Creating a Calming Space: Small Changes That Support Mental Health

Feeling blue and just want to chill?

It can be difficult to find a calm place in your mind when your living and working spaces are not helping. The environment you spend your life in has a huge impact on mental wellbeing and mental health in general.

Yet most people do not take the time to consider how their surroundings impact mood, stress levels and overall mental health.

The good news is that simple changes to a living space can make all the difference. From colour psychology to furniture layout and arrangement, there are a number of small things you can do to create a calming environment.

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

• Why the Environment Matters for Mental Health
• The Role of Furniture and Layout
• Colour Psychology That Actually Works
• Natural Elements that Reduce Stress
• Quick Wins for a Calmer Space

Why the Environment Matters for Mental Health

Mental health is a growing concern the world over. Research by NAMI shows 23.4% of U.S. adults suffered with some form of mental illness in 2024. That’s over 61 million Americans living with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

One thing most people don’t realise is that the physical environment can have a direct impact on someone’s feelings. An untidy, dark room increases stress and anxiety levels. A bright, open space can have the opposite effect.

Research has shown that interior design factors like lighting, colour, and spatial layout all have a demonstrable effect on mood and behaviour. This is not some airy-fairy theory. This is backed up by science.

And the best part about it is that interior changes are not limited to professionals and the well-off. Anyone can make changes to the environment around them.

It does not have to mean a complete re-design. Small adjustments to what’s already there can have an instant and direct impact on mental wellbeing.

The Role of Furniture and Layout

This is one of the most important factors when it comes to creating a calming space. Furniture is not just about how a space looks.

It is about how the space functions and feels. The arrangement of furniture within a space can influence movement patterns as well as a person’s feeling of relaxation and ease. Poor furniture placement can leave someone feeling chaotic and overwhelmed, while good arrangement creates a sense of flow and calm.

When selecting furniture for mental health purposes, comfort should be the first priority. Comfortable and supportive seating arrangements reduce physical tension which directly translates to someone’s mental state. In fact, recent research in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications found that of all the interior design factors studied, only furniture was a significant factor in feelings of loneliness as well as general mental health.

Pretty significant right?

Here are some quick tips for furniture arrangement:

• Create clear pathways through every room
• Position seating areas to encourage communication and interaction
• Do not block natural light sources
• Choose furniture that is comfortable and supportive

Balance is key. The aim is not to create a room that feels over-crowded or cluttered. But at the same time, the room should not feel barren and empty. Somewhere in the middle is the sweet spot.

Colour Psychology that Actually Works

Colour choice is another important factor in the design and arrangement of a calming space.

Colours have a psychological impact on people and these effects are based on well-researched colour psychology principles. Interior designers have known this for decades.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Blue and green are calming. These colours have a low heart rate and blood pressure reducing effect, which makes them ideal for living and sleeping areas.
• Yellow is uplifting and energising, but too much can be overwhelming. Best used as an accent.
• Red increases heart rate and energy levels. Best avoided in bedrooms and other places of relaxation. Great for workout rooms or entertainment areas.
• Neutral base colours like beige, grey, and white can make a space feel larger and more open. Combine with more calming colours for accents.

Choosing the right colours for the space and the use it is intended for is key. A home office will require a different palette than a bedroom.

Natural Elements that Reduce Stress

Biophilic design is one of the simplest ways to create a calming space.

Biophilic design is based on the idea that humans have an innate connection to nature and that honouring that connection within our living and working spaces can improve stress and wellbeing.

Research from Texas A&M University found that having plants within a space improved concentration and memory, as well as lowering stress levels. Plants are natural air purifiers too. They increase oxygen levels and help to eliminate toxins in the air.

Plants are great but they are by no means the only natural element that can help.

Here are some other great ideas for using natural elements to create a calming space:

• Wood furniture and natural accents
• Stone or bamboo decorative pieces
• Water features like tabletop fountains
• Natural fibre textiles like cotton and linen

Views of the natural world through windows can also be helpful. Research has shown that hospital patients who had greenery views reported lower stress and anxiety levels than those with no window views.

Quick Wins for a Calmer Space

Not everyone has the time or budget for a full home makeover. Don’t panic.

Even small changes can have a huge impact and the following quick wins can all be done with very little effort:

• Declutter, ruthlessly. Cluttered spaces make for cluttered minds. Donate or throw away anything that doesn’t have a purpose or bring joy.
• Maximise natural light. Draw curtains and blinds during the day to let in as much natural light as possible. Place mirrors strategically to bounce light into darker corners.
• Add soft textures. Throw blankets, cushions, and rugs create warmth and coziness, inviting a sense of comfort.
• Create zones for specific activities. Having separate spaces for work, relaxation and other activities allows the brain to compartmentalise different activities.
• Keep technology out of the bedroom. The bedroom should only be for sleep and relaxation. Screens and other tech have a negative effect on both.

Each of the changes listed above can be done in a single afternoon. All of them working together create a living environment that can have a direct impact on someone’s mental wellbeing.

The Importance of Personal Touch

And here’s another thing people often overlook:

Generic catalogue-look rooms might be impressive to friends and family. But they do not create a sense of belonging.

Personal items, photos, artwork, and other meaningful objects make a space feel more like home. This sense of belonging and emotional connection is essential for mental health and wellbeing.

The aim is not perfection but the creation of an environment that feels safe, comfortable, and supportive of mental wellbeing.

Bringing it all Together

Creating a calming space is not as difficult as it might seem. The important elements are really quite simple:

• Furniture should be comfortable and arranged for good flow
• Colours should be chosen with the effects on mood in mind
• Natural elements should be incorporated where possible
• Clutter should be removed and spaces should be kept organised
• Personal touches are a must to create a sense of belonging

Mental health matters, and the space where a person lives and spends their time has a direct impact on their mental wellbeing.

By making small and intentional changes to the environment around them, everyone can create a living and working space that actively supports mental wellbeing. It doesn’t take much money or professional assistance.

Start small. Pick one room. Tweak a few things and see how you feel. If something makes a difference, make it permanent.

The environment you live and work in can have a direct impact on your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Make sure it’s working in your favour, rather than against you.