The Latest Trend Merging Interior Design with Wellness
As the modern world becomes more demanding, we are increasingly seeking ways to bring tranquility and peace into our homes. This quest for calm has led to the rise of a unique trend in interior design known as Emotional Escape Rooms. These bespoke spaces, tailored to individual needs, foster relaxation and emotional well-being within the home, encapsulating concepts of wellness and self-care.
Understanding Emotional Escape Rooms & Why They Are Trending Today
Emotional escape rooms are specialized spaces within a home designed to cater to an individual’s emotional and mental well-being. “Often they are an escape from technology and offer a change to our usual routine, whether it be utilized as a yoga space, reading room, or just a place to relax,” says interior expert Rosie McDonnell.
Emotional escape rooms have become a trending phenomenon in interior design as people increasingly prioritize mental health and self-care. Expert Inbaal Honigman thinks the pandemic may be partially to blame for this new phenomenon. “Finding an emotionally safe space from your significant other was also a need heightened by lockdowns – even the closest couples can’t be under each other’s skin all the time,” he says.
Research suggests that incorporating an Emotional Escape Room can increase a property’s value by over $12,000, highlighting the growing recognition of spaces dedicated to emotional well-being. In addition, as societal awareness of mental health rises, Emotional Escape Rooms provide a tangible solution for creating personal retreats that foster relaxation and emotional balance.
These carefully designed spaces are diverse in nature. They can be tiny library rooms filled with treasured books, tranquil meditation spots featuring calming water features, or even rage rooms to help you blow off steam. Searches for all of these rooms have increased significantly on social media recently, further emphasizing the growth of this trend. The common thread linking these spaces is their focus on promoting relaxation, peace, and emotional balance.
As more people acknowledge the importance of maintaining emotional health, these unique spaces’ popularity has steadily risen. They offer a tangible solution to balance the fast pace of modern life, bringing the often-abstract concept of self-care to life.
Benefits of Emotional Escape Rooms
Emotional escape rooms are becoming an increasingly popular trend as they represent a unique approach to mental and emotional well-being. Rather than considering wellness as something we attend to outside of our daily routines, this interior design trend incorporates it into the very fabric of our homes. These specialized spaces offer many benefits, all focused on fostering an environment conducive to mental health and emotional balance.
Prioritizes a Personal Sanctuary
In our modern, fast-paced lives, quiet moments of solitude are often a rare luxury. Emotional escape rooms provide an opportunity to create a personal sanctuary within your home. They can create a tranquil retreat where you can escape from the noise and pressure of the outside world. This thoughtfully designed space acts as a soothing haven, allowing you to unwind and let off steam, offering comfort and calm. From a child’s play area, a teenager’s rage room, or a single mother’s quiet space, this design trend is an excellent practice for all age groups to decompress, vibe, and rage.
Fosters Mindfulness
Emotional escape rooms are designed to be free from the distractions and stressors of everyday life, providing an optimal environment for practicing mindfulness. In these serene settings, it becomes easier to focus on the present moment and to observe thoughts and feelings without judgment. As a result, regular mindfulness practice can reduce stress and anxiety levels, increase focus and concentration, and lead to a greater capacity for emotional resilience.
Promotes Emotional Health
By designating a specific space in your home to cater to your emotional needs, an emotional escape space strongly emphasizes the importance of emotional health. Whether in your room meditating, reading, or simply relaxing, you are engaged in activities that can elevate mood, alleviate anxiety, and bolster overall emotional well-being. This room symbolizes your commitment to maintaining and improving your emotional health.
Enhances Creativity
Often, emotional escape rooms double as spaces for creative activities such as painting, writing, or crafting. Having a dedicated, comfortable space for these pursuits stimulates creativity and provides a therapeutic outlet for self-expression. This creative expression can help manage emotions, reduce stress, and improve mood, further contributing to mental health benefits.
Encourages Self-Care
Emotional escape rooms serve as a constant reminder of the importance of self-care. You’re prioritizing your emotional and mental health by creating a space specifically for relaxing, reflecting, and engaging in enjoyable activities. This emphasis on self-care promotes a healthier work-life balance, encouraging time away from constant busyness and towards activities that rejuvenate and replenish your mental energy.
Creating Your Emotional Escape Room
Emotional escape rooms are not one-size-fits-all. Instead, the beauty of this unique trend lies in its inherent customization to suit the individual’s emotional needs and personal interests. As such, creating your emotional escape room is an intimate journey, an exploration of personal preferences, and a celebration of self-care. Here’s a step-by-step guide to turning that spare room into a private sanctuary.
Define Your Purpose
Begin by defining the purpose of your emotional escape room. Then, reflect on the activities that bring you joy, serenity, or a sense of fulfillment. Is it reading a good book, meditating, to music, or indulging in a creative pursuit like painting? Understanding the intended use of your room will guide your design choices, ensuring that the room resonates with you on a personal level and heightens your sense of comfort and tranquility.
