We caught up with Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi,who shared how the spaces we live in quietly shape our wellbeing.
“We talk a lot about self-care, especially at the start of the year, but far less about the environment we practise it in. And yet, the space you wake up in, work from and wind down in every day plays a huge role in how calm, energised – or overwhelmed – you feel.
“Your home isn’t just a backdrop to life. It actively influences your mood, sleep and stress levels. Done well, it can support wellbeing almost without you noticing. Done badly, it can quietly drain you.
“More research and lived experience now point to the same conclusion: from light levels and colour choices to clutter and privacy, our surroundings affect how the brain processes stress, rest and stimulation. Small design decisions really do add up.”
The homes that help us feel better
Natural light isn’t a ‘nice to have’
Daylight affects everything from sleep quality and energy levels to mood and concentration. Homes that maximise natural light – whether through layout, lighter finishes or sheer window treatments – tend to feel calmer and more uplifting. Dark, shadowy spaces, on the other hand, can make even a tidy room feel heavy.
Simple fix: keep window dressings light, reflect daylight with mirrors, and avoid blocking windows with bulky furniture.
Calm comes from cohesion, not minimalism
You don’t need to live in a beige box to feel relaxed. Calm interiors are about cohesion – a limited colour palette, materials that work together, and fewer visual interruptions.
When everything in a room is competing for attention, the brain never fully switches off. Colour plays a bigger role here than many people realise. Cooler tones such as blues and greens are widely associated with calm and emotional balance, while softer warm shades can lift mood when used thoughtfully. High-contrast schemes and too many competing colours can have the opposite effect, creating subtle mental fatigue.
Simple fix: repeat tones and textures across a space rather than introducing something new in every corner.
Nature works – even in small doses
Plants, timber, stone and woven textures help soften interiors and make spaces feel more grounding. This connection to nature – often referred to as biophilic design – has been shown to reduce stress and improve focus, even when it’s subtle.
Simple fix: introduce one natural element per room, whether that’s a plant, a wooden side table or linen cushions.
When homes start to undermine wellbeing
Visual clutter is mental clutter
A home that’s constantly messy or overfilled doesn’t just look chaotic – it keeps the mind in a low-level state of alert. Piles of “stuff” represent unfinished tasks, and even when you’re not consciously thinking about them, your brain continues to process the visual noise.
Honest truth: this isn’t about being tidy for guests. It’s about giving your brain fewer things to manage so it can properly rest.
Over-designed spaces can feel exhausting
Bold interiors can be brilliant, but there’s a fine line between characterful and overstimulating. Too many patterns, harsh lighting or high-contrast finishes can make a space feel busy rather than cosy – especially in rooms meant for rest.
Simple fix: balance statement pieces with quieter areas for the eye to land.
Noise, privacy and blurred boundaries matter more than we think
Open-plan living looks great, but without thought to acoustics and retreat spaces, it can feel draining. Constant background noise, nowhere to escape, and blurred boundaries between work and rest all add to daily stress – particularly as more people now work from home.
Creating even a small retreat space – a reading chair by a window, a quiet corner with soft lighting, or a screen-free spot to sit and unwind – can make a noticeable difference, giving the mind somewhere to decompress.
The shift away from ‘trends’
There’s a growing move away from trend-led interiors towards homes that feel more personal, slower and emotionally supportive. Instead of asking “Is this on trend?”, people are increasingly asking, “Does this make me feel good?”
Wellbeing-led interiors aren’t about perfection. They’re about:
- spaces that adapt to real life
- rooms that feel restorative, not performative
- homes that support how people actually live now
Emotional wellbeing at home also isn’t just about calm and quiet. Homes that encourage connection – shared meals, conversation and time spent together – play an important role in happiness too.
