Most people think “calm home” is about color or clutter. Those matter. But your nervous system has an even faster opinion: what your home feels like. The surfaces you touch, the textures you brush past, the air you breathe, and the temperature you experience all send constant “safe / not safe” signals. I have heard from clients, from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City and Park City that their homes feel off. This is your nervous system reacting to these signals.

I am in full belief that every room in our home affects our mental and emotional health- how we respond to different aspects of each room, i.e. color, lighting, and even accessories all play an important role in our daily lives. So what does that mean for our bathrooms? And how do we define the word “moody” within this design perspective?

How to reduce visual noise without going minimalist (and why your brain will thank you). 

Let’s talk about the thing nobody admits out loud: sometimes your home is fine… but you still feel a little on-edge in it. Not because you’re “messy.” Not because you need to become a minimalist. But because your space is asking your brain to process too much, too often. Design is self care. And clarity is one of the fastest ways to feel that, because clarity isn’t about having less. It’s about having less visual negotiation.

I believe design is a form of self-care: because your home is the one environment you live inside every day.

And if your home feels mentally loud, it’s not because you’re “bad at decorating.” It’s usually because your space is doing something sneaky: it’s asking your brain questions all day.

Most health-conscious people are diligent about diet, exercise, and even mental health check-ups. But there’s one pillar of wellness that often gets neglected: our home environment. We spend the majority of our waking hours in indoor, built environments with much of that time in our own homes. These spaces can profoundly influence our mood and stress levels. Yet many of us simply “deal with” our living space rather than actively caring for it. 

Designing a luxury home isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about crafting a sanctuary that makes you feel as good as it looks. Modern neuroaesthetics and environmental psychology research show that elements like lighting, spatial layout, and materials can profoundly influence our mood and wellness. In other words, a beautifully designed home can support a healthier, happier you. Below, we explore how thoughtful adjustments in light, space, and texture can elevate well-being, backed by science yet styled for luxury living.

Moody interiors get mislabeled as “dark” when they’re really about depth of the design. These are spaces that feel like an exhale when you arrive home after a long day. And yes, there’s science behind why certain color palettes can evoke a strong feeling of restoration and relaxation.

My approach to interiors is design as self-care. We spend nearly 87% of our time indoors, so our surroundings have a profound impact on our health and our happiness. That’s why, with my clients, I emphasize natural light and clutter-free spaces since scientific studies have show these elements reduce stress and boost mood.

The Mindful Design Journal is where design meets intention. It's a space to explore the art and science of how interiors influence well-being.