Choose Calming Colors
Your room’s color palette plays a vital role in establishing the mood and energy of the space. Opt for calming, soothing colors that will help foster a sense of peace and relaxation. Soft pastels, neutral tones, or earthy hues can invoke a feeling of calm, encouraging emotional balance. Ensure that the chosen colors reflect the room’s purpose, enhancing the intended emotional response. For instance, a space intended for reading might benefit from warm, neutral tones, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Utilize Soft Lighting
Lighting can significantly influence the ambiance of a space. For your emotional escape room, consider using soft, warm mood lighting that creates a soothing environment conducive to relaxation and introspection. Various light sources, such as table lamps, floor lamps, or fairy lights, can add a comforting glow to your room. Adjustable lighting options, like dimmer switches, can further allow you to control the brightness according to your mood or the time of day.
Incorporate Nature
Research has repeatedly shown that exposure to nature, even in small doses, can positively impact mental health. For example, indoor plants can purify the air and bring life into your space. Natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen, can enhance the sensory experience, making your room more comfortable. Even including nature-inspired artwork or motifs can contribute to a calming environment, promoting emotional wellness.
Create a Sense of Privacy
The purpose of an emotional escape room is to offer a personal retreat, a safe space where you can escape from the pressures of daily life. As such, creating a sense of privacy and seclusion in your space is crucial. Consider using room dividers, curtains, or strategically placed furniture to develop a sense of boundary. This ensures that your emotional escape room feels distinctly separate from the rest of your home, reinforcing its role as a sanctuary.
Furniture and Décor for Emotional Escape Rooms
The thoughtful curation of furniture and décor is paramount in bringing an emotional escape room to life. “The idea is to create a harmonious blend of relaxing interior design and wellness and self-care trends,” says creative director Karen Bell, “Think cozy furniture, soft blankets, throws, plants, built-in bookcases, candles, oil diffusers… even massage tables.” When chosen carefully, these tangible elements form the physical foundation of your escape and can deepen your emotional connection to the space.
Choosing the Right Furniture
Selecting furniture for your emotional escape room goes beyond mere functionality—it forms the backbone of your sanctuary. The right pieces can foster an atmosphere that caters to your unique emotional needs and activities. Here are a few points to consider:
Consider your passion: What activities bring you tranquility? If you’re an avid reader, a plush armchair for your reading nook, coupled with a sturdy bookcase for your collection, may serve you well.
Accommodate your activities: If yoga or any form of movement-based relaxation is your solace, a minimalist layout with a low floor cushion and ample space might be ideal.
Ensure ergonomics: If meditation is a crucial component of your relaxation routine, a simple, ergonomic meditation chair could be your furniture of choice.
Foster a welcoming environment: Your chosen furniture should facilitate your intended activities and create an environment that invites you to retreat from the world.
Curating the Décor
The décor in your Emotional Escape Room reflects your personality and should imbue a sense of calm and happiness. Here’s how to go about it:
Find your calm: Select pieces that calm your senses, like a serene landscape painting or a soothing water feature for gentle, ambient sounds.
Personalize your space: Cherished mementos, personal photos, or your favorite novels can add a personal touch to your room.
Choose with intention: Each décor element should contribute to the room’s ambiance, reflecting your unique tastes and interests.
Incorporating Comfort
Comfort is the linchpin of your Emotional Escape Room. Here are some ways to incorporate it:
Add soft textiles: Consider including throw blankets, rugs, or cushions in various textures for a tactile experience.
Include functional comfort: A faux fur rug can add a touch of luxury, while linen throw pillows can provide necessary back support during a reading marathon or meditation session.
Invite relaxation: The elements you choose should enhance the visual appeal and invite you to relax, unwind, and immerse yourself in the soothing environment.
Designing Sustainably
By incorporating eco-friendly choices, you can create a space that supports your emotional well-being and minimizes your environmental impact. Here are some tips for designing sustainably:
Choose Sustainable Materials: Choose furniture from responsibly sourced materials, such as reclaimed wood or bamboo. These materials have a lower environmental footprint compared to traditional options.
Shop Secondhand: Consider purchasing pre-loved furniture and décor items. Shopping from thrift stores, vintage shops, or online marketplaces for gently used pieces reduces waste and adds character to your space.
Repurpose and Upcycle: Give new life to old items by repurposing or upcycling them. For example, transform an old ladder into a unique bookshelf or refresh a worn-out chair with new upholstery. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also adds a touch of creativity and personalization to your room.
Shop at Kaiyo
With Kaiyo, creating your emotional escape room doesn’t have to be daunting. We offer a range of high-quality, gently used secondhand furniture that can help transform your space into your oasis. Our extensive collection includes everything from cozy armchairs and sofas to tables and storage solutions.
Experts inspect all our furniture pieces, ensuring quality and satisfaction with every purchase. Furthermore, shopping at Kaiyo contributes to our tree-planting program, echoing our commitment to sustainability. With Kaiyo, you can create your dream Emotional Escape Room stylishly and sustainably because everyone deserves a space of their own.
