Transform Your Home into a Personal Sanctuary: REAL SIMPLE Explores the Link Between Interior Design and Mental Wellbeing
On September 16th, REAL SIMPLE hosted an insightful panel discussing how interior design impacts mental health and how to create a living space that nurtures your wellbeing.
Essential Insights
- REAL SIMPLE brought together experts to explore the connection between home design and mental wellness.
- They highlighted the importance of releasing the pursuit of perfection in your living space.
- Incorporating plants, optimizing lighting, and enhancing space functionality are vital elements.
On September 16, REAL SIMPLE convened a panel featuring mental health professionals and interior designers to delve into how your living environment influences your mental health. The event, titled “Your Home, Your Sanctuary,” offered valuable advice on transforming your home into a comforting refuge.
“During the pandemic, I realized I needed to stop trying to live for my home and instead design a home that truly serves me,” shared KC Davis, LPC, therapist and author of How to Keep House While Drowning.
The discussion was led by REAL SIMPLE Editor-in-Chief Lauren Iannotti at the Weekend in Inlet Beach, Florida.
Your Home Doesn’t Have to Mirror Magazine Perfection
While online and magazine interiors often showcase flawless homes, experts warn that striving for such perfection can negatively affect your stress levels and mental health.
Anita Yokota, a licensed therapist and interior designer, shared her experience helping clients redesign their spaces during the pandemic—emphasizing that mindset shifts were just as crucial as physical changes.
“The most transformative part was helping clients shed their shame about their homes and overcome the belief that everything must be perfect,” she explained.
Anita Yokota, LMFT
Helping clients reduce shame about their homes and break free from the need for perfection was truly transformative for me.
— Anita Yokota, LMFTPanelists discussed how people often tie their self-worth to their home's appearance, creating emotional burdens—especially for those primarily responsible for household upkeep, a role traditionally held by women.
“I still carry the notion that my space reflects my value as a woman and mother,” Davis admitted. “This mindset is a lingering legacy from the past.”
The pursuit of an ideal “perfect” home often overlooks individual and family needs. Courtney Mason, General Manager and Vice President of The Spruce and MyDomaine, emphasized that a home’s purpose is lost if it isn’t a lived-in, welcoming space.
“What’s the point of creating a space to bring people together if you’re not truly living in and enjoying it?” she asked.
How Your Environment Shapes Your Mental Wellbeing
Designing a Mental Health-Friendly Home
When asked about design tips for creating a sanctuary, Mason suggested the answer is personal and simple.
“Your sanctuary is whatever makes your home feel peaceful and safe to you—there’s no one-size-fits-all rule,” she said.
Still, panelists offered practical ideas to enhance your space, with lighting changes topping the list.
“Investing in quality lighting has transformed my mood at home,” Mason shared. “Sunlight and proper lighting make a huge difference.”
Yokota added that natural light boosts serotonin and dopamine levels, improving mood. Simple adjustments like changing curtains or window treatments, or installing skylights and sun tunnels, can invite more daylight indoors.
Incorporating nature, such as houseplants, also supports focus and wellbeing.
“Plants have a remarkable positive effect on us,” Yokota noted.
Finally, the panel emphasized functionality over aesthetics. A sanctuary might not be the most stylish space but should work best for you and your family, reducing stress and anxiety.
Davis recounted how she stopped folding infant laundry—a task she found overwhelming—and merged all closets into one family closet to simplify daily routines.
These changes eased her stress and enhanced her home’s role as a sanctuary.
“Functionality is the foundation of a sanctuary,” Davis concluded. “A home that works for you may look very different from others’.”
What This Means for You
There isn’t a universal formula for designing a mental health-friendly space because everyone’s needs differ. Small adjustments like improving lighting and adding plants help, but ultimately, your home should be a place where you feel secure and at peace. Release the pressure to create a Pinterest-perfect home and focus on what truly brings you comfort.
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