The Psychology Of Space — How Architectural Design Influences Your Mood

Psychology of space studies how design affects mood. Colour, lighting, and layout shape emotions, helping create spaces for comfort, productivity, and creativity.

How Architectural Design Influences Your Mood

Source : Pinterest/biggerpockets

{By: Ms. Amrita Maitra}

Psychology of space, is the study of how our emotions, behaviour, and well being is affected by the built environment. From the warmth of a cosy house harbouring people who always care for you to a grand open office. Everything signifies feelings unlike what we might know. Setting the right mood is defined by various factors like paint colour, lightning, arrangement of space, furniture and materials used. Every single detail matters. As an architectural designer, one should know what emotion space evokes. Knowing this will allow you to create spaces that promote comfort, productivity, relaxation and even creativity. Here are seven ways of design which affect mood as well as well-being. 

1. Psychological Effects Of Lighting

Spaces with good natural light significantly enhance one’s mood. Moreover, it has also been proven to improve mental well-being as well as boost productivity which in return increases focus. Spaces designed artificially provide warmth which is inviting, and when used on and off can excite people, bringing a sense of life into them.

Whether in a stimulating café or a relaxing bedroom, architects employ colour intentionally to achieve the desired emotional reaction out of people who are present in the space. 

2. Emotional Soothing Through Spatial Layout Design

Open floor plans encourage a sense of community and social interactions, while solitary spaces provide safety and privacy. Movement, interactions, and the perception of openness or restriction are all dictated by one’s spatial surroundings, thus creating a need to balance emotion with functionality. 

3. Selection Of Sensory Elements Space Surrounding The Entity

The materials and their texture impacts one’s perception and experience of the space. Soft textures like warm woods and fabrics promote cosy feelings, whereas metals and glass provide a modern minimalist aesthetic. Thoughtful material selection can maximize comfort and foster a sense of belonging within the space. 

4. Felt Liberty And Infinity Ceiling Heights

A low ceiling puts a person in an intimate cosy setting while a high ceiling fuels a person’s sense of inspiration and creativity. Research indicates that people associate higher ceilings with having an abstract mindset along with better problem-solving skills, making them optimum for studios and workplaces. 

5. Mental Health Improvement Through Biophilic Design

Natural elements such as plants, water features, and natural light relieve stress and promote relaxation.

Biophilic design deals with the incorporation of nature within the confines of architecture. Its implementation has proven to improve mood, enhance focus, and promote general well-being. 

6. Acoustics And Noise Control For Emotional Balance

Sound is vital since it affects how one perceives any particular space. Inadequate acoustics and high levels of noise can trigger stress and anxiety, whereas, good acoustic design using noise-absorbing materials and purposefully arranged spaces provide a more serene environment. 

Architects are tasked with incorporating social responsibility into architectural design, because it is not just art, but science it is an endeavor that seeks to improve the state of humanity. Each decision made in design, be it in illumination, colour, material, or even organisation of space, is a means of triggering a psychological state. When used creatively, psychology can drastically inform the architecture of spaces that impact health, productivity, and positive emotions; thus, changing the context in which we live, work, and relate to one another.

The author, Ms. Amrita Maitra is the Founder and Leader of I.M. Design and Development.