Green Design and Environmental Design Psychology
Ideas for Homemakers
By
Jeanette Joy Fisher
Innovative interior design trends blend
nature-based details and ecology concerns along with
the residents' emotional well-being. Use "Green
Design," or earth-friendly products, together
with interior design psychology to create the
most harmonious home. Not only will your
kindness make the earth happy, your home will
support your emotional needs, too!
Choose design details to support emotions from
ideas inspired by the greatest designer - Mother
Earth. Mother Nature knows best how to blend
light, shadows, colors, patterns, textures, and
form.
Examine the outdoors. Look at the water, trees,
sky, ground, and clouds. At first glance, you may
only see colors: greens, blues, browns, and whites.
Take a closer inspection; notice the multitude of
miniature patterns, the grains of sand, millions of
leaves, colors, textures and other tiny details.
Observe the changing sky: glorious sunrises, blue
skies, white fluffy clouds, stormy dark clouds,
brilliant and soft sunsets, and the millions of
twinkling stars.
Environmental Design Psychology
Home Makeover Ideas
1. Bring Nature
Indoors
We naturally respond to nature and feel comforted
by interiors which connect us to the earth.
Use flowers and live plants instead of fake silk
plants. Besides natural beauty, you get natural air
filters without using electrical, noisy air filters.
Tending to your plants relieves stress while helping
to clean your environment. Plants and flowers
shouldn't be left to grand events (births, weddings,
funerals, holidays, hospital visits, birthdays, and
anniversaries). Include plants and flowers in your
home makeover design plan.
Some effective natural air filtering houseplants:
| Plant Name |
Mainly Effective
Against |
|
Bromeliad, Aloe, Spider Plant, Poinsettia,
Weeping Fig, Philodendron
|
Formaldehyde |
| Chinese
Evergreen
|
Benzene |
| Bamboo Palm,
Chrysanthemum, Miniature Umbrella Plant |
Benzene,
Formaldehyde |
| Janet Craig
(dracaena) |
Benzene,
Trichloroethylene |
| Peace Lily ,
Madagascar Dragon Tree, Golden Pothos, Gerbera
Daisy, English Ivy, Mother-in-law's Tongue,
Warneckii (dracaena) |
Benzene,
Trichloroethylene, Formaldehyde |
| Orchid |
Ammonia,
Acetone, Formaldehyde |
2. Decorate with
Natural Colors
Because we're accustomed to seeing so many
details in nature, we also like man-made spaces with
details instead of the stark, colorless (all white),
lifeless interior spaces often created today by
designers or home makers who believe that they're
making a relaxing, clutter-free space. Use buttery,
sunny yellows or calming blues and greens on walls
to make your rooms feel warm in a cool climate or
cool in a hot climate.
You can also change accessory colors with the
seasons to support your emotional needs.
3. Decorate with
Natural Patterns
People prefer organic, swirling patterns over
geometric patterns. Also, don't use large patterns
because big patterns complete with the people in the
space. Use a balance of small and medium
patterns with plenty of free space for calming
rooms. To fill a large space to encourage
liveliness, use more upbeat, undulating patterns.
4. Decorate with Natural Textures
Use pure cottons, linens, silks, and hemp
fabrics. Consider environmentally friendly flooring
like bamboo or wood from sources that grow trees.
(These tress would never be planted and benefit the
earth if the companies couldn't harvest them.)
If you're planning a room or home makeover, consider
copying Mother Nature with your design details.
Colors, patterns, and textures from nature will make
you, your family, and guests feel great. Don't
forget to garden indoors and think about how your
choices affect the environment. Combine "Green
Design" with Environmental Psychology and you're on your way
to a harmonious home!
Copyright 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher
Home Decorating Interior Design Ideas
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Gathering Spaces
