Psychology of Interior and Individuality

Curiosity – Oli Oli

Oli Oli is an alternative museum that targets children as a unique experience to foster their learning and development. As mentioned on its website, the help of leading educators in the field allowed to create a space in which children’s learning will be boosted. For museums like that, ensuring a smooth flow of visitors and developing appropriate functions is essentials. The colourful design of the space is expected to keep children in it for as long as possible. It should be mentioned that the mental and physical development of children is the focus of the museum, and its interior supports it. As seen from the image below, the colourful design of the playground is appealing to children. This is supported by colour psychology that supports the use of bright colours to engage children in learning activities.

Independence – Personal Office – Workspace

An environment in which a person can express one’s sense of self and personality is detrimental to his or her success and self-independence as a professional. Workspaces can tell a lot about who people are, what are their hobbies, or what are their attitudes toward work. People provide personal objects, such as books, photographs, and memorabilia to feel “at home” and to reflect their personality. Also, the size of a personal office that a person also points to seniority status and the level of power an individual possesses, which aligns with subliminal messages transferred to others. Since workspaces have controlled access for other people, they evoke a sense of newness for visitors. The easier the access and reach to an office, which is a private space, the more comfortable others feel about being there.

Status – Wedding Hall

While a wedding represents a social institution of the bonding of two people, the places in which ceremonies are held say a lot about the intentions of the couples. A luxurious wedding hall reflects the need for prestige and acceptance by society. Social interactions that occur in memorable wedding halls add to the sense of prestige and luxury that one may not encounter elsewhere. Different types of furniture, such as chairs, tables, bar stools, and so on, provide greater opportunities for social interactions. If the furniture is expensive and aesthetically pleasing, it contributes to the prestigious nature of an event and makes the guests desire to have the same level of luxury. As weddings are seen as one of the most important days in the lives of couples, the psychological and interior aspects work together to create a perfect scenario.

Social Contact – Hotel Lobby

With the rapid pace of globalization and the removal of barriers between countries and continents, hotels have become places where people meet, interact, and share their experiences. Hotel lobbies are beginning to be more social, and not because of the WIFI but also because of shared spaces, coffee shops, and other “hang out” places. Friends often decide to meet at hotel lobbies because they are accessible and less crowded compared to other public places. In addition, the fact that hotel lobbies are areas that are easy to control socially, they represent more benefits than uncontrollable public areas, which can have an adverse effect on human beings (in the image – Omni Frisco Hotel, US). In crowded environments, people may sense panic and the need to orient themselves in space. In hotel lobbies, crowds do not occur, which makes them superior to other public areas.

Vengeance – Sports Club

Sports clubs are high-pressure environments in which every person is focused on the accomplishment of his or her fitness goals. Because of this, gyms represent strength and competitive spirit, in which peoples try to show their advantages over others. In terms of equipment, there is noticeable competition among brands that produce different products for sports clubs. As to the interior, gyms are usually simplistic and have streamlined designs. However, bright colours are used often; as seen from the example, the walls are painted yellow (CMG Sport Clune, Salles). This colour represents happiness, optimism, and creativity, all of which are positive contributors to fitness success. In addition, gyms use energetic and fast-paced music to encourage visitors and inspire them to work on their fitness through enhanced competition.

Honour – Museum

Museums are interesting topics to discuss because there is a variety of approaches to their organization. The key purpose of a museum is to maintain a certain tradition or a piece of national or personal heritage. Depending on the location or the history of a museum, their contents reflect the traditions that they intended to represent and share with visitors. As seen from the interior of the museum in the photo (Museu Nacional D’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain), there is a combination of architectural elements of the building and the art that is being presented to visitors. This means that the walls of the museum itself are of artistic and historical value. However, the museum also has plain spaces the focus of which are different art objects that are not a part of the building itself. Human reactions to design are varied and depend on their past experiences, values, and tastes.

Idealism – House

The desire of a person to have a house that will be the perfect representation of themselves is very common in society. Owning a house relates to the motivation to be a part of society and improve it through significant contributions. Most of the time, people who own houses want to share them with other people, show them off to friends and family, and create an overall ideal image of a space that belongs to a person. Symbolism plays a significant role in houses because they are filled with objects that have specific meanings for their owners. For example, framed photographs that are part of the interior have sentimental value to the owners. Other elements of a house, such as a kitchen or a dining room, are representative of a sense of family and community.

