Design is something that would always give you a sense of fulfillment. Its aesthetic value defines you and reflects upon your personality too. We understand how designing your dream home and working out the little details is a very cherished and thrilling experience for you, and to make that experience long lasting and fruitful, we also need to consider the well-being of the place.
Imagine walking into a space and having to feel a certain way..
Don’t some places have a very rejuvenating effect on you while other spaces just bring down your energy? That’s the power that design has on our perception, which ultimately impacts your health, mood, psyche and well being.
Yet we still wonder why people still do not invest much into it, especially when one spends much of their time within the comforting space they call home. Combining all the goodness into one wholesome unit, your home must provide you an environment that is healthy and nourishing and resourceful.
There are plenty of easy fixes if you’re thinking of re-decorating and re-modeling your interiors that would really yield you fruitful results. For example: better air quality, more naturally lit spaces, abundance of greenery and more functional and open spaces can directly affect the way you feel within a space and help you gravitate towards a more productive environment.
Ready for the breakdown? Follow on!
Sustainable Materials
(Penthouse private balcony, designed by: Latitude Design Sdn Bhd)
It is crucial to get your fundamentals right before you dwell into the nitty-gritty of things. Making sure that you use materials that are good for you and for the environment is the most important step in achieving this goal. With VOCs increasing and indoor air Quality decreasing, making use of greener and cleaner materials is highly recommended.
One must steer clear of asbestos and lead related construction materials since they are toxic and can cause increase the likeliness of cancer and other lung related problems. Be careful while choosing the type of paint too, since these can also contain VOCs emitting gasses. One must also ensure that there is ample natural cross-ventilation in your home, irrespective of the cooling and heating systems installed. Making less use of energy and more use of nature would transform your space towards a positive outcome.
The Color Therapy
(Colorful kids play room, designed by: Latitude Design Sdn Bhd)
This might catch you by surprise but each color has a deeper role to play with the psychology of your brains and helps you perceive things differently. Both Science and Feng Shui define Colors as elements that add a pop to your spaces but are as quintessential as water or air. Red, for instance, can instantly lift us up and give us a sudden rush of energy. Coming with the highest wavelength, Red is a striking color of the palette and has the same kind of effect in generating stimuli.
Yellow stands for merriment and just the usual cheer! And that is exactly what a hint of this color does to you. Unlike yellow and red, Blue and White tone you down and wrap you up in a serene aura. It relaxes the mind and the body and brings out the best in you.
The trick with bright colors is to not overdo it. Choose colors that would play with different moods and maintain a harmonious environment. You wouldn’t want to end up in a bedroom with four red walls, which could drive you towards the edge. Use these colors as decorative accents in spaces that you’d really want to bring out and watch their effect on you unravel.
With the wide variety of colors, it can get overwhelming to pick the perfect color palette for your home. Lucky for you, interior designers are experts at this and have a trained eye for colors, you can always contact us if you require any further consultation.
Botanical Inspiration
(Japanese rock garden on a rooftop terrace facing the city skyline, designed by: Latitude Design Sdn Bhd)
Who isn’t aware of the goodness that plants bring to our lives? They’re nature’s gift to mankind and are packed with benefits for us to reap. Indoor plants require minimal care and in return, give us lots of freshness to keep us healthy by clearing up the air and adding a vibe which is unparalleled. Even Feng Shui says that the most significant basis for achieving health in your home is by means of cleaner air and one must follow it to achieve deeper levels of health!
The Bamboo Palm and the Weeping Fig are two plants that are known for the amount of indoor air they can purify. They are solely responsible for changing your micro-climate and also make for beautiful accessories to decorate your home with. Spider Plants are excellent repellants of formal-dehyde particles, which are one of the leading causes of skin cancer. This stunning species is a sought after decor element that you can use in the nooks and crannies of mundane corners of your home to brighten things up.
Mums and Gerbera Daisies, though exotic looking, are available throughout the year. Known for their beautiful outlook, they are full of goodwill. Clearing up some of the most harmful components of VOCs, these species combine beauty and wellness.
Light It Up
(Bedroom interior bathed in natural sunlight, designed by: Latitude Design Sdn Bhd)
You can never get enough of the natural sunlight around you. The northern diffused light is such a pleasing and relaxing element to add to your spaces. Large windows sieving sunlight adds a dreamy layer to your space and helps you wake up feeling fresh and energetic.
Sunlight is packed with Vitamin D and is a brilliant cure for bones that feel tired. One must soak up that vitamin D for a more on-the-go feel to your lifestyle. Even if you can’t get enough natural sun-light into your home, add artificial lighting to enhance the volume of your space. This would auto-matically make the space look bigger and also have a positive effect on your state of mind.
For ardent Feng Shui believers, light is the most important source of nutrition and it is believed that the only color that a home needs is that of ‘light.’ It is only once you have the basic principles of design established would other tips fall into place.
Optimizing Space & Functionality
(Clean and effective use of space layout and materials for a 2 story bungalow, designed by: Latitude Design Sdn Bhd)
While choosing furniture might be fun, it’s important to note that the scale-ability and functionality of these bespoke pieces have a lot to contribute to your well-being and health. Furniture must always complement the size of the space and its raw materials must be in sync too! Experts say that wooden furniture is somehow linked towards personal growth. Wood adds ample amount of warmth to a space and can instantly turn it around.
Arrangement of furniture is highly important too. Creating functionality with the most ideal layouts can create feelings of intimacy and closeness by arranging them in close ‘U’ shapes and can also turn spaces into more open ones by spacing the furniture units out when need be. This elevates the ambiance of a space and creates a fulfilled environment for you to be in. Psychologically, more open spaces that are free of fixtures, can help you think more freely and boost your well-being.
Do not clutter your spaces with unnecessary furniture and decor elements as that would always make you feel agitated. Cleaner interiors will keep you sharp and crisp. Another easy fix that would instantly help you breathe better is high ceilings! This easy hack will surely give your mind the illusion of volume without really doing much. Another strong belief of Feng Shui is the way clutter sucks energy out of you and bounces it in all directions, disorienting you. That is another reason for you to up your game and get rid of any existing mess around you!
Hope you took notes of all the great tips. We are always looking to know and share your stories, drop us an email if you think you have any personal tricks that have worked for you!
Looking to renovate your new or existing home and not sure where to start?
Book a free consultation call or email us your project inquiries for further consultation on your project, we are dedicated to transforming your living into your ideal space.
