Interior Design: Its Effects on Human Health. From the tile on the floor in which people walk on, to the lighting and fan that hang above

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1 Montooth 1 Taylor Montooth Mr. Smith Brit Lit 6 November 2017 Interior Design: Its Effects on Human Health From the tile on the floor in which people walk on, to the lighting and fan that hang above them, choices in interior design matter. Interior designing and decorating can transform a house into a home in many ways. Although many home owners choose to decorate their houses according to their tastes and interests, human health effects should be taken into consideration when decorating. The rooms lighting, color, furniture layout, finishes, and décor all have effects on the human body in physical, emotional, and mental ways. Before jumping right into redesigning and redecorating rooms, home owners should consider hiring an interior designer or decorator to give advice on how to properly transform rooms. The lighting of a room can play a huge roll in the how the body functions. When choosing lighting for a room, artificial lighting should try to be avoided because it can physically harm one s eyes. Some artificial lights, such as LED lights and technology screens, transmit blue light waves which strain the eyes. Research from the International Dark-Sky Association suggests that bodies produce the hormone melatonin in response to circadian rhythm ( Human Health ). The author of the article continues by saying, [Melatonin] has antioxidant properties, induces sleep, boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol, and helps the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. However, melatonin production is suppressed when the body is exposed to artificial lighting at night. Artificial lighting that contains an

2 Montooth 2 abundance of blue light can seriously harm the body. Not only do artificial lights affect the body physically, they can affect the brain s mental state too. The intensities of lights are linked to stress. Low lights, or lights that are lower in intensity, can cause the brain to be more relaxed and less stressed. Lights that are too high, or even too low, in intensity cause stress levels to increase. In a cross-cultural study of indoor working environments, workers were placed into different light intensities while they worked. The results of the study concluded that the workers' mood was at its lowest when the lighting was experienced as much too dark. The mood then improved and reached its highest level when the lighting was experienced as just right, but when it became too bright the mood declined again ( The Impact of Light and Colour on Psychological Mood: A Cross-Cultural Study of Indoor Work Environments ). So, light intensities can cause one s stress levels to fluctuate. To decrease stress, light intensities should be adjusted according to an environment s purpose. When sleeping, there should be little to no light. When trying to accomplish a task visually, stronger and brighter light intensities are suitable. In conclusion, all living organisms need light to thrive, but too much exposure to artificial lighting and inappropriate lighting adjustments can harm the body. Although it is difficult to eliminate artificial lighting completely, it should at least be limited. There should be a window present in every room to provide natural sunlight, and light intensities should be adjusted appropriately to keep the body healthy. Colors and patterns also have a big impact on the body. When it comes to painting a wall or choosing a color scheme for a room, one should not just choose their favorite colors. Different colors have different wave intensities that can play with one s emotions. The color of a room can trigger one to be more happy, sad, angry, or even hungry. Colors should be chosen based on the room s purpose. For example, an article from Harrington College informs that rich, bold colors

3 Montooth 3 and earth tones are good choices for the dining room because they create feelings of warmth and aid digestion. If the kitchen is used for food preparation, and the dining room is where family and friends enjoy meals, then colors including red, orange and brown used in the kitchen are also suitable in the dining room ( Colors and Moods: The Psychological Impact of Paint Colors ). With that being said, pale colors are not typically the best choices for dining rooms and kitchens. The author also mentions that red is an unlikely choice for a living room because it may be too stimulating and can even raise blood pressure ( Colors and Moods: The Psychological Impact of Paint Colors ). It is much easier to relax and sleep in a room that has neutral or calming colors than a room that has bright or exciting colors. Not only do colors and patterns affect people emotionally, but they can affect people mentally as well. According to a study, different pattern scales for wall-covering and carpet have been shown to influence children s play behaviors, and the scale and enclosure of study spaces has been shown to influence the task performance of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Jennifer Webb). When a child is introduced to a crazy design or bright colors, his or her brain will become more stimulated. However, a play room that has too many patterns may stimulate the brain too much, causing stress. Since they can affect one s mood and education, colors, color schemes, and patterns should be carefully examined before being chosen for a room. Another factor that affects the body is space and furniture layout. A room s space and furniture layout should allow for a person to physically move around well. For example, a kitchen should not be cluttered, but very spacious, with furniture and décor surrounding it rather than in the middle of it. A spacious kitchen allows one to cook without anything being in the way. Also, Jennifer Webb, an associate professor of interior design from Fay Jones School of Architecture, informs that interior designers allocate space for circulation and arrange both exits and

