Usually when we think of designing a home we immediately think about how our home will look. It’s common to begin the decorating process by focusing on aesthetics and although important, we believe that when we design our homes we should be equally concerned with how something feels and how it affects our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being. Our homes can affect the quality of our lives, our relationships, our health, and our chances of success and fulfillment. Our homes reflect and even shape our lives, therefore, in many ways, what we do to our homes we also do to ourselves.

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As the name implies, Interior Design should start by looking within. This inside out process can help you create a home that is not only beautiful, but also supports your life and nurtures yourself. What good is a beautiful space if it doesn’t function well or support your lifestyle? What does it matter if a space is breathtaking, but it’s not comfortable or healthy? How is it helpful to be surrounded by stylish furnishings and objects if they don’t express your authentic self, reflect your goals and lift your spirits? What good is a stunning room if it’s decorated with materials that could make us sick? Our surroundings should serve us on all levels – our homes should reflect the best of who we are and hope to be, mirror our values, provide a sense of purpose and meaning, inspire us, empower us, manifest our dreams, support our goals, lift our energy and boost our health.

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We believe the decorating process should begin by not only envisioning the kind of space you want to design, but also the kind of life you want to live. We call the process Life Design, recognizing that as we design our homes we are in fact designing our lives.

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Before you begin designing, try the following life design steps:

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1) First, create a Life Design, or a “blueprint” for your life. You may refer to our blog, “Creating A Life Design.” A life design will help you clarify your intentions, define your goals, and visualize positive outcomes. You will then use this “map” to make sure your home reflects and supports your life goals. Your intentions and life design will inform all your decorating decisions. When your surroundings are filled with symbols of your dreams, you will find your goals manifest with ease and you will be anchored in purpose and experience more fulfillment. Read our blog about creating a Life Design. 

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2) The next important step before you start decorating is to make sure your home supports your health. It helps to think of your home as an extension of your body. In many ways what you put in your home has the same affect on your health as what you put in your mouth. Many common products used to decorate, including certain types of paint, finishes, carpeting, mattresses, curtains and particleboard, contain chemicals. These chemicals, such as formaldehyde, toluene and benzene, are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) that, through a process called “off-gassing,” release unhealthy fumes into the air. Insist that everything you bring into your home from furniture to finishes is non- toxic and natural. Read our blog Healthy Decorating for tips about using healthier, non-toxic decorating materials.

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3. To ensure that your home reflects your own unique personal style create a “mood board.” For a few months, or longer, clip pictures, take photographs or collect materials that speak to you. This is an emotional process so do not let your mind edit and remember there is no right or wrong. See what speaks to your heart and also what feeds your senses.  Your mood board will reflect your inner life. Also add a list of values or qualities you would like your home to embody such as peace, simplicity, fun etc. 

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4. Choose comfortable and safe furnishings. This may sound obvious, but often we choose extreme features because they can be dramatic or visually stunning. However, usually we are more comfortable in balanced environments. All white rooms or all metal rooms may look good, but in order to feel good these extremes need to be balanced. Also look for “perceived dangers” meaning things that we intellectually know cannot harm us, but on some level cause anxiety, such as a very heavy chandelier hanging over a glass table or a large metal sculpture installed above our bed. We know that these things are anchored in the wall, nonetheless our body instinctually feels uncomfortable.

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5. Be mindful of creating positive energy in your space. The simplest way to do this is to love everything in your home. Be on the lookout for things that do not speak to you and/or you have a negative memory associated with. Keep in mind the idea that “where your attention goes energy flows,” which means wherever your attention goes, is where the energy is also moving. Your eye should move gently through the space, not rushing too quickly and not being “blocked” by large pieces of furniture or other objects. Feng Shui gives many guidelines for creating positive energy.  

6. Sit down and make a list of all the activities you plan to do in the rooms you are decorating. This step will help ensure that the room is practical and functional. Will your dining table also be used as a workspace, project table, or for homework? Do you need furniture that will contain these projects so that you can easily clear the table for meals?  Is your living room a place for entertaining and for reading? Is it also a play space for kids? What do you need to support these different functions?

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When decorated properly, your home can become a positive affirmation that meets all your practical, physical, emotional and spiritual needs. A space where you are empowered to function gracefully during your day to day routines, your body is replenished, and your spirit soothed.