The Psychology of Space: How Interior Design Affects Mood and Productivity

Ever walk into a space and instantly want to walk back out?

It could be the clutter, the moody colours, or the mind-bending décor. It just feels uncomfortable. 

What about heading to work?

A bright, open-air office is inviting and invigorating. You can think and design there, right? 

But then there’s that other employee that has so much stuff in their office that you cannot seem to focus on project objectives. That’s where you do not want to be.

Spaces may not have feelings. They do play a role in your psychology, though. A space’s design, layout, and overall feeling can directly impact what people do within that space, too. 

Consider How Colour Influences Your Thoughts 

One of the most common examples of the psychology of space has to do with colour. 

Think about this. A yellow-walled kitchen may seem bright and sunny, a welcoming space. Yet, research indicates that people tend to have more arguments in a kitchen with this type of colour scheme (red is not any better). 

Design is more than just making things work together. You have to feel that space. You want people who walk into that space to really get the vibe you’re trying to create. 

Let’s talk about feelings. In this form of psychology, though, you don’t have to deal with therapists and long couches asking intimate questions.

Think about the psychology of the space. That defines how room and its features interacts with and makes a person feel. The problem is people are all different. What impacts a person in one way may have a very different impact on someone else. The best you can do, then, is to learn as much as possible about interior design’s impact on moods and productivity.

Here's your objective. Get an idea of how design impacts psychology. When you use this, you get to manipulate the minds of those who step foot into the space you create.

Or, it may help them work more efficiently and with fewer arguments. In all cases, you win.

Learn How Interior Design Psychology Plays a Role in Your Space

Interior design psychology focuses on how designers can impact the mood of a space with the colour, material, and layout of the space they create. The interior design of a room is directly impacted by what is within that space. It can impact mood and productivity. Consider some of the ways this can impact the functionality of the space you are creating.

The psychological effect of interior design can play a role in the way people think, act, and feel within a space. It’s not mind control, but it is a powerful skill to have as a designer. 

Designers must understand the objective within the space and then utilize color, materials, and layouts to achieve those objectives. Check out these steps.

• A retail location wants to design a space that keeps patrons there longer.

• A bedroom should have a calming, soothing feel to ease a person into sleep.

• To increase productivity, a workplace may include bright colours and more natural light. 

• A coffee shop may wish to create a dramatic feel to keep patrons longer, using darker colours and comfortable seating. 

• A hotel may incorporate luxurious elements and sophisticated design to encourage people to book again.

How do you do this? Here's the step-by-step you need: colour, layout, and lighting are the starting point.

How Color Influences Mood and Productivity

Research has been done many times to document how colour impacts the way a person feels. Colour is perhaps the most impactful of all psychological design efforts. You need to learn how certain colours evoke various emotions and feelings. Consider these examples:

• Warm colours create energy within a space. Think red, orange, and yellow. 

• Cool colours aid in calming. This includes colours like greens, blues, and purple.

• Versatile colours that evoke fewer emotions, including neutrals. That may be grey, white, or beige. 

Along with this comes the impact of colour schemes. Colour schemes focus on the way people are influenced not just by one colour but by blocks of colour when used together. Consider the following common colour schemes and the impact they tend to have on interior design.

• Monochromatic colour schemes: This is the use of various shades and tints of the same colour. These are various tones of colours but the same basic colour. Monochromatic colour schemes create harmonious and calming effects on those within the space.

• Complementary colour schemes: This method uses colours that are located opposite of each other on the colour wheel. These add energy and vitality to a space. Consider the vibrant, bright, opposite colours in a space.

• Analogous colour scheme: This type of colour scheme incorporates colours next to each other on the colour wheel. It creates a relaxing feel and feels cohesive and natural.

• Triadic colour scheme: This method uses three colours on the colour wheel, evenly spaced apart. When done well, this creates a balanced look. It is also quite lively and often natural.

The use of lighting is critical in creating a space that fits any need. For a productive environment, use colours that energize. For a calming space, choose hues that relax. Some colours offer better creative energy within a room. Others are very neutral and have less of an overall impact on the space.

The Role of Lighting in Interior Design Psychology 

Every see a movie where someone steps into a room and pulls open the drapes? Instant natural light. Everyone is suddenly incredibly motivated and focused. It’s time to work.

Light matters. Consider how you can use light to manipulate your next design.

You are in a workspace where the main lights are off. You can see just fine. Yet, you reach for the switch to turn the bigger, more powerful lights on. Why is that? Light energizes. It helps to stimulate the brain and motivate the senses. Of course, you know that, in actuality, light is not actually making you work harder. Yet, its presence makes a big difference.

Natural light is by far the most beneficial source of light. It’s good for your health and your brain’s function. When there is ample natural light present, you’ll notice a sense of energizing and positive mood. 

