Design Psychology: How Colours, Light and Textures Shape Our Mood and Performance.
- Calmfidence Council
- Mar 10
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 12
Written by: Isabella Hamann
Member of Calmfidence Council
Our experts are handpicked for their exceptional leadership and share here actionable strategies that empower holistic wellbeing and success.
Our living spaces are much more than just functional places. They influence wellbeing, emotions, and even behaviour. Colours, lighting, textures, and surfaces play a crucial role in shaping the experience of a space, determining whether it feels safe, relaxed, inspired, or worried.
Our environments today have taken on even greater significance. They serve as s safe harbour from daily stress, a space for rest and recovery, a place for connection with loved ones, and a deeply personal sanctuary that supports our needs. But beyond aesthetics, science confirms that we unconsciously absorb the elements of our surroundings—colours, textures, lighting, temperature, and spaciousness—all of which subtly shape our emotional state, energy levels, and performance as a result.
As a designer of deeply rooted in psychology-driven interiors, I am sharing my expertise with leaders who want to create environments that foster both wellbeing and optimal performance. Because the right spatial design can help us de-stress, restore focus, and elevate our daily experience, allowing our surroundings to work for us, rather than against us.
The Effect of Colours on Emotions and Behaviour
Colours have been proven to have a profound impact on our mood and actions. In colour psychology, a distinction is made between warm, cool, and neutral colours, each triggering different reactions in us.
Warm colours create energy and warmth, while cool tones have a calming effect, promoting focus and relaxation. Neutral colours appear elegant, subtle, and harmonious. Colours should be used deliberately to achieve the desired atmosphere.
For example, a living room can be designed with warm tones and earthy shades to encourage sociability and cosiness. In a bedroom, cooler tones can be used to promote relaxation and regeneration. In kitchens and dining areas, bright colours are beneficial as they encourage communication and create an overall positive atmosphere.
In a workspace, subtle and neutral shades are ideal for enhancing concentration.
The right choice of colours and their combinations significantly influence whether a space feels harmonious or overwhelming.
The Importance of Lighting for Wellbeing
Among the many factors influencing how a space feels, light stands out as one of the most powerful. Scientific studies confirm that natural light regulates the circadian rhythm, aligning the body's internal clock with the 24-hour cycle. This process directly impacts hormonal balance, particularly serotonin—the “happiness neurotransmitter” that boosts mood and focus—and melatonin, which signals the body to wind down for restful sleep.
Understanding the design psychological of light allows for the creation of spaces that promote balance, resilience, and productivity, ensuring that environments work in harmony with human needs rather than against them.
Our brains are wired to perceive daylight as the most natural and familiar light source.
This stems from our ancestors, who relied solely on sunlight before discovering fire as a source of warmth and illumination. Over time, warm light became associated with relaxation and safety, helping us maintain inner equilibrium.
Today, we navigate a world filled with multiple light sources, broadly categorised into natural light and artificial lighting. Thoughtfully designed lighting can transform a space, influencing mood, productivity, and emotional comfort.
Workspaces require a combination of natural daylight and neutral, warm-white lighting to reduce fatigue and enhance concentration
Living spaces thrive on a harmonious blend of direct and indirect lighting, offering flexibility between warmth and functionality.
Bedrooms benefit from warm, dimmed lighting to support relaxation and restful sleep.
Children’s rooms should feature diverse lighting solutions to accommodate different activities, from playtime to bedtime routines.
Bathrooms demand bright, neutral lighting to aid visibility and daily grooming rituals.
In essence, light shapes our emotional landscape. Strategic lighting arrangements create different ambiences, with decorative elements like floor and table lamps adding personality. Opting for warm, neutral tones—such as soft whites and warm whites—ensures an inviting and adaptable environment.
A well-balanced interplay between daylight and artificial lighting can seamlessly align spaces with our needs and daily rhythms.
Research from the Lighting Research Center has demonstrated that daylight exposure increases alertness and cognitive performance, while studies from the National Sleep Foundation confirm that exposure to blue light at night disrupts melatonin production, leading to poor sleep quality.
Textures: The Silent Influencers of Interior Perception
Textures are fundamental to our sensory perception of space, defining the way a room feels and functions. A carefully curated mix of textures can create contrast, depth, and a sense of balance.
Smooth, glossy surfaces evoke a sleek, minimalist aesthetic but can sometimes feel cold and impersonal.
Rough, soft textures introduce warmth and cosiness, enhancing comfort.
Velvet, wool, and linen foster a welcoming, tactile environment.
Natural materials like wood, stone, and leather exude authenticity, stability, and grounding energy.
Metallic finishes like stainless steel, chrome, and glass infuse spaces with a modern, industrial edge.
Reflective surfaces amplify brightness, making rooms appear larger and airier.
Take, for example, a rustic wooden dining table paired with plush velvet chairs—this contrast strikes a balance between sophistication and warmth, bridging elegance with natural charm.
A common question in interior design is: what’s the difference between glossy and matte finishes?
Glossy surfaces—such as glass or high-gloss lacquer—reflect light, expand visual space, and add a polished, refined touch.
Matte textures—like natural wood, concrete, or raw stone—absorb light, fostering a grounded, organic atmosphere.
When accentuated intentionally, textures shape the emotional tone of a space, subtly influencing our perception and experience.
Every material carries a distinct psychological imprint, shaping how we feel within a space:
Wood radiates warmth, evoking a sense of calm and connection to nature.
Stone and concrete convey stability and structure, but when paired with softer materials, they create an inviting contrast.
Glass fosters openness and transparency, enhancing spatial flow.
Metals introduce a contemporary, industrial edge, ideal for accentuating modern aesthetics.
Sustainable, toxin-free materials contribute to better air quality and an overall sense of wellbeing. Natural building materials like wood and clay also regulate humidity, ensuring a more balanced indoor climate.
The Science of Space and Wellbeing
Our physical environment profoundly influences our mental and emotional state, and science supports this connection. From a psychological standpoint, the interplay of light, colour, texture, and materials directly engages our VAKOG sensory system:
Visual: Colours, light and brightness levels trigger different emotional responses.
Auditory: Soft materials absorb sound, creating a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.
Kinesthetic (Touch): Textures define how comfortable and inviting a space feels.
Olfactory (Smell): Natural materials like untreated wood release subtle, calming scents.
Gustatory (Taste): Warm, nurturing spaces influence our sensory experiences, including dining atmospheres.
At a neurological level, the spaces we inhabit influence the release of dopamine (reward and motivation), oxytocin (trust and connection), cortisol (stress response), and serotonin (mood and wellbeing). The way we design our environments can regulate these neurochemical processes, creating a profound mind-body connection.
By integrating these principles, interior spaces can support wellbeing on a subconscious level, transforming our homes into restorative space that align with our natural rhythms. Because at the heart of it all, our spaces are more than just interiors—they are our havens, our homes, our sanctuaries of serenity.
Until next time,
Isabella Hamann
M.A. Interior Design & Expert in Residential and Architectural Psychology
About the Author
Isabella Hamann is the founder of Interior Studio Isabella Hamann, an international luxury design firm renowned for its innovative and opulent creations. She is a multi-award-winning interior designer, recognised as a leader in the field, having won 17 prestigious awards, including the Best Modern Interior Design Studio 2025 – Berlin, recognised by LUX life’s Leaders in Luxury Awards.
As a member of Calmfidence Council, she draws on her wealth of experience integrating psychology-driven design principles, blending luxury with emotional wellbeing.
VISIT TO FIND MORE ABOUT HER WORK
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