With spring fast approaching, many people are giving themselves and their homes a fresh start, and for many people, the best place to start is in their interior design.

Whilst there is a considerable aesthetic aspect to consider in the design of your home, one of the unique aspects of home design compared to other forms of art is the marriage of practicality and beauty.

Unlike any other form of art, it is not enough for a room to be beautifully designed and incredible to look at; it needs to be lived in and will have an effect on its inhabitants in positive and negative ways.

This is why, during a time when most of the world were spending the vast majority of their time at home, maximalism and its embrace of texture, clutter and patterns became so popular; as spaces became more isolated they became conduits of much larger statements of individuality.

However, the design of an interior is about more than strict rules and a dedication to aesthetics; the right design for your home can have considerable practical benefits as well. Here are some

 examples of how a focus on interior design can have a positive effect on your life.

Creating A Relaxing Space

If you look at some of the most popular interior design trends over the past decade, they include elements of Japanese design, hygge aesthetic and other aspects of Scandinavian design.

The common element of these design principles is that they all focus on natural materials and textures, relative minimalism without compromising comfort and cosiness.

Minimalism, whilst uncanny if taken too far, reduces visual overstimulation, allowing for relaxed, comfortable living spaces that emphasise health and well-being.

Enhances Mood

There has been an abundance of studies on the effects different colours have on our mood, and by carefully exploring combinations of colours, accents and neutral shades, a room can produce an ideal effect.

For example, pale blues and greens are ideal colours for bedrooms, as they are peaceful, light shades that encourage relaxation, whilst deeper shades create an intimate, close environment and brighter colours are stimulating and invigorating.

Increase Home Value

Whilst most people who are revitalising their home décor are not necessarily considering the resale value of the property when they do so, a lot of the principles of minimalist design are also used to make a home as appealing as possible to potential buyers.

Because of the way the light catches certain colours, lighter, neutral shades give the perception of space, making a room feel larger than it is, especially with carefully placed mirrors and less furniture, furnishings and clutter to give a buyer’s eyes a point of reference.

Improved Productivity

Most design styles are minimalist in nature, meaning that the only objects that are in view in a room are ones that are necessary and important, which not only looks fantastic from an aesthetic point of view but also improves organisation and by extension productivity.

As well as this, working in a well-designed space filled with light and splashes of colour can serve as a morale-boosting environment that can help people working from home perform at their best.