Your Space, Your Year: Design your Interior for Success
Your Space, Your Year: Design your Interior for Success
It’s a fact: your environment greatly influences your mindset, productivity and energy levels- so why not revitalise your space to help you on your way to your most successful year yet! Whether it’s a full revamp or just a simple refresh, simple design changes can transform your home or office into a haven for renewal and growth.
Start with decluttering. Not only does it reduce mental load and decision fatigue, a tidy interior clears the mind and boosts positivity by creating a sense of control… but don’t worry! Decluttering doesn’t mean you have to ruthlessly throw everything out. Instead, focus on removing items that no longer serve a purpose– so if an item is broken, past its relevance, and you haven’t used it in months, throw it out- or better yet, donate it to a worthy cause.
Top tip: start a daily 5-minute habit of tidying up your various living and working areas, to help keep your space neatly organised and ready to welcome anyone in at a moment’s notice.
In addition to having good ambient (general) and task lighting, ensure that you have access to as much natural light as possible. Natural light increases serotonin production, lifting mood and energy levels, and regulates circadian rhythms, which leads to better sleep. Healthy sleep patterns improve focus and overall health, making them essential for a balanced lifestyle. Maximise natural light by using lighter curtains or strategically placing mirrors to reflect it throughout the room.
Colour is an essential element: it influences the mood, perception and atmosphere of a space, affording you unlimited options to create harmony, focus and can even evoke positivity and energy in an interior. Always a personal choice, you could consider soft, neutral tones as a base to promote calmness and focus, and then add pops of colour in accessories or accents to inspire a sense of optimism and vitality. If you’re feeling bold, a single accent wall in your favourite vibrant hue can really invigorate your surroundings.
Ever thought about shopping your home for a fresh look?
Consider moving furniture items from one room to another, like cabinets, occasional chairs and side tables, to breathe new life into a room’s layout, and rearrange your furniture to create better flow and functionality. This exercise can help enhance the efficiency in your interior, as well as inspire creativity and give you a fresh perspective. Multi-functional furniture like storage ottomans and extendable tables are always very useful items and a great investment, also helping with reducing physical and visual clutter, particularly in smaller spaces. If some upholstered items are showing a bit too much wear-and-tear, replace them with luxurious materials such as soft linen, velvet, or sustainable alternatives. Studies have shown that tactile and visually pleasant surroundings (like having items with quality textiles in appealing colours, patterns, and textures) improves your mood, which is also closely linked to enhanced cognitive performance and creativity.
Need some inspiration?
Experiment with refreshing your accessories by incorporating seasonal accents. Accessories like cushions, throws and rugs offer an affordable way to keep your interior fresh and on-trend! Even if the current season’s colour trends don’t work for you, use this as a chance to showcase your personal favourites. Have fun by moving or updating existing photographs, artwork and mementos, to give your eye something new to appreciate. Being surrounded with personal, meaningful items fosters motivation and emotional well-being, and should simply be something you love to look at. Including a few indoor plants or nature-inspired décor are other simple ways to increase general well-being, as our innate human need to connect to nature reduces stress.
Thoughtfully designing your space is the first step to a fulfilling, productive year. Start today and watch your environment transform into one that supports your success!
Nicolene Mausenbaum, owner/ director of Dezyna Interiors, is a qualified interior designer who specialises in creating inspiring modern spaces for busy professionals internationally- helping clients love the space they’re in. Skilled with over 25 years of experience, Nicolene is a listed Professional Senior Interior Designer member of the IID (The African Institute of the Interior Design Professions), and has created many unique interiors internationally from residential, corporate & commercial spaces to retail interiors. She is also a published interior expert, featuring in publications like Stylist.co.uk; Daily Mail; Women & Home; Ideal Home; Good Homes; Country Living & others.
