and all her stuff. I am a single mom of two and trying to move us in while keeping my mama's stuff has been draining. 🙄 I was the healthiest I'd ever been when I bought my house and I now have Fibromyalgia and struggle to get through the day. I definitely think it's related.
Try to stake out some space that is all yours- even a basement or garage. It might help.
Don't rule out leaving.
I also have fibromyalgia and it came about when I moved in with my son and his wife and my pretty young grandson I moved in to help them out but I didn't have any of my things so I absolutely changed my bedroom twice to get it where I really at least felt good when I went in there cuz I was in bed a lot for quite a while just hurt so bad you know and didn't feel good your mental health gets really down and depressed when you're in pain I'm a much better place now that I was when I was 54 and now I'm 71 I just move out of my not small but nice apartment of 9 years that live with my brother I'm originally to take care of his very sick life with Parkinson's I was her 24-hour caregiver with people who would come and stay with her so I can get out once that part got a little bit depressing although I definitely wanted to be there... I'm still here with him that was part of the reason for moving in it was hard to give up my apartment I loved it in that it was very calming and everything you said I used and everybody came into my apartment then this feels so homey so comfortable well that's the way I like it 💜..inviting .. well my girls are like a lot of life so it's all very nice in here and people love coming over here and we have get togethers the ladies and I from our Bible study my brother is my pastor by the way and he is the most loved person because he's kind and generous gentle and even a little bit funny and people just have responded to him since he was 3 years old he has a pool they just come to him we don't have a picture but we had the best church because people there love each other genuinely I think it's because the pastor is that way but I'm not getting on my religion here no apologies but anyway I do believe that I think LIGHT is the most important thing!! I love color my love lights and I love cozy blankets and pillows but light is by far the most important thing I did not realize how much it affects your mental health my brother has a nice home we decorate about the same but he has a beautiful sunroom, with two of the walls are all glass and furniture is in an I would call it avocado green so it has the color of the outside coming in he has a beautiful pool and backyard so you can just sit there without being out in the heat and you can enjoy the outside cuz you know comes into those glass windows and I love sitting out there I call that my living room so when I have friends over we sit in the sunroom rather than what he would call his den...which is where the front door is....he lost his wife of 45 years 1.5 yes ago...I've tried to get all her clothes and personal items out (per his request)... I am slowly trying to "update" colors, new furniture and definitely real and fake plants and greenery .. My sister in law overly decorated EVERY SINGLE WALL...NO MATTER HOW SMALL...she also used family photos alot....she has lots of pictures that no one keeps and her daughter is not interested in any of photos or furniture pieces.... except for one piece...which I wanted to keep...as I took my sister in law shopping and talked her into buying. She and I liked a lot of the same things... I've always helped her and my own sister decorate down thru the years! Anyway color, plants, LIGHT, and the feelings of coziness is BEST for all people...even those who think rigid and all white, and clean lines is there tastes...I think most of those people are cold and calculating and indifferent.. IMHO...
You are completely spot on....
Every single thing is spot on! I've been decorating my house and leaning towards everything good mentioned in the video because I tend to have anxiety. So informative!
I have had very serious depressions, but I Always loved decorating. My home is very clean, spacious and elegant and all in antracite and white. I remember one of my best mood improvements was when my friend where finally doing the dishes and I remembered how beautiful my home was and how much Potential it had. However, it was November and I felt really alone and "cold" inside, even when the room temperature was ok. Then I started to add only a few twigs and branches from the garden and a little light chain. This was so beautiful, warm and cozy that I decorated my hole home in the following weeks and recoverd much more quickly:) in some way my home is always a mirror of my soul
I have PTSD and as I have set up my home, I have discovered each and every point you have made. Just last week I hung a picture I really liked and discovered it caused anxiety. I realized it was the rectangular shape. I dug around in my picture stash and found an oval picture and hung that. Much better! I avoid vertical blinds...to stressful! And go with drapes. Only 2 mirrors in the house...full length behind a door, and a round one above bathroom sink. The home I got is south facing so lots of natural light. Paint colors were a challenge. I picked the palest on the color strip and some rooms cool colors, some warm. In my living room I discovered the only combo that would NOT cause anxiety was to have 3 walls in a warm palette with a feature wall in a cool palette. Being a larger room, having all 4 walls dedicated to one or the other was too overwhelming even though the shade was the palest possible.
Wow! Your presentation was outstanding! Insights and recommendations based on research and experience, pulled together in a clear manner with beautiful, well-chosen visual- and done with elegance, poise, style, and generosity. Well done, and thank you.
Initially, I wondered what the heck I had clicked on. Then, I thought how much I love the professionalism of this video. ☺️
My thoughts exactly!…. Beautifully presented!
I agree! Her Presence is amazing! very refreshing indeed!
Spot on advice about decor: good advice about clutter and mess. Also, about avoiding colors and shapes and styles that produce anxiety and stressful reactions. Personally I like cozy, warm, and inviting decor and color schemes, but not too loud on the color palette with bright shades used as accents such as earth tones. I also like plants in my home space.
You have opened a new window for me!!! So happy that there are so many helpful recommendations when it comes to redecorating my home!!💕💕
Well done. I'm cleaning house today and there's a lot of white which gets dirty easy but when clean it looks great. When you get into it and don't think about it cleaning is a good mood booster.
