The Psychology of Achieving Balance In Interior Design

The Psychology of Achieving Balance In Interior Design
Contemporary Architecture Diluted in a Bucolic Landscape: ME House
Elegant Office Unit With Secret Opening Mechanism: Storage Kit Shkatulka
How Architects Design For An Aging Population

Posted: 25 Sep 2014 06:23 AM PDT

When it comes to interiors balance can have pleasing psychological effects. Image Via: Culligan Abraham Architecture

Interior design is about so much more than sense of style. We've already talked about your design choices are influencing your subconscious, but that's just scratching the surface. Even the way that you employ symmetry in your home has an impact on your psyche.

Does it seem like a stretch to say that proper furniture placement can make you happier? How about more intellectually engaged? Whether you buy into these ideas or not, these are just a few of symmetry's possible effects.

See the ways in which symmetry can change the atmosphere of your home, as well as how you can easily bring these principles into your interiors. We bet you'll be itching to do a little rearranging by the time you get to the bottom.

balanced kitchen island The Psychology of Achieving Balance In Interior Design

Keep balance in mind as you design your interiors. Image Via: Jennifer Worts Design Inc.

Symmetry Makes Design Simple:

We've all experienced the feeling of looking at a room and having our breath taken away by its beauty. No doubt you want to achieve that effect in your interiors. But, how can you be sure that a room will come together well when each project is the some of so many different parts? Achieving a symmetrical design is key.

According to the Gestalt Psychology, though our eyes take in separate pieces of information, our brains boil all of it down into a singular, simpler, recognizable pattern. As far as interiors are concerned, this means that we see rooms as a whole – a kitchen, a living room, a bathroom – before we can focus on the individual design elements themselves.

We love balanced designs because they keep that the amount of information that our brains need to process to a minimum. By picking up on a repeating a pattern, we are able to process the individual elements faster. Since we are easily able to understand symmetrical spaces, we often think of them as more aesthetically pleasing.

Try to work at least one pattern into every design project. Your bedroom could feature a pair of matching nightstands or reading lamps. Three evenly spaced bar stools could add a sense of symmetry to your kitchen island. Even if it's as simple as placing a couch on either side of the coffee table, give the brain a symmetrical element to hook onto and you'll increase your chances making your guests gasp in delight.

symmetrical wall decor The Psychology of Achieving Balance In Interior Design

Focus on giving each room at least one symmetrical element. Image Via: Just Perfect! Home Staging + More

Balance Keeps Us Happy:

As one of Freshome's readers, you should be very familiar with the idea that well-designed spaces have the ability to inspire happiness. We've all experienced the rush of joy that comes along with deciding on the perfect shade to make our colorful interiors truly pop and the feeling of accomplishment that comes along with finding that accent piece we've been searching for forever. Did you know that symmetry has the same effect?

Department psychologists at the Universities of Rome and Liverpool have found a link between symmetry and positive response. In one study they found that participants were quicker to associate symmetrical images with positive words than negative ones. They found that the reverse was true with unbalanced photos. In a second study, they measured activity in the facial muscles used to smile and found that it was most active when their participants viewed balanced images.

The same researchers also found that those responses were most pronounced when the participants viewed reflexive symmetry – the kind that showcases mirror images – so be sure to use this type of balance in areas where you need the biggest jolt of happiness. It's worth considering to help with hectic kitchens, right?

reflective symmetry The Psychology of Achieving Balance In Interior Design

Reflective symmetry is believed to have the biggest positive effect on your senses. Image Via: René Dekker Design Limited

Mirror Images Provide Functional Clues:

The first time that we step into a new interior, our brains automatically process two things: Aesthetics and Function. The best design projects will mix both in a way that is so subtle and integrated that you'll have trouble distinguishing the two. But, you don't need to have years of training under your belt to accomplish this task – all you need is a little symmetry.

First, you need to decide on the room's focal point. This should be the one object that immediately draws the eye and, ideally, should provide a crucial clue about the space's function. An elegant table clearly marks any dining room just as handsome desk defines a home office and a sprawling bed completes any master suite.

Once you've established your room's focal point, use it as the center of your symmetrical design. Build a cozy circular seating area around the fireplace in your family room. Flank a bathtub with his-and-hers vanities for a bold statement in your master bathroom or highlight a piece of art with twin bookshelves in your study.

symmetrical bathroom2 The Psychology of Achieving Balance In Interior Design

Use twin vanities to showcase your tub and shower. Image Via: Leader Design Studio

Asymmetry Helps Us Stay Interested:

For all this talk about the virtues of symmetry and simplicity, we can't forget to mention one last thing: There is such a thing as too much. Before you rearrange your spaces to create matching mirror images, take a second to consider shaking things up with a little asymmetry.

