Transform Your Space, Transform Your Life: How to Use Interior Design for Positive Change
The way we design and decorate our spaces has a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. Interior design isn't just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that inspires, nurtures, and motivates us in our daily lives. Whether you’re looking to refresh your home or make a significant change, using intentional design choices can dramatically improve your quality of life. Here's how you can revamp your space and unlock its full potential, with insights from renowned designers and celebrities.
1. Start with Decluttering: Clear Space, Clear Mind
One of the most effective ways to inspire positive change in your home is by decluttering. A tidy space leads to a clearer mind, reduces stress, and promotes productivity. As organizational expert and Netflix star Marie Kondo says, "When you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past in order too." Kondo’s KonMari Method, which emphasizes keeping only items that spark joy, has gained a massive following because of its simplicity and effectiveness in transforming lives.
Marie Kondo has been featured in Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Vogue Magazine, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as well as on numerous major Japanese television and radio programs.
Action Tip:
Start by assessing each room. Remove items that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. Once your space is clear, you’ll find it easier to introduce new design elements that breathe life into your home.
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2. Incorporate Nature: Bring the Outdoors In
Bringing elements of nature indoors can significantly enhance the atmosphere of your home. Studies have shown that natural elements like plants, wood, and sunlight improve mood, reduce stress, and increase focus. Biophilic design—an approach that incorporates natural materials and elements into interiors—has gained immense popularity in recent years. Interior designer Nate Berkus advocates for incorporating greenery and natural textures into your home. "Plants bring a home to life, quite literally. They add color, texture, and energy to any space," Berkus says.
Nate and his design firm, Nate Berkus Associates, have been featured in Architectural Digest, ELLE Decor, House Beautiful, VOGUE, InStyle, and Harper's Bazaar, among others. The firm continues to be named to the prestigious AD100 list and ELLE Decor A-List. Nate has authored two books: the New York Times-bestselling Home Rules (2005) and The Things That Matter (2012), with a new book coming out in Fall 2025.
Action Tip:
Place houseplants in key areas like the living room or kitchen. Opt for easy-to-care-for plants like snake plants, succulents, or pothos. Additionally, you can introduce natural wood furniture, stone accents, and large windows to let in more light.
3. Use Color to Influence Mood
Color plays a pivotal role in interior design, as it has the power to influence your emotions and energy levels. Warm tones like yellow, red, and orange evoke feelings of happiness and excitement, while cooler tones such as blue, green, and lavender are calming and soothing. Famed interior designer Kelly Wearstler, known for her bold and eclectic style, says, "Color is one of the most transformative tools you have in your design arsenal. It can create the mood and set the tone for how you experience a space."
She has designed properties for clients such as Gwen Stefani, Cameron Diaz and Stacey Snider, and served as a judge on all episodes of Bravo's 'Top Design' reality contest in 2007 and 2008.
Action Tip:
If you're looking to boost creativity and energy, consider using vibrant hues like orange in your workspace or a bold yellow in the kitchen. For relaxation, go for soft blues and greys in your bedroom. Don’t be afraid to experiment with accent walls or colorful furniture to make a statement.
4. Prioritize Lighting: Illuminate Your Life
Good lighting is key to setting the tone of your home. Natural light is the best option for energizing spaces, but the right combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting can also significantly impact how you feel. Celebrity designer Joanna Gaines, star of 'Fixer Upper', emphasizes the importance of layering lighting in a space: "Lighting should be both functional and beautiful, creating warmth and atmosphere."
Joanna Gaines is an American interior designer, television personality, and author. She co-hosted the home renovation show Fixer Upper, which began airing on HGTV in 2013, alongside her husband Chip Gaines.
Action Tip:
Assess the natural light in each room and use sheer curtains to maximize sunlight. For evening ambiance, layer lighting with a mix of floor lamps, table lamps, and ceiling lights. Consider using dimmer switches to control the mood of the room depending on the time of day.
