Is your house making you sad? This guide to anti-depressive living will help
We all know by now that our living environments can make us sick. From toxic mould to poor indoor air quality, plenty has been written about the risks of unhealthy homes to our physical wellbeing. Less, however, is known about the impact of our homes on our mental wellbeing.
Lockdown experiences during COVID-19 would indicate that some residential environments can make us happier than others.
Indeed, while some Australians enjoyed time spent in spacious homes on large estates, others struggled in less luxurious surrounds. And although the restrictions lifted long ago, for many, their homes still leave a lot to be desired so that rather than feeling rejuvenated, comforted or invigorated by their spaces, they feel, well, a bit sad.
But is it possible for your home to be designed for happiness?
Stefania Reynolds, project director and head of interiors at Sydney-based firm Studio Johnston Design, says the answer is firmly 'yes'.
'Design has a profound impact on how we feel at home. It shapes our emotional responses, mental wellbeing, and even our physical comfort,' says Reynolds. 'Spaces that balance openness with intimacy help foster deeper connections without being overwhelming.'
Creating a home that nurtures, she says, is less about size and more about understanding the elements that make it a pleasure to come home to, and to live in.
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'A lot of the time during those early days of exploring the brief we need to draw out the 'why' behind the client's wishlist,' she says. 'We try to translate practical needs into emotional outcomes.'
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