Asymmetrical balance will give depth and visual interest to your rooms. It often comes off as feeling more authentic and relaxed than more traditionally ordered spaces, do it's a great feature to use when you really want to drive home a homey, cozy feel.

When it comes to achieving asymmetry that works, focus on choosing design elements that, though distinct, are still similar in mass and form. Make sure that they are placed equally distant from the room's center point. As you work on positioning, don't hesitate to trust you gut. Place the objects where you think they should be and then take a step back to view the room as a whole. You'll instantly get a sense for the flow of the space and be able to tweak your asymmetrical element so that it shines.

Keep in mind that asymmetry can be big or small. Pivot a chair to add an intimate touch to any seating area, highlight your children's artwork in a gallery wall in your kitchen, or even artfully arrange a few coffee table decorations.

asymmetrical dining table The Psychology of Achieving Balance In Interior Design

Asymmetrical elements can be as big as statement furniture or as small as table decorations. Image Via: Abramson Teiger Architects

It's no secret that we all feel drawn to symmetrical setups. But, who knew that something as simple as positioning would have such profound psychological effects. If you have the ability to make your family happier and more relaxed by moving a few design elements around, why not do it? Give symmetry a try in your own interiors and see if you notice any difference. You deserve a home that soothes your body and mind.

Do you believe in the psychological effects of symmetry in design? If so, have you incorporated it into your interiors? Tell us how in the comments.

The post The Psychology of Achieving Balance In Interior Design appeared first on Freshome.com.

Contemporary Architecture Diluted in a Bucolic Landscape: ME House

Posted: 25 Sep 2014 03:31 AM PDT

Otta Albernaz Arquitetura completed ME House, a 360 square-meter residence located Jambeiro, São Paulo, Brasil. The modern project is described as almost diluted in its landscape, with private and discreet facades gradually unveiling vibrant interiors. Several native trees on the property were preserved and originally integrated in the overall design. Built for a couple concerned about the vertical city, the uncontrolled increase of traffic, visual, environmental and noise pollution, the new home aims to increase quality of life and encourage social interaction.

A simple, yet creative concept dictated the layout for ME House: “The plan is designed in two pavilions perpendicular to each other in a contemporary and clean language, which allowed all of the environments to have views of the gardens outside favoring both cross ventilation and abundant natural lighting. Both visual and physical integration of the environments is achieved through large glass panels that make up the internal facades, allowing full view of the movement of the home.” As you can observe in the gallery below, the interior design is vivid and diverse, with finishing materials based on practicality, warmth and visual harmony. [Photography: Eduardo Simabuguro Albernaz]

The post Contemporary Architecture Diluted in a Bucolic Landscape: ME House appeared first on Freshome.com.

Elegant Office Unit With Secret Opening Mechanism: Storage Kit Shkatulka

Posted: 25 Sep 2014 01:31 AM PDT

Storage kit Shkatulka is inspired from a Russian “secret box”, a special unit for jewellery and precious items with a trick opening mechanism. The unconventional office project was planned in a Russian hut where the designers at Dopludo had a chance to reinterpret historical heritage and recreate archetypal household items with a modern twist. Lesha Galkin was one of the master minds behind this creation; with studies in both Russia and Sweden, the artist is known for criticizing Russian design for its tendency towards plagiarism. This new storage kit aims to encourage innovative works throughout the country. According to the official project description, the box is made of bright white marble and implements pale wooden finishes, with hidden Dopludo slats that slide away at the sides to ease the lid off. The unit can “hide” neatly stacked miniature shelving units, pen and pencil holders, paper weights and paper files. As you can see in the photos below, this ensemble makes for a stylish hand-crafted decorative structure. Whenever you feel like it, Shkatulka lets you rearrange its compartments according to your needs. Check out the photos and tell us if you find the project useful and/or appealing.

The post Elegant Office Unit With Secret Opening Mechanism: Storage Kit Shkatulka appeared first on Freshome.com.

How Architects Design For An Aging Population

Posted: 24 Sep 2014 09:19 AM PDT

The aging population prefers smaller homes with little to no-step entries. Image Source: Leland Grp

The growth in the number of adults 65 years and older will double over the next 25 years. This statistic creates a demographic that is unprecedented in America’s history, as stated in The State of Aging and Health in America.

What happens when 20% of the population is elderly? What are the consequences of this growing statistic?