5. Personalize Your Space: Make It Yours
The most inspiring spaces are those that reflect the personality and passions of the people who live in them. Oprah Winfrey, a long-time advocate for intentional living, once said, "Your home should rise up to meet you." A home that feels like "you" can be a sanctuary and a place where creativity and joy flow freely.
Oprah walks us through how she turned her house into a home that’s all her own. She originally shared her story in the piece “Making Room for Me” in the March 2013 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.
Action Tip:
Incorporate personal elements like family photos, travel souvenirs, and meaningful art. These items tell your story and create a sense of comfort and familiarity. Mix old with new—combining vintage pieces with modern accents—to create a space that feels both timeless and uniquely yours.
6. Optimize for Comfort: Create Relaxation Zones
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever to design areas of your home that promote relaxation and comfort. Celebrity interior designer Bobby Berk, from 'Queer Eye', emphasizes creating intentional "zones" for different activities: “Every room should have a purpose and every space should cater to your needs.”
In addition to the rapid growth of Bobby Berk brand, his Netflix show 'Queer Eye' has been nominated for 35 Emmy Awards and won 11, including Outstanding Structured Reality Program in 2023, for which Bobby took home his first Emmy. As the resident designer on the show and a member of the Fab Five, Bobby helps bring change to people’s lives by starting within their homes.
Action Tip:
Designate cozy corners for reading, meditating, or simply unwinding. Use plush textiles like throw blankets, cushions, and rugs to create a soft, inviting space. Ensure that your furniture, especially seating, prioritizes comfort without sacrificing style.
7. Think of Functionality: Form Meets Purpose
It’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful piece of furniture, but if it doesn’t serve a practical purpose, it could detract from the functionality of your space. As design expert and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe states, "Your space should not only be chic but also functional and cater to your lifestyle needs."
Zoe makes her exceptional taste and expertise accessible to the fashion savvy as Creative Director of the Rachel Zoe Collection. Zoe is Founder and CURATEUR-in-Chief of the luxury fashion, beauty and lifestyle subscription service, CURATEUR by Rachel Zoe and serves as Founder and Editor-at-Large of online style destination, The Zoe Report, which covers fashion and beauty trends and inspiration and reaches over 14 million monthly users worldwide.
Action Tip:
Before purchasing any new item, consider its practicality. Invest in multifunctional furniture, such as ottomans with storage, fold-out desks, or modular sofas, to maximize space and create a design that serves your daily life.
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8. Embrace Minimalism: Less is More
Minimalist design is more than just a trend—it’s a way of life that encourages simplicity and mindfulness. Joshua Becker, minimalist advocate, points out, “The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t.” By focusing on what truly matters and eliminating excess, you create a space that feels open, peaceful, and clutter-free.
Becker has written four books on minimalism and intentional living, which have collectively sold hundreds of thousands of copies and have been translated from English into several languages including Chinese, Spanish, German, and Polish.
Action Tip:
Include clean lines and open spaces in your design. Limit decorative pieces to items that have meaning or purpose. Minimalism doesn’t mean your home has to be sterile or boring; rather, it’s about making thoughtful choices to enhance both form and function.
Final Thoughts: Your Home, Your Haven
Interior design has the power to transform not just your living space, but also your outlook on life. By incorporating these tips from experts and celebrities, you can design a home that inspires creativity, promotes relaxation, and fosters happiness. Remember, your home is a reflection of you, and when you design it with intention, it becomes a space that nurtures and motivates.
Start small, experiment, and most importantly—make it your own. As famed designer Coco Chanel said, “An interior is the natural projection of the soul.”
References:
1. *Marie Kondo's KonMari Method*: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (Netflix)
2. *Nate Berkus' Design Philosophy*: Nate Berkus Official Website
3. *Kelly Wearstler on Color*: Kelly Wearstler Official Blog
4. *Joanna Gaines on Lighting*: Magnolia Blog by Joanna Gaines
5. *Oprah Winfrey on Home and Intentional Living*: Oprah.com
6. *Bobby Berk on Creating Functional Spaces*: Queer Eye (Netflix)
7. *Rachel Zoe on Functional Design*: The Zoe Report
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