How Home Interiors Can Impact Mood

When you walk into your home at the end of a long day, you’re most likely comforted by your familiar surroundings, but how do your guests feel? While your personal comfort is important, also consider the mood you want to set for visitors, and explore interior design solutions that will bring your desired atmosphere to life.Most homes on the market in Orlando, FL were built in the 2000s and are classified as “McMansions,” commonly featuring two-stories with extra-tall entrances and complex, high-pitched roofs. McMansion-style homes are often found in subdivisions, where homeowners association regulations limit exterior personalization. If your home looks just like your neighbor’s from the outside, adjust the interior design to set your space apart. Work with your interior designer to tweak mood-altering elements such as lighting, color and even furniture to create the perfect setting for you and your guests. RomanticTo spark a romantic mood in your home, aim for soft design elements. In the dining room, emulate an intimate restaurant setting by dimming the overhead lights and lighting candles on the table for a warm glow. Avoid bright, overstimulating paint hues and opt for a calmer palette. Muted pinks and blues or creamy whites are go-to romantic color options, while taupe and other “dusty” shades keep the space from looking too bright. Painted or dark wood furnishings with feminine curves pair well with cozy, overstuffed chairs or sofas. Thick curtains give a sense of privacy while fresh flowers and floral accents add a romantic touch. ProductiveFocus on functional design when catering to a household’s busy lifestyle. Abundant, natural light is ideal for the kitchen and home office, where the natural rays can help you feel more awake and energized. Be sure to incorporate lots of task lighting under cabinets or on desktops for the night hours so you can continue to work once the sun sets. Blue is often referred to as the most productive color, making it a popular paint choice for home offices. Play with color palettes that incorporate blue, white or other neutrals to find a balanced color scheme. Organizational furniture like filing cabinets and shelving units help eliminate clutter and distraction. Plenty of surface area and minimal trinkets inspire a more productive mood. InvitingIf your home is a frequent gathering place for friends and relatives, make sure your style sends a welcoming message. Well-lit common areas encourage conversation, so supplement natural light with warm ambient light from table and floor lamps. From pale straw to warm gold, cheerful shades of yellow receive praise as some of the best paint choices for the living room and kitchen alike—two of the most high-traffic areas in most homes. Decorate your gathering places with plenty of seating and familiar accents like framed pictures, books, magazines and houseplants. Your guests will feel right at home next time they visit. ElegantFinding a balance between sophisticated style and function is essential when you’re aiming to set a more refined tone. Dramatic fixtures like sconces and chandeliers add light profiles unmatched by conventional lamps, and spotlighting helps draw attention to wall art and other decorative accents. Large pieces of furniture like wing chairs or tufted leather sofas emit timeless elegance yet remain comfortable and functional. Rich jewel tones like emerald green and ruby red add a pop of color in an accent wall, artwork or textiles, and these hues are a hot home design trend this year. The key to elegance is often quality over quantity, so keep throw pillows and blankets to a minimum, but do add a few pieces in luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet. These recommendations are simply a starting point — whether your home is a workspace or a sanctuary, collaborate with your interior designer to arrive at a style that reflects you personally and sets the right mood. By: Guest Blogger-  Erin Holdgate