Physical Expertise – Kid’s Area

In order to develop successfully both physically and mentally, children have to be surrounded by positive environments that benefit their well-being. Playgrounds, entertainment rooms, parks, and other spaces encourage the social development of children and foster a sense of belonging in them. Kids’ areas usually encourage movement as the main activity, which is beneficial for both psychological and physiological development. The interiors should be suitable, which means that there should not be any dangerous parts or pieces of furniture. The colour scheme, as seen from the image, should be colourful and varied. This need is rooted in colour psychology as children learn better with the help of colour and also react better to them. Also, some colours can be stimulating while others are relaxing.

Romance – Bedroom, Restaurants

The connections between the environment and the feeling of romance are strong, which is why some spaces are considered more romantic than others. There are several distinct features of romance and include lighting, colours, scents, plants or flowers, as well as other objects. Feminine environments are seen as those that have more romantic characteristics because they include a variety of different objects that are comforting (for example, pillows, candles, flowers) and attractive. Romantic symbols such as hearts have special meanings as they represent the feeling of love, partnership, and belonging. As seen from the image, a romantic space has different textures, such as the sheer curtains, the thick rug, the combination of light and dark colours, as well as lights. The interplay of these components creates an inviting feeling and adds to the romantic aspect of the space.

Family – Living Rooms

For some people, living rooms represent the heart of a home and a space in which a family gathers to spend some time together. The spaciousness of the living room from the image below is a testament to the fact that families often want to do multiple activities there such as watch television or play a board game. As seen in the example of the living room below, there are multiple seating areas in which family members can situate themselves and engage with others. The seats are located in a half-circle with another seating area in the centre, which means that people can face each other and have conversations. Also, such objects as the fireplace, framed photographs, pillows, and rugs add to the “homey” atmosphere of the space and make it inviting for family members.

Order – Food Truck

As food trucks have become convenient methods of selling foods to customers, their interiors and exteriors are becoming more advanced. Inside, a truck is organized in such a way that is convenient for its users so that dishes can be prepared and served as quickly and efficiently as possible. If to look at the image, space is predominantly made of steel because it is durable and easy to clean. Each area has a function: while the worktops are where most of the preparation and cooking is done, the cabinets are used for the storage of the products. Therefore, food truck interiors are functional and minimal to eliminate distractions and ensure the successful management of a consistent flow of customers.

Eating – Bakery

Bakeries are generally considered comforting environments in which people can meet and eat. A defining characteristic of bakeries is the distinct smell of fresh bread or pastries that attracts customers and encourages them to purchase something. As seen from the image, which is the interior of a famous French bakery chain Paul, the space in bakeries is smaller than in regular restaurants because they are usually meant for fewer people to attend them. The interior is the main way in which the eating experience is enhanced. The example shows that the space is decorated with photographs and prints, interesting lighting solutions, warm colours, and vintage-looking furniture. Such an environment enhances the experience of visitors and makes them return in the future.

Acceptance – Meeting Room

Meeting rooms are functional spaces that allow large groups of people to gather together and discuss relevant topics, most of which are linked to business and social affairs. People that visit meeting rooms require a simple, creative, comfortable, and focused environment that will fit their needs. In large meetings, people need approval from their colleagues, and in a large setting, this desire is higher than in others. In addition, it is expected that meeting room furniture is located in an oval shape to create seating area circles that encourage closer interactions between people. Also, meeting rooms are also expected to ensure good sound levels, which is important for coaching sessions or business presentations during which a person gives a speech in front of an audience.

Tranquillity – Garden

Being around nature has been proven to have a positive impact on the psychological well-being of many people. Gardens transfer a special kind of tranquillity that is hard to encounter in a high-pressure environment. As an activity, gardening has proven to reduce anxiety and stress among those who do it and enhance people’s self-care and self-improvement practices. From the psychological perspective, the colour green is attributed to positive feelings and a sense of health and good luck. It is thought to be useful for relieving stress and healing mental issues that hamper the well-being of people on a regular basis. Gardens can be of any size, with the space they occupy depending on the needs and desires of their owners. In the image (unknown location in Sweden), the garden is simple and has a unique deck in the centre, with chairs and plant pots to create a sense of comfort, which encourages relaxation.

Saving – Bank

Banks represent a sense of security that people cannot get elsewhere. Despite the fact that such sense has been criticised as “fake” as there are too many instances when banks have failed to offer the protection of clients’ assets, they are still commonly used. The interior of the majority of banks is usually clean and simple in order to be viewed as professional and trustworthy (in the image – Trustmark Bank). Banks with longstanding history and tradition have a different approach to interior design, they are usually grand and located in old buildings that ensure that the clients feel protected. In addition, the customers who visit banks should feel near to independent: make their decisions without outside help while also being supported by specialists. Security plays a crucial role in banks because of the need to protect the financial assets of banks’ clients.