Can Good Interior Design be Equated to Science?

Source: Vogue Australia

Can Good Interior Design be Equated to Science?

The Answer is Yes.

Where science meets style to help you design a better version of

your everyday environment.

Gracen Costello

December 2, 2025

Recently, I’ve started noticing my surroundings a bit more

than I used to. I’m not sure if it’s because of my immersion in

the design sphere or that the world is feeling a bit off its axis

at the moment but I’ve found myself slowing down to take

in details I never used to. Sometimes, if I have no structure

to my wandering, I stumble into a busy cafe or moody bar

to take the November nip away from my nose. Immediately I

notice three things: Cohesiveness, Lighting, and a certain je

ne sais quoi. The third thing I usually discover along the way,

whether it’s a vintage collection of media adorning the walls

or a menu with cheeky item names, a hint of personality is

bound to make an interior experience a little more exciting.

When an environment is lit with warmth, organized in an

efficient manner and personally welcoming, I find my mood

is instantly lifted while my nerves are settled. I wondered if

the same conditions applied to people’s homes and if so, why?

What is the science behind why our brains react differently to

different environments? Ultimately, can good interior design

be equated to science?

The answer is yes.

In the last decade, interior design as a profession has only

grown and people have started to understand the benefits

of having a “personalized” space. Specifically within the last

five years, with many jobs becoming fully remote and third

bedrooms becoming makeshift offices, creating environments

that support, comfort and revitalize us has never been more

important. This comprehensive research exploration and de-

sign guide serves as a powerful example of the importance of

human centered design as it explains how mental health and

overall wellbeing can be affected by interior spaces and what

choices you can make to design your life.

Designed by Gracen Costello

Positive Design

The growing attention on how our spaces shape us aligns closely with Desmet and Pohlmeyer’s renowned paper, Positive Design: An Introduction to Design for Subjective Well-Being, published in 2013. This paper is especially important to our understanding of how our spaces reflect our identity as it discusses the concept of Positive Design, which emphasizes designing for human flourishing rather than mere functionality. The visual framework model that makes up the concept of Positive Design contains 3 interconnected elements: Design for Pleasure, Design for Personal Significance, and Design for Virtue, and each can be clearly seen in the way people furnish their homes today.

Design for pleasure emerges in small sensory choices that evoke feelings of being relaxed or being free of problems. A favorite candle scent, inviting warm lighting or a soft blanket can provide pleasurable feelings of comfort. Design for personal significance takes many forms in interior design from displaying photographs of loved ones and travel souvenirs to memorabilia of personal accomplishments or achievements. These types of objects serve as an extension of one’s self and can be a reminder of love, progress or tradition. Design for virtue can be interpreted many ways although I find its meaning in the ability to be content with your decisions and aware of how your choices affect other people. In that sense, designing for virtue within interiors can take many forms including thrifting to reduce fast-furniture waste and breathing new life into pieces you already have.

In terms of wall decor, a few trends swept across the internet

this year that align with the core value of Positive Design.

Framed collages, curated from “free souvenirs” including

coasters, pictures, receipts, and ticket stubs tell a personal

story through an inexpensive piece of art. Similarly,

unexpected color and patterned framing have become

another decor staple.

Specifically red picture frames, as they follow the

“Unexpected red theory,” a term recently coined on TikTok

by Brooklyn based designer Taylor Migliazzo Simon, refers to

the trick in which a sudden pop of red can elevate almost any

space, even in spots where the color seems like it shouldn’t

work at all.

Source: Pinterest

Biophilic Design

As you may have guessed from the prefix, bio, biophilic design is about incorporating nature-based elements into the built environment. The beginning of the decade saw many people incorporating nature into their homes, with 7 in 10 millennials calling themselves a “plant parent” since the COVID-19 pandemic. More than ever, people are experiencing nature based design with resulting positive effects associated with mental, physical and emotional health. Exposure to natural elements—such as plants, daylight, and even nearby greenery—has been consistently shown to lower stress levels, improve cognitive performance, and elevate overall mood, as noted in studies from the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University. Similarly, incorporating furniture and décor made from biophilic materials like wood and

natural fabrics can evoke many of the same restorative calming benefits typically associated with plant life as demonstrated in Positive Aspects of Using Solid Wood in Interiors on Human Wellbeing.

Color and Lighting

The role color plays in our wellbeing is profoundly apparent and yet its importance is often overlooked. We make countless subconscious color choices—reflecting our identity and responding to how products, places, and even seasons are marketed to us. Think about being told you look great in a certain color, or how specific hues instantly evoke brands, holidays, destinations, or even stereotypes. For instance, red is the most vibrant, compelling color in the color wheel. It expresses passion and warmth but also power and urgency. In marketing, it is known to elevate heart rate, and encourage impulsive shopping like buying more during a sale. It also stimulates a viewer’s appetite, hence its frequency in restaurants and food logos. These emotional responses remain just as powerful when applied to interior spaces. Published in the

European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, The Role of Colours in Interior Design of Liveable Spaces explains that color functions as a universal visual language, shaping our experiences and conveying meanings worldwide. Through different lighting, shades and tints, colors are the key component for creating meaningful visual impact in interior design. Some examples include applying versions complimentary colors to a scheme, (my favorite is Olive Green and Dark Mauve) using the same color but applied in different shades, and using an abundance of the same color family, like warm colors.

Source: Architectural Digest

Color and light are intimately related. Designing with light requires thoughtful consideration of the surrounding elements and how light will present itself within the environment. Color considerations include choosing between warm or cool temperature and white or colored light to achieve the desired effect. Natural vs. artificial light also has a major effect on the perception of interiors. The access and quality of natural light is of utmost importance for one’s wellbeing as it is tied to circadian rhythm and sleep cycles. When selecting artificial lighting fixtures it is important to understand what their function will be and how they will transform the ambience of your space. For instance, the temperature of a task lamp for workspaces and reading will differ from the temperature of a decorative lamp or candlelight accent.

Artificial lighting can change how paint colors appear. It’s

important to select light sources with appropriate color

temperatures to set the desired mood. Warmer color

temperatures (2000-3000K) create a cozy atmosphere, while

true whites (3100-4500K) create energetic ambience and

cooler temperatures (4500-6500K) provide a more crisp and

modern feel usually best for reading.

All decor and design items were sourced by Gracen Costello. Written by Gracen Costello.