Of course, there are a lot of possible outcomes to an increased population of seniors—with health care costs topping this list. But what about housing those whose mobility may be challenged? What does the aging population require in terms of living arrangements and accommodations?

Architects have a whole new role to fill when it comes to designing for this demographic. With a set of unique living standards and needs— Architects have found themselves meeting new and exciting design challenges for seniors, and they are inventing fresh blueprints that are modern and ingenious.

Here we will look at how architects are meeting this unprecedented demand in design for an aging population:

open shower How Architects Design For An Aging Population

Mobility and accessibility are paramount in a seniors home design. This open shower is wheelchair accessible. Image Source: The Mansion-Interiors

Designs to Aid Mobility

Architect, David Dillard, had the right idea when he asked some of his designers to move into a retirement home to get first-hand knowledge of the living struggles that the elderly encounter on a day-to-day basis. This is the kind of thoughtful innovation that architects will require in order to understand the needs of the aging population and how best to meet those needs.

Mobility is one of the bigger challenges that designers face. In order to make a home more accessible, architects are creating designs that are stair-free; designs with larger hallways or more open floor plans; designs with wider doorways; designs with no-step entries; designs with lower sinks and safety showers & bathtubs, and even designs with wireless video monitoring so that relatives can catch falls or trouble.

Ingenuity is a must! The architects that embrace new designs and ideas are the ones who will succeed in this increasing niche of home design.

wheelchair accessible home How Architects Design For An Aging Population

Wheelchair accessibility is a common design request. Image Source: Balance Associates

Remodeling Homes For The Elderly

Just because one gets older doesn’t imply a willingness to give up independence. More often than not, the aging population is choosing to age in place. This means that sometimes designers and architects need to work within the confines of current home plans— devising ways to remodel the current home into a safer, more functional one for the elderly.

Remodeling may require tear-down of walls in order to allow for a more open floor plan with fewer obstructions; it may also require new lighting systems and new, larger windows in order to optimize the homes lighting.

Overall, aging in place requires thoughtful consideration into the changes your home requires in order to make it safe and enjoyable. This article on Aging in Place offers a lot of great ideas for home remodeling, allowing the elderly to enjoy many years to come in their current home.

open floor plan How Architects Design For An Aging Population

Remodeling a home for seniors may require designing a more open floor plan such as this one. Image Source: HFD Architects

Lighting A Home For Seniors

Lighting for the elderly is something new for architects and lighting designers to consider, especially since poor lighting can lead to accidents and falls. As people age they experience a plethora of vision problems from macular degeneration, neuro-degeneration and reduced retinal illuminance (essentially, smaller pupils and a thicker eye lens causes everything to appear less vivid and bright).

Designer, Eunice Noelle-Waggoner, offers some great tips on lighting design for seniors. Waggoner points out that seniors have a whole other idea of what is attractive and functional when it comes to optimal lighting. Seniors prefer light sources that are shielded with a shade as it tones down on harsh glare, and they prefer overall ambient light versus dramatic high-contrast lighting. Most importantly, high-quality light is needed throughout the home—LED or fluorescent light bulbs are probably best, and large windows are a must.

Overall, seniors need more light to make their homes functional. The home should be well-lit along the walls, ceilings, hallways and stairs— ensuring unobstructed views and optimal safety.

modern sitting room big window How Architects Design For An Aging Population

Seniors prefer overall ambient lighting versus dramatic contrasting light, and big windows are a must. Image Source: Pepe Calderin Design

Color Designs For The Elderly

As we discussed above, as people age their eyesight declines. The good news is that the colors used within a home can actually help improve a seniors visibility.

High contrast colors can really help someone with poor eyesight—For example, a darker color on the bathroom walls allows for a senior to easily see the white toilet seat or white porcelain sink.

Color also affects mood. Seniors can become depressed or lonesome as they begin to feel shut-off from the outside world. Soft pinks and greens can help you feel at peace, while red and orange can improve energy levels. What a simple solution that can have profound effects! Overall, color can greatly increase the joy that seniors feel within their home, so consider adding this tool to your senior living plan.

eclectic room How Architects Design For An Aging Population

Color affects mood. Pale green walls make you calm, while the contrasting colors allowing for high visibility. Image Source: Favre Au Design

The senior population is readying to double over the next 25 years, so modified home design that improves quality of life will be something on every architects radar. Architects need to design for the aging population with inventive ideas that aid in mobility and ease of use.

Through proper lighting, designs that optimize mobility, and remodeling plans that make a home functional—seniors can happily age in place throughout their retirement years.

Do you know of any unique designs that architects or designers have derived to help seniors?

The post How Architects Design For An Aging Population appeared first on Freshome.com.