Absolutely! You put on your favorite cleaning music (Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell) and go to town!
Congratulations on such an intelligent and useful design video. So helpful during these challenging covid times. Thank you. ❤️🕊️
First time watching one of your videos. We just bought our first home in June and I have been so excited to decorate on a budget. We both deal with bad anxiety and I have never thought about setting up the home in a way to help soothe that. Wonderful video and you are lovely 💕
I've recently been tasked to decorate our new family home and I'm proud to say that these are all tips I've utilised! Don't brush it off, you spend so much time in your home, why not make it a beautiful space that you can enjoy? Having a visually pleasing home has been such a joy and I'd recommend everyone to try it out
I must say, my dad was an architect and this video is well researched and a lot of this information is spot on
A topic I find most interesting! Thank you so much! Having suffered from a mild depression myself I can easily see the validity of your points. When we moved into our current house everything felt dark and the view of the outside was very restricted. So we had more windows installed and the veranda's dark brown wooden roof painted white etc. It at once made a difference.
Thank you for this! Home ambiance really impacts me. I ordered a Seasonal Affective Disorder light, and it was so stark it made me feel awful. Things that make a big difference to me, in addition to those mentioned in the video:
-candles, rock salt lights and mini lights. really feels cozy
-Nice hand-written labels on spice jars on display
-Bulk items in jars (nuts, seeds, flour, beans, rice, dried fruit, etc) on display.
-Organized cupboards. Even though they are out of sight, it can be stressful opening up to a mess
-Clothes organized Marie Kondo fashion - all clothes in drawers up on end (not stacked on top of each other)
-Functional organization - key/sunglasses hooks by the door. Bedroom hooks for items used often
-fireplace, especially wood burning, or one that looks real (I had a propane fireplace that looked totally real)
-no reflection of TV on windows (close the curtains) - I keep seeing movement on the windows at night
-Favourite books on display
-Favourite items on display... mugs!
-Family photos on the wall
-Outdoor space I love (plants, good furniture)
Basically following Hygge and Marie Kondo principles is helpful!
I really enjoy your videos. You have a genuine mission to "help inform" not only from a purely style perspective, but also a "wholeness style perspective" that really captures and highlights the connection between a human being's relationship to their surroundings, and the effects of that. Thank you and very best wishes to you.
I suffer from periods of depression and anxiety and I use a lot of these things. One thing I learned is, that you shouldn't do big projects, when you're depressed. It grows overwhelming so quickly. Do the small things, like you said, one drawer at a time. And by fresh flowers. A bouquet of fresh flowers, no matter how inexpensive it is, always cheers me up.
If you have trader joe's nearby, it is the best for fresh flowers. Go in the morning for the best selection!
Thank you for discouraging the gray palette. I’m looking at homes and seeing all these remodels that focus on gray, wondering who thinks that’s a good choice?
It can be when blended into shades,just need to be selective and not go overboard.
I agree GREY.. shudder or BEIGE .... or even worse GREYIGE hahahaha
I love colors, I use white but where I have my plants which is living room and bathroom. My kitchen and entryway are yellow. Love it!!
My whole house was painted a light grey when we bought it…first job was to paint everything a warm white. It looked so much bigger and welcoming instantly
It seems like stagers are encouraging gray. All the main areas of my house are pale grey, my bedroom is a weird yellow-tan, and my guest room is Navajo White. My old rental was painted Navajo White in 1991. How is this color still a thing??
Oh my goodness Thank you so much for this!!! I absolutely get overwhelmed sometimes even depressed because I'm not that great at decorating but I want to put out what makes me happy but according to the latest and greatest and what's up to date now I feel like I'm always trying to catch up... I just want to decorate the way it makes me happy! I have slowly been working my way through cleaning areas I have not tackled my closet in way too many years but I have gotten to other areas of my house that I have in this video just energized me Thank you so much for bringing this truth to many of us
This for me was the best video I’ve seen on RUclips. Thank you for being so health conscious and focused on wellbeing!
WOW. I needed this video! I'm so glad RUclips suggested it to me ahah
I have anxiety and I've been dealing with anxiety/depressive state for many years now. I lived 4-5 years in a too small half basement because I didn't have the choice. It was kinda depressing. Now I live in a beautiful house with my boyfriend and I chose to change my room completely. Changed from cream/red to white and pastels (particularly light pink because I LOVE IT and denied it for too long because it was "too girly" - yah, I know). But I didn't have a lot of money to change everything, didn't have the time to declutter... basically I was living in an empty but messy room.
I recently began to tidy my room and buying some new things to add to my decor. OMG IT FEELS SO GREAT!!! I throw away/donated a lot of stuff, I bought some boxes to stop living with old cardboards, and I reduced the number of things used as decoration and focused on just a few things here and there. Mind blowing.
Honestly, my mental health improved by just doing this. You just earned a subscriber :)
I think something that might be easy for helping with feelings of sadness or anxiety is the positioning of your furniture to be able to look outside. No matter what the view, I have my desk in the office right in front of the window.. I think looking outside and seeing people and activity as well as a view is really important, especially right now. Obviously the sunlight is important too.
I never knew I needed someone like you in my life, thank you Posh Pennies, tick, tick, tick! BTW my husband is a hoarder so I've given him a whole room to himself to hoard away behind a closed door, whilst I keep the rest of the home calm. Your insights are so soothing, thank you PP.