11 Interior Decorating Tips to Reduce Anxiety and Depression

So, how can you create interior spaces that help with anxiety and depression while reflecting your personality? Below are ten tips that have helped me in my struggles…

Biophilia—or biophilic design—is all about bringing the outdoors inside. You do this by adding houseplants, fresh-cut flowers, blooming plants, water fountains, fireplaces—anything you can do to add the sights and sounds of nature. Designing your space by introducing natural elements will add to the sense of calm and healing within your space. (Read about a related study on horticultural therapy and mental health here.) Flowering plants work very well but can trigger allergies. Non-flowering green plants work just as well in creating a calm, soothing interior space. 

Plants clean the indoor air and add oxygen. (That has been contested, however, by a few recent studies). Even photos or paintings of outdoor scenes are beneficial, adding a visual representation of biophilic design to your space. Or get the real thing by using views to the outside through your windows while using those same windows to let in natural sunlight and heat (in the winter). The idea behind biophilic design is to tap into the healing properties of nature by bringing some of the natural elements into your interior space.

As I mentioned under the tip on biophilic design, find ways to bring natural light into your space. It’s so important to be exposed to natural sunlight, and it not only helps you, but it helps your plants as well! While it is tempting to curl into a ball and hibernate with the blinds drawn (and there is a time for that), it is not healthy to remain there. Natural light feeds the endorphins you need to feel better and is known to be healing and stress-reducing. According to Healthline, natural light raises your endorphins and serotonin levels and helps us with the circadian rhythms that help us rest and sleep properly. All of this improves our mental health and physical well-being.

When you don’t have natural light, you can create a sense of warmth and ambiance with layers of soft artificial light. Get creative with fairy lights, candles, LED candles, and accent lighting! We are attracted to light, so lighting up the space to create points of interest elevates your mood. Even the flicker of candlelight is beneficial. Any warm light creates a cozy ambiance to the space, making it feel more inviting, relaxing, and safe.

Limit shiny objects and mirrors when you are trying to design a soothing space. The way that light bounces off shiny objects can be jarring and unsettling when you are depressed or anxious and adds to the visual clutter effect. Also, seeing your reflections in mirrors when you are suffering from anxiety and depression can be a bit too much. So maybe use mirrors and reflective surfaces sparingly when your objective is to create an environment where you can decompress.

I can personally speak to the benefits of getting rid of unnecessary clutter. Too much clutter is hard to keep clean and can increase stress. Ideally, minimize the physical and visual clutter (i.e., too many patterns). Your space doesn’t have to be empty, but you don’t want to think about cleaning when trying to relax. Also, the eyes need to relax and settle on things that feel good. You want your decor to be personal and uplifting and have meaning, but keep it simple when you suffer from anxiety and depression. Too much “stuff” can produce a claustrophobic sensation and increase your cortisol levels (which increases stress), which is no good when trying to unwind. Sometimes, you need to detach from the outside world in a space that feels like a soothing cocoon, and too much clutter makes it hard to shut the world out. A healing space will allow you to block out external intrusions, focus on yourself, and provide the physical and mental space to slow down and practice healing and self-care.

Only use those accessories and artwork that evoke positive feelings or memories. Be deliberate and meaningful in your choice of decorative accents. This is where you add the “you” into your design. Surround yourself with decor that evokes positive feelings—such as photos, sayings, artwork, and spiritual or religious symbols. Choose uplifting decor that takes you to a place where you feel alive and content in a space where you can heal.

I’ve fallen in love with hygge! According to Visit Denmark, hygge means embracing the simple life, enjoying the moment, and finding pleasure in everyday things. Use the hygge mindset to create cozy spots to “land” in your home with blankets, pillows, blackout curtains (for bedrooms), and comfortable textiles. The ultimate hygge space is a snug spot or nook where you curl up with a book, nap, or gaze out of the window. When we think of cozy spaces, we tend to visualize lots of throw pillows and blankets, area rugs, layered window treatments, etc. This combination of rich textures creates a sense of warmth and pleasantness…a place to cuddle, read, drink a cup of hot cocoa, drink a glass of wine, nap, and decompress.

If you’re trying to relax and calm the mind, you want to stick with more neutral colors, such as blue, tan, white, green, or any colors that are more earthy in value. Blue reduces stress and blood pressure and works well in bedrooms for its calming effect. Creams, browns, and greens are earthy and calming, reminding us of nature. White and beige can give an interior a sense of space and cleanliness (although too much white can feel clinical, at least for me). If you need more color stimulation, add small pops of vibrant colors in pillows and accessories. These can be easily removed or exchanged as your mood changes.

Use your sense of smell to help create relaxing interior spaces. This can be tricky because many items used to scent our homes contain dangerous VOCs or air pollutants. Be aware of these dangers and choose products wisely (such as candles with low levels of phthalates). Safe fragrances and scents will take you to your happy place and leave your home smelling amazing! There are many options—candle warmers, wax melts, potpourri, scented candles, fresh or dried herbs—so you can take your pick based on safety, budget, and preferences. Just an FYI…Lavender is well known (even in the medical field) for creating a sense of calm, reducing stress levels, and encouraging healing.

It may be tempting to follow the latest trends in home decor but be mindful that those trends represent other peoples’ values. Be deliberate about what you put in your space, and make sure it reflects YOUR values and the things that make you feel good inside. This makes the space a haven, so you can tune in with yourself and tune out the outside world. If there isn’t something in your space that makes you smile, try to find something that DOES make you feel good. Remember that trends come and go, so don’t spend money on what is hot right now because it will be next week’s trash, and you’ll be stressing over spending more money to replace things!

Address your use of technology and its visual placement within your space. Find ways to make it disappear so you can relax, especially in your bedroom. First, let’s talk about the visual effects. Let’s be honest, technology is unattractive and does not fit into any interior space except maybe an ultra-modern design. The high visibility of electronics in a room creates clutter and dust and is a constant reminder of messages, emails, and work. If you can find ways to put it away or hide it, do that. Also, the blue light from these devices is horrible for relaxation. (Sleep Foundation has a terrific article that discusses how electronics in the bedroom impacts sleep.) And finally, we don’t fully appreciate the jarring nature of the sounds in the videos and programs we watch. They have far more negative psychological effects than we realize. It’s a good idea to limit exposure to electronic stimuli in the room any way you can.

I am not a mental health professional. Any information or advice is purely my own opinion based on widely accepted rules of design and my own experience. If you are suffering from mental health issues, please seek the advice of a trained mental health professional.