Our environment can have a significant impact on our emotional well-being, even if we’re not always aware of it. A calm, organized, and visually pleasing home can foster a sense of tranquility and help reduce stress, while a cluttered and chaotic space might feel overwhelming and diminish motivation.
Recognizing this, members of this online community—though not professional interior designers—have undertaken the task of enhancing their homes to make them more beautiful and relaxing. From creating cozy closet offices to executing impressive kitchen makeovers, these DIY interior design projects illustrate that with effort and creativity, anyone can improve their living space.
While you’re exploring these inspiring transformations, be sure to read our conversation with interior designer Katie Cardew, who offers valuable insights on how to design spaces that positively affect our mental health.
1. Conservatory Used As A Library Opening Up To The Garden
2 Turned Our Den Into A Lounge
3 A Side Table I Made To Look Like A Sitting Guy. Solid Walnut
It’s estimated that urban populations spend 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, some professionals use this knowledge to improve the emotional impact of our spaces. Bored Panda reached out to interior designer Katie Cardew, who kindly agreed to give us some advice on how to create an environment that leaves a positive effect on our mental health.
She told us that the most important thing we can do to create a room that makes us feel good is to decorate it with things we love.
“While a neutral, minimalist room might make one person feel zen and happy, to another person it could make them feel like they can’t put their feet up and relax, always worried about making a mess. Decorating your living space is very personal, and whenever I work with clients, I spend a long time picking over their day-to-day routine and working through magazine photos, trying to pinpoint how they need a room to function and then how best to decorate to make them feel most at home.”
4 My Mom Completely Rebuilt Her Home After A Wildfire Burned A Large Portion Of It. She Did Everything Herself Without A General Contractor
5 My Alteration Of The Old Balcony – “Before” And “After”. A Bit Of Comfort, Belarus
6 A Friend’s Dorm Room Every Piece Of Furniture Was Under 20€, Everything Was Thrifted Or Acquired From Friends/Family
Something else she sees as majorly significant in a room is color and texture. “One thing I see over and over again is clients coming to me because they have somehow managed to always pick grey paint and grey furniture, and that’s ultimately making them feel drab and down.
Greys and beiges can be colors people default to because they feel comfortable using them, but they don’t always work to create rooms that lift people’s spirits. Color doesn’t have to be scary – pick two or three colors from a paint chart and base your walls, furniture, and accessories around them.”
7 White Oak Arched Pantry. Detroit, Mi. Highly Functional But Mostly Gorgeous. Favorite Build Yet
8 Micro Office I Created Out Of A Really Junky Hall Closet
9 Bottle Green Tiles With A Hint Of Gold Chrome Plated Accessories – Love The Contrast In This Bathroom
She also suggests mixing two to three patterns with the already chosen colors. “When using patterns, a really easy, fail-safe tip is to pick one stripe, one large-scale pattern, and one smaller-scale pattern. Pair these with one or two plain fabrics, and you have just created a scheme! Work out where you want to use each fabric (curtains/headboard/cushions/armchair) and if you love the colors and patterns, you will invariably love the room you are creating.”
10 Low Budget Seating Area I Made Myself, It’s Not Much But I’m Proud Of It
