What psychological effect can interior design have on us?
By Andrea POWELL AZORÍN
Edited by Kristína SATKOVA
Architecture’s focus doesn’t only reside in using the most developed forms of technology available to be sustainable or producing the most extravagant designs that might get you shortlisted for the Pritzker Prize; it also contains a major psychological aspect, which, while sometimes greatly overlooked, is entirely responsible for the way we see it and what we do with it. Whether it be a garage, a conference room, or a ballroom, the interior design of a place is specifically customised to fit the way we desire people to interact with it: it is responsible not only for how comfortable one feels in that certain place, and consequently how long they might want to stay in it, but also for the kind of people who visit it and how they would act in it. Although it might seem quite abstract, the basics of interior design and psychology are much more closely intertwined than one might guess.
Interior design is centred on using space to our advantage and giving it a purpose, doing so in a mainly decorative approach that gives it a certain ambiance which our impression of the space will ultimately depend on. The three main elements that constitute this space are the physical setting, the added props, and the atmosphere it creates; the first one refers to the basic scenery of a space which is responsible for its ‘essence’. This usually only consists of the floor, ceiling, and walls. This primary element is responsible for giving us a first ‘feel’ of a space and significantly impacts our first impression of it. The second indicates every physical object, or ‘prop’ that is added to the space, including furniture, accessories, decorations, etc. These components stand out to us as they are what reflect more specific aspects of a space that the latter is showing, such as its level of comfort its purpose, its personality, etc. Finally, the third, which focuses on the ambiance created by a space, refers to the more subtle psychologically impactful elements such as the amount of light and shadow allowed in, the colours used, and the overall composition of all the elements of the space as they greatly influence the way we perceive it. All these elements affect the general impression and feeling a place gives us upon entering it, and ultimately also our emotional and mental state.
The psychology of space exists for every single space we enter, such as libraries: as they are designed to be used for long periods of time, they are created in a way that conveys a sense of comfort, order, and calmness, which is often shown through wooden walls, neutral colours, and comfortable seating. Fast food restaurants, by contrast, are designed to encourage a quick turnover: as their entire purpose is to sell food that should be eaten quickly, their colours usually consist of vibrant ones such as red, to subconsciously encourage customers to eat faster and leave. The furniture also communicates this as it usually takes the form of cheap tables, uncomfortable seats, and harsh lighting.
In conclusion, the various factors, which include light and shadow, colour, composition, and style, all play a role in creating a certain atmosphere for a dedicated space; this type of psychology is what is used in the architecture industry to make certain public places more appealing to specific kinds of crowds or simply to leave some sort of impact on people. This concept demonstrates the psychological aspect of architecture, which is often unacknowledged despite its significance, as the concept of conforming to the needs of people in terms of space is, ultimately, the true purpose of architecture.