How Beauty Impacts Your Brain: The Science Behind Interior Design
I could spend the rest of my life looking at this pretty face…
This thought gripped my heart as we drove through the quiet streets of our college town in my girlfriend's yellow Lancer.
I hadn’t bought the ring yet, but that day was coming. Now, Kristy’s undeniable beauty was not the only reason I pursued her.
Attractiveness shouldn’t be the only factor when considering a spouse, but let’s be honest.
Beauty is part of the picture. Not just for romance. But life. And that, in ways that are more consequential than we may want to admit or even realize.
Exposing a False Dichotomy
Something weird has hijacked our innate, God-given desire for beauty. Do any of the following thoughts sound familiar?
Beauty is only skin deep.
Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting.
The list goes on.
There is truth in each of these statements, to be sure. When prioritizing beauty in your day-to-day physical environments, aesthetics can seem frivolous.
But they’re not. You’re handcrafted by a beautiful God who designed a world filled with lavish, gratuitous beauty.
He wants you to enjoy being immersed in beauty. In fact, your mental health depends on it.
Neuroaesthetics and Your Daily Life
While Y2K dominated the world’s attention, a new field of scientific research was quietly born. In 1999, Neuroaesthetics entered the chat before there was a chat to enter.
For the past two-plus decades, these beautiful brains have been identifying what we’ve all been feeling.
Environment matters. Aesthetics impact how we feel. Beauty changes how we think.
Aren’t there spaces where you feel more productive? Or creative?
Have you ever entered a room and somehow felt more peaceful? Can you remember the last time something awe-inspiring stopped you in your tracks? Didn’t you feel a burst of energy or inspiration after the moment passed?
You were designed for this.
The same parts of your brain are impacted by physical pain, social pain – and – exposure to art, music, and natural beauty.
This neural wiring contributes to why patients at art-integrated hospitals recover more quickly.
Taking in beauty and art, in a variety of contexts, has proven to bolster overall well-being and affirm a sense of meaning in life.
Elevate More Than Your Physical Environment with Interior Design
Tucked away in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes is this gem about interior design:
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength…”
Wait, what? How does this apply to interior design? I’m glad you asked!
If you need to split wood, like I did growing up, the sharper the ax, the better. However, sharpening an ax takes time away from swinging it. This feels unproductive.
Prioritizing creating beautiful, functional, inspiring spaces can feel the same way. There are so many things to get done and so few pennies to spare.
Why invest effort, energy, and resources in elevating your boardroom, bedroom, or bathroom?
When you elevate your physical environment, you increase the potential of elevating everything that happens within that space.
Your mood, productivity, social interactions, spiritual vitality, and more.
Synergy is within Reach
Do you want a kitchen that feels inspiring? A bedroom that promotes peace? How about an office where you can enhance productivity and vanquish chaos?
If these aesthetics were in place, could you see how every other function would be enhanced? Synergy is within reach.
You don’t need to be stressed out by making wholesale changes. Just take it a few steps at a time.
Incorporate vibrant plants.
Choose new paint colors that elicit the mood you want to feel in a space.
If an extensive renovation is what you need, you don’t have to go it alone. We can help.
“Kristy can walk into a space and see potential. She works with a persons individual style and budget. If a person is unable to find the decor they are interested in, Kristy is able to create original works to fit one’s design style. Kristy appreciates unique and personal touches”
Connect with an Interior Designer who Sees You
You were designed to be immersed in beauty. You deserve to live, work, play, and rest in spaces that enhance your mental health.
Maybe it’s time to sharpen your ax…er…elevate your environment. Beauty has a tremendous impact on your entire being.
Whether you need a recommendation or a renovation, we’ve got you covered! Kristy has been creating safe, inspiring, beautiful, functional spaces for decades.
She knows how to add just the right touch to create the impact you crave.
With extensive experience and a remarkably diverse skill set, Kristy is your one-stop shop for all your interior design needs.
Your home should reflect your heart. Your physical environment should be beautiful and functional. Kristy can help you get there.
Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation to start your transformation!
