12 home decor tips for a mental health boost

What do funeral parlors, prison cells and courtrooms all have in common? They use color, texture, lighting and room layout to evoke particular emotional responses from their occupants. And it works.

Although it's a far less extreme — and solemn — example of this, the interior design and decor of a home can also influence mood, emotions and overall mental health of its habitants.

Prioritize emotional safety

"The overall feeling of a space — how it's organized, how clean it is, how comfortable it feels, how personal you make it — all these things can put you at ease and affect how safe you feel in an environment," said interior designer Kristen Fiore. "When you're having mental health struggles or are triggered, you want a place that feels safe and comfortable to be who you are."

Surround yourself with friendly faces, nature

"Maybe you want an abundance of frames filled with family members, because surrounding yourself with images of loved ones will make you feel happy and less alone," said interior designer Michal Rubin.

According to Amber Dunford, a design psychologist and style director at Overstock.com, potted herbs are another practical addition, and according to a few studies, keeping fake plants — or even just pictures of trees and other greenery — can also make a space feel more calming and reduce stress levels.

Base colors on your ideal energy level

"When contrasting colors are used — especially those with more warmth and saturation — the more energizing [a room] feels," said Dunford. "Colors with less variation will give you the opposite effect, creating a more serene and quiet atmosphere — which is especially true for cooler colors."

Incorporate visible wood grain

"Wood grain has been shown to have a positive impact on lowering our stress levels, while also increasing our well-being and performance levels," said Dunford. "This makes a good case for working visible wood grain into your home design."

You can also achieve that look artificially, using something like wood veneers.

Factor in flow

"Lines and curves create visual movement, so experiment with your space, taking your preferred traffic patterns and focal points into consideration," said Noel Gatts, interior designer and HGTV personality. "Try pulling some furniture pieces away from the wall to create comfortable gathering areas and more open flow."

Remember your pets

"Having a chair or bench in an office space for your pet to hang out with you offers calmness when working," said interior designer Debbe Daley. The ability to be able to take a break, regroup and spend some petting time with your furry friend significantly assists in the daily stresses of working from home."

Amplify natural light

"A quick fix for spaces with limited space or lacking natural light, is to place mirrors on walls across from windows," Dunford said. "The light will reflect the view and make your space appear brighter and larger."

You can also "choose lighter paint colors that reflect light, rather than darker colors that absorb it," said interior designer Joshua Smith.

Use artificial light with purpose

"If natural light is scarce, look for bulbs that mimic daylight and choose translucent shades to amplify the light," said Gatts.

Soften the space with textures

"We're tactile creatures and respond well to soft fabrics and textiles," Dunford explains. "Using a variety of textures in your space will soften architecture and dampen sound, so adding throws, pillows, rugs or curtains to a space helps it feel cozy, calm and inviting."

Dabble in dappled lighting

Lighting can also make a big difference. "Humans prefer to be under dappled lighting, which is the same light you might experience when the sun shines through leaves on a tree," Dunford says. "Incorporating elements that replicate this into your home, such as basket-weave light pendants or lamps can create the same glow as the dappled lighting you'd find in nature."

Don't overthink

At the end of the day, these tips aren't rules — they're just ideas the pros (and even some science!) have found to be beneficial for boosting mood and supporting well-being through design and decor. Let them inspire you, not control you.