Today's post is inspired by a book that I read over the holidays called 'Joyful' by Ingrid Fetell Lee. In the book she discusses colours, shapes and objects that can bring more joy into the home. Whilst a lot of what she discusses are joy through furniture and decorations, it really got me thinking about how I could adapt the same principles to create more joy for clients when designing their renovation or new build. I have divided these into 5 categories that can help you bring a little bit more happiness into your spaces.
1 | COLOUR
This one is an obvious one - colour creates joy! Of course, you can always add colour through your artwork, furniture and decor, leaving the hard finishes all neutral. However, there are two ways to use colour that I'd like to encourage people to try. The first one is to use colour in unexpected places - this could be the inside of the cupboard or robe, the front of your staircase steps or a fireplace hearth. The second is to fully immerse yourself in colour. Choose a muted tone and colour drench a space in the home. Good spaces for this are a powder room or a master bedroom. Lastly, if colour is already your thing, feel free to add colour in your cabinetry, tiles and/or benchtops!
2 | ORGANIC SHAPES
Round and rounded shapes bring more joy than harsh lines and rectangles. These shapes can be added to anything from cabinetry and tiles to windows and tapware. Think about adding circles, arches and scallops - for example an arched window in a kitchen, a circular shaving cabinet in the bathroom, a fish-scale mosaic for a splashback tile. We also have a blog post about embracing the curve with more ideas, which you can access through the link below.
3 | LIGHTING
Lighting can have a huge effect on how we feel. Homes these days tend to have ceilings filled with downlights creating harsh white overhead light. While these are great for even lighting for tasks like cooking and cleaning, they are not the most joyful. In fact these lights can affect our circadian rhythm and make it harder to sleep at night. We recommend layering your overhead lights with softer lights in the form of sconces, table lamps and floor lamps throughout the home. If possible, also opt for a warmer light for your downlights rather than a very bright hospital-like white.
4 | BIOPHILIC DESIGN
There is no doubt that spending time outdoors can really boost your mood. Biophilic design is an approach to interior design that aims to connect people more closely with nature by bringing key elements from the outdoors into the home. This includes ideas such as using large windows for natural light and outdoor views, using natural materials like timbers and natural stones, and creating an indoor-outdoor space within your home. We also have a blog post about biophilic design, which you can access through the link below.
5 | SPACES FOR GATHERING
Humans are social beings and gathering with our friends and family is a great way to bring more joy into your life. When designing spaces for entertaining, consider how you want people to come together. Do you want them to help in the kitchen? do you want them to all fit in the living space? would you prefer a long dining table in the alfresco for gathering? These answers can allow you to allocate space and seating correctly to create inviting spaces for wholesome interaction. Aim for comfortable furniture, soft textures and lots of natural light, to create welcoming and warm spaces that everyone will love spending time in.
I hope these ideas have been inspiring! If you want to find out more about how we can help you with your project, get in contact with us below:
Have a wonderful week!
Nina xx
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