Take a leaf out of the Nordic approach and soothe your nervous system by decluttering, embracing organic materials and letting daylight take centre stage 

By Laura Dweck

Lead image: Ercol chaise and table

Ever wondered why the interiors of a boutique hotel make your shoulders drop, or the hospitality at a friend’s immaculate home instantly calms? The impact of your surroundings has more of an impact on your wellbeing than we give it credit for. It resets your nervous system – so how can your design choices enhance this further?

Research has proven that an increase in clutter actually raises cortisol levels. Decluttering, of course, takes time to stay on top of – so proper storage is the key to prevention here. For those renovating, built-ins are the way forward in living spaces, boot rooms and bedrooms, or if budget can’t stretch, an Ikea hack will see you through. For the rest of us without the clean slate of a renovation, I urge you to get your dopamine hit through drawer dividers and a label maker. You can thank me later.  

So Souk plant selection

Another design consideration that can have a proven impact on your physiological state? The humble houseplant. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, houseplants have a positive mental and physical impact on our health. Whether that’s planting bulbs in the depths of January to give a glimpse of spring or placing an air-purifying plant such as the Snake Plant or Weeping Fig. 

For the non-green fingered amongst us, faking it can still have a calming effect – anything to remind us of the restorative impact of nature. If plastic doesn’t feel right, then have a look at So Souk’s paper plants. I’m particularly in love with the cottage garden vibes of the Foxglove.

Consistently dominating the top spots in the World Happiness Report are Nordic countries, with many adopting a ‘friluftsliv’ (open-air life) philosophy to their lifestyle, taking their cue from nature to promote wellbeing. If ice baths and foraging aren’t your thing, there are still natural elements we can incorporate into our homes to enhance our health.

Sofa in Scandi linen. Arlo & Jacob

Blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors could be interpreted as literally bringing elements of nature indoors to feel the benefits – a live-edge wooden table, an olive wood candlestick, or anything in an organic material can all prompt restorative qualities by lowering your heart rate and triggering the production of endorphins.

The pared back nature of Nordic interiors promotes a restful ambience, from pale colours to bounce daylight around, uncluttered surfaces for the eyes to rest and the practical simplicity of simple wooden floors with flat weave rugs. This ode to motifs from nature is evident in typical Scandinavian patterns – from stripes and gingham that add interest without creating busyness to folk-inspired, simplified florals and plants. 

Something that encapsulates this perfectly is the ‘Vine’ rug from Cath Kidston at Next – made from natural wool and cotton, which so many rugs seem to be shunning in favour of washable plastic, and available in that all important 200 x 300cm size designed for furniture to sit on. Team with a palette of green-blue hues to fully embrace the approach of spring.

Feeling a connection with the passage of seasons does wonders for the mental state, even when we’re reluctant to bid farewell to those longer carefree days of summer. To feel closer to nature from the comfort of your sofa, prioritise views of the sky and trees. Frame the vistas of the changing state of foliage by painting window frames black and, like a picture frame, it acts to focus the eyes on what’s through the window. 

Indoor plant pot, Gardenesque

For the renovators, get crafty with well-placed skylights, and the rest, consider window treatments that don’t block the precious serotonin-inducing daylight – particularly the all-important top half of the window, which brings in a better quality of light, penetrating deeper into the room. This could be as simple as rehanging curtains outside of the frame. Don’t get me wrong, I think a pelmet or teaming a blind with a curtain has magical qualities when it comes to creating a well-layered window treatment, but this look can still be achieved by just pushing everything up towards the ceiling. 

Like most things in life, you get out what you put in, so don’t dismiss the humble home as merely shelter. By considering it alongside the HIIT workouts, collagen powders and clean foods, you can create a retreat that works alongside these and reap the health benefits.