The problem with natural light is that it’s hard to control and maintain throughout the day. That is why artificial light, which resembles natural light as best as possible, can be a critical investment. 

Like colours, various levels of light produce different hues and effects. The brightest light enhances productivity within a space. It ensures that a person is alert and focused on what is happening. By contrast, a dim light is soothing and relaxing, and it lulls a person to sleep. It is more intimate and cosy. 

Bright light is critical to productivity in a workspace. In a fine-dining restaurant, lower light levels create more sensual spaces. 

How the Floor Plan of a Location Impacts the Way a Person Feels Within It

Have you tripped lately and become frustrated with the way a space was laid out? What about those super crowded areas that make it impossible to navigate. Instant frustration and crowding. You’re uncomfortable. So are others.

Another important psychological factor in interior design is the floor plan within a space. How can placing a piece of furniture one way influence how a person feels? Try it out, and you’ll see what the point is.

An ill-placed piece of furniture is uncomfortable. It limits the movement of the room. It may even be distracting for the mind. However, a space that’s laid out well flows well. It helps people move through the space effectively. 

Clutter is a good example of how this works. The more clutter in a space, the more anxious a person feels. It’s a natural feeling and one that can quickly overwhelm those within that space. Consider an office space. If there are numerous elements on the desk, various pieces of furniture strewn around, and lots of décor, it’s hard to focus. Cleaning off the desk and creating an open space is nearly representative of what happens in your mind. It’s clear, focused, and ready to work.

However, there are limitations to this as well. For some, a space that is too empty and minimalistic is not comfortable at all. It feels constrained, and it may even make it less enjoyable to be in that room.

An alternative that is often preferred is the method of Feng Shui. This design principle is not necessarily minimalistic. However, it is a practice that focuses on the flow of energy through a space. By utilizing these principles, it may be possible to create a more balanced and positive atmosphere. It gets rid of that frustration and anxiety of clutter. At the same time, it creates more balance and support throughout the space.

The Role of Nature in Spaces 

Another component that can impact productivity and mood is nature. Consider a day when you are frustrated. You go for a walk. The sunlight helps lift your mood. The fresh air speaks to you. It’s mind-clearing. 

Within a space, it’s not possible to stuff a lot of nature into the area. However, by incorporating natural elements, you can bring some of the nature-created peace into your day. There are various strategies for doing this. 

Incorporate plants into a residential or commercial space. Plants can help to break up the look of routine manmade products. They introduce a bit of natural life and light into the space. To add a pop of colour, select plants that have blooms. That can create more visual interest and draw attention toward that area.

Greenery is great, but not the only way to bring nature into the space. We already mentioned the importance of using sunlight. In addition to this, more natural products should be incorporated. A fountain with moving water can help to stimulate relaxing feelings. Placing wood surfaces in a space helps to create a sense of grounding. It can also enhance the organic, natural elements people are attracted to just naturally. 

The use of nature in a space helps to reduce stress. It directly lifts moods as well. Using more plants, for example, is a very easy way to turn a boring office or classroom into a living space. They can help to make a retail establishment more relaxing and inviting than cement floors and bright lights.

The Inclusion of Texture and Materials Into Design

Yet another way that interior design psychology can be better controlled is through the use of various textures. Texture creates an alluring feel. Consider a few examples.

The use of soft textures, such as the inclusion of fabrics, can help to add a layer of coziness and relaxation to a space. That works well in residential spaces such as living rooms and bedrooms. It’s ideal for a hotel room.

Alternatively, glass, metals, and cement are more strict and hard. It can make a space less personable. That can work well in some areas, including hospitals, medical centers, office spaces, and research labs. A blend of wood and stone, or other natural elements, can help to create a sense of grounding within the space as well. That works better for restaurants and offices where you may be meeting with customers and clients.

Making the Decision to Incorporate Interior Design Psychology

As an interior designer or architect, your objective is to create a space that works for the objectives you have. At the same time, you must consider these factors carefully. Even if you do not intentionally use these elements, they will impact the way the space feels and operates.

In a world where controlling emotions and managing productivity is so critical, the inclusion of any of these tactics and methods is often seen as quite important and valuable. 

Think about the psychological impact of design choices on your next project. Consider color schemes and the layout of furniture and how that makes a space feel to you and those within it. When you master these elements, you gain the ability to create a space that is efficient, productive, and fitting for the objectives that will take place there. 

Interior design psychology is a fascinating area of science. And it can change from one area to the next. Yet, utilizing various methods like these allows the designer to remain in control over moods, feelings, and energy levels within that space. 

You may have gone to school to be an architect. What you didn’t know is that you’re about to influence people on a more personal level through psychology. Pretty impressive, right?