Acing the Art of Cozy in Your Home Interiors
Have you ever walked into a room and felt immediately wrapped in a warm embrace? Perhaps the room contained comfortable furniture that inspired rest and relaxation. Maybe it contained colors that made you feel like you had found a refuge. Or perhaps the room was clean and filled with warm rays of sunlight. These sensations are palpable reminders that home interiors are about so much more than aesthetics. As found in a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, there is a vital link between our environment—the architecture and interior design that surrounds us—and our mental health and psychological well-being. “Cozy” isn’t just a look in a magazine; it’s very much a state to be aspired to if we wish to equate our homes with a sense of peace and happiness.
Curved Lines
A study published in the journal PNAS has found that curvilinear rather than rectilinear spaces are more likely to be judged as beautiful and pleasant—owing in no small part to the presence of curved shapes in nature. Neuroanatomically, when people judge the beauty of curved spaces, they show an increase in activity in parts of the brain associated with rewards and emotion. In contrast, being in rectilinear spaces does not produce the same result. Curved lines can be present in the architectural shape of a constructed space, but they can also be integrated into a home through furniture such as sofas, chairs, tables, and storage furniture. For instance, when you are designing a sofa, you can opt for curved armrests and backrests, or slightly rounded backrests.
Classic Designs
Ever heard of the “grandpa chic” trend? It taps into the idea that traditional, antique, and vintage-style pieces elevate interiors and give them a timeless, cozy feel. Imagine a room containing a well-worn Chesterfield sofa, Edwardian desk and dark velvet antique chaise longue. Imagine this same room jazzed up with modern touches such as modern Italian pendant lighting, contemporary artwork on the wall, or a simply designer coffee table. It’s all about blending pieces through a blend of neutral and warm colors (think cream, gray, or dark green), and letting one or more vintage pieces shine.
Natural Light
Study after study has shown that lighting has a powerful effect on our mood, productivity, and mental health. For instance, natural light has been found to reduce the symptoms of depression in people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It can also boost levels of serotonin—a chemical in the brain that controls mood and happiness and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. It therefore pays to install large windows in place of opaque walls and to undertake renovations such as enlarging windows, installing skylights, and ensuring that light flows freely throughout spaces such as living rooms and kitchens.
If you wish to add a cozy touch to a room, consider embracing curved rather than pointed or sharp lines. Imbue it with warm colors and, if possible, a classic design or two. Finally, ensure that it is flooded with natural light. Doing so will add the joy factor that is inexorably linked to the golden rays of the sunlight.