4 Montooth 4 furnishings to make sure that individuals across the range of human functioning can access all parts of a space and conduct desired activities. Additionally, these elements ensure that people can safely exit a building during an emergency (Jennifer Webb). Therefore, a room should have open access to a window and door to allow for an exit, creating a safe environment. A room that has an improper layout and small amount of space can also cause stress. There is nothing more stressful than to walk into a room that has cluttered furniture and very little space. For instance, Nancy Kwallek, author of an informative newsletter titled Implications, states that people should [create] office work spaces that are inviting, uplifting, and energetic is a worthy design goal. Designers need to understand how spaces affect individuals so they can design spaces that counterbalance the chaos and stress of everyday life and create environments of personal wellbeing (Nancy Kwallek). As clutter increases and space decreases, stress increases. With that being said, rooms should be clutter-free and clean to reduce stress. When choosing a finish for a room and its furniture, whether it be paint, stain, or gloss, physical health effects should be considered. Some finishes can be physically harmful when they come into contact with the body. The author of an article from North Dakota State University informs to avoid finishes and materials containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Vinyl chloride is classified as a known human carcinogen through inhalation and touch (Ann Marie Ragan). PVCs are widely used and are found in many plastics that are used on an everyday basis. However, high amounts of PVCs that are found in finishes and materials are toxic to the body. Therefore, people and other organisms should not be exposed to them. Other harmful chemicals that are found in many finishes and materials are Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. These may be found in paints, some furniture, and even carpets. The article also states, VOCs are toxic to people and pets. As more and more finishes containing VOCs are introduced into an interior

5 Montooth 5 environment, the problem is compounded (Ann Marie Ragan). Both of these chemicals can irritate the eyes and nose and cause respiratory diseases. Therefore, PVCs and VOCs should be avoided as much as possible when choosing a finish for a room and its furniture and décor so that a house can be a healthy environment for everybody. When it comes to remodeling a room, decorating is usually the most exciting part. Adding décor can really change a room and give a room its theme. However, research shows that over the past 30-plus years, American incomes have grown by 20 percent, houses have nearly doubled in size, and yet society hasn t become any happier (Mariia Lvovych). Although many home owners like to own fancy material possessions, including unique or extravagant decorations, they forget that some of the best decorations are least expensive and most effective. Natural decorations, such as plants, are great decorations because they are beautiful, provide clean and quality air, and reduce stress. An article published by Colorado State University informs that the quality of [one s] interior environment where [the average person spends] more than 90 percent of [his or her] time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency can have a huge impact on [his or her] health and well-being (Gretchen Gerding). Such little exposure to nature can cause one to become more stressed. To make up for exterior environment, a plant can make the perfect decoration for any room. Its presence can reduce stress levels by giving a room a feeling of the outdoors and promoting clean air. Salt rock lamps also make beautiful, natural decorations because they generate negative ions, which promote clean air. With the help of nature, homeowners can achieve efficient, yet cheap, décor. Interior designing and decorating has a major impact on the human body physically, mentally, and emotionally. Although many home owners choose to decorate their houses according to their tastes and interests, human health effects should be taken into consideration when decorating.

6 Montooth 6 The rooms lighting, color, furniture layout, finishes, and décor all have effects on the human body. Before attempting to recreate a house or room, homeowners should consider getting advice from or hiring interior decorators and designers to achieve an appealing, welcoming, and healthy new home for anybody who walks inside.

7 Montooth 7 Works Cited "Colors and Moods: The Psychological Impact of Paint Colors." Harrington College of Design, 19 Dec. 2013, december%202013/colors-and-moods-the-psychological-impact-of-paint-colors. Accessed 25 Sept Gerding, Gretchen. "How interior environments affect health, well-being." Colorado State University, Oct. 2016, source.colostate.edu/ events-offer-insight-on-how-buildings-interior-environment-affects-health-well-be ing/. Accessed 25 Sept "Human Health." International Dark-Sky Association, 2012, light-pollution/human-health/. Accessed 25 Sept Kwallek, Nancy. "Color in Office Environments." Implications. InformeDesign, Accessed 25 Sept Lvovych, Mariia. "How Interior Design and Color Affects Human Happiness." Loop, Mariia Lvovych, 1 Sept. 2015, How_Interior_Design_and_Color_Affects_Human_Happiness/2661. Accessed 25 Sept Ragan, Ann Marie. "Designing a Healthy Interior Environment." North Dakota State University, eat-smart.-play-hard.-magazine-1/ designing-a-healthy-interior-environment. Accessed 25 Sept

8 Montooth 8 "The impact of light and colour on psychological mood: a cross-cultural study of indoor work environments." NCBI, 15 Nov. 2006, Accessed 25 Sept Webb, Jennifer. How does interior design affect health?" Research Frontiers, 13 Apr. 2013, researchfrontiers.uark.edu/how-does-interior-design-affect-health/. Accessed 25 Sept