# Psychology of Interior Spaces: The Science Behind Clients Satisfaction

Hi Steemians. It has taken me quite a time to finish this post. I’m glad it is finally here and I hope you enjoy reading it. It’s just something from my profession I want to share with you.
Have you ever been in a space and you are scared? Do you feel insecure in the spaces you find yourself? Do you feel like you might just get choked up in the space you are? Do you feel like the world is about to come to an end as a result of the space you find yourself?
Ok….what do you see? What do you think brought about all these feelings? Now let’s reason together.

1. Is the headroom of the space too low or too high?
2. Are the wall coverings of the space unpleasant to the eye and body sensation?
3. Are the doors and windows too small or too big?
4. Probably, is it the space that is too small and unbearable for you to exist in?
   
   

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[Designed by me: @archipels]
Now let us analyze some of the occurrences that could bring about these awkward feelings.

The Headroom of a Space

This is one of the major factors that determine the convenience of an individual within a space and keen interest need to be factored while determining the headroom of any space. As an architect or an interior designer, while determining the headroom of any space, do you ever put into consideration your clients or end users of the space and how they relate with the space? One of the questions that need to be asked is who are my clients or end users? Having knowledge of whom the end user of a space is gives a clear picture of what the headroom of that space should be. For instance, how do you expect a short man/dwarf to feel in a space with very high headroom? Don’t you think he will feel so intimidated and depressed? The same way a tall man/giant will feel in a space with low headroom. He will feel so unsecured and being conscious of every of his step within the space.

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Wall Covering
What do I mean by wall coverings? This can be explained as the finished look of a wall. It could either be inform of wall paint or wall finishes such as, but not limited to wall paper, 3D panels, faux panels, bricks, wood panels etc.
As we further our discussion on wall coverings, I want us to highlight some factors that need to be taken into consideration.
1.Color
2.Heat absorption and reflection
3.Illumination
4.Aesthetic
So let’s discuss these one after the other.

Color
Most times when wall paint is been discussed everyone thinks of the color to apply first. Yes, color is a very important factor as to how we relate in our spaces. Let me divert a little. Are you aware of color psychology? (I guess that will be a topic for another day) but here is the thing, every color makes an impact on us knowingly or unknowingly. What I am saying in essence is that the colors we are surrounded with, whether we like it or not has a psychological impact on us. That is why you will see someone going into a restaurant with an hungry friend without the intention of eating, but feeling hungry all of a sudden. Why is this? The restaurant has some colors in its wall that gives you the hungry sensation once you step in. We need to understand how individuals relate with the surrounding colors so that we can be guided in choosing the perfect colors for them. People react differently to the colors they see, some colors makes one happy, some sad, angry, depressed, hungry, sleepy, etc. all these need to be properly studied so that we will know the color that best suit a space in term of beauty and psychological effects.

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Heat Absorption and Reflection
Surprised? Don’t be. I know that many of us might not be aware of this, but here is the fact. A color has the ability to either absorb heat or reflect heat. Little did we know that many of the colors we apply on our walls absorbs and reflect heat? This principle need to be properly understood before choosing the color for a space.

Let me explain further by saying that the amount of light an object absorbs/take in determines the amount of heat the object generates. I call this the “give and take principle”. Are you still unclear? Let me break this down, have you heard of the saying that dark colors absorb heat while light colors reflect heat. When a dark color such as black (simply black body) is used to coat a wall, during a hot weather, the wall absorbs heat from the environment releasing it to the occupants of the building thereby causing a feel of inconvenience. But when a light/bright colors such as white is used, rather than absorbing and retaining the heat, it reflect it instead thereby reducing the effect of heat gained within the building.
Understanding this principle will guide us in selecting colors wisely so as not to make a space either too hot or cold at any time of the day.


Illumination
Just as earlier discussed in the heat absorption/reflection principle, the same applies to the illumination of a space.
We will notice that spaces painted with dark colors gives an impression like the room lacks light and need to be brightened up. Why? This is because dark surfaces do not reflect light. A space like this feels small. On the other hand, spaces with bright colors such as white have an airy feel. The light reflected on such spaces makes it feel big even if it’s just a small space.


Aesthetics

Have you ever stepped into a space and the next statement that slipped out of your mouth is “where on earth is this “ or you almost ran out the very moment you stepped in or do you have a feeling of would I last the next 5 minutes in here? Or do you just feel like you will collapse if you don’t take your leave that very minute. Yes, don’t act naïve like you don’t have an idea of what am talking about. Sincerely some spaces are like that and trust me nobody wants to stay in a space like that, let alone be associated with spaces like that. So what do you think might be wrong with those spaces? It could be any of the following thou not limited to these: 1. The color/hue used within the space has not been properly selected 2. The wall finishes used in term of wall paper, painting, panels, etc could be scary or not pleasant to the eyes 3. The paint used has not been properly applied on the wall. Choosing the right wall paint/finishes and balancing it well goes a long way in affecting individual’s reactions to a space.

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Door and Window Sizes

This is another factor that affects the psychological thinking of an individual within a space just like in the case of headroom. Making reference to the comparison used earlier of a tall and a short man/dwarf, a tall person would not mind the height of his door going as high as 2400mm above because it gives him a sense of freedom compared to a door of 2100mm high or below. He would probably need to take a bow any time he is passing through the door and this would make him conscious at every point in time so as not to hit his head against the door. On the other hand, a short person/dwarf with a door too high might feel like he is entering into a trap and this gives him some sense of insecurity but when the door is just perfect to suit his height, he feel confident to pass through at an point in time. This same principle applies to the choice of window sizes to be used for a space.

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Space Management
When you enter into a given space what is the expression that leaves your face? Is it the “wow” look or the “confused” look?
Everyone like their space big, spacious, and well arranged. But the obvious fact remain that we cannot all have that luxury of a big space but here is the little secret, you can have a small space but the way we arrange it gives it a feel of a large space while some people who have the luxury of big spaces don’t even have an idea of how best to keep it organized making it look all chocked up and small.
The way we manage our spaces goes a long way on how we feel comfortable within the space. For instance, some people feel that a 3600mm x 3600mm room is just perfect for them because they have mastered the tips of space management while some will still have to struggle with a 4200mm x 4200mm room making it look like the space should have been bigger.

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Conclusion
In conclusion, the psychology of interior spaces should be studied, putting into consideration the purpose of use as well as the end users of the spaces, that is, is it for commercial use (public spaces) or private use for example residential buildings.
Know that when dealing with commercial spaces the end users would vary from different races and tribe, they will be tall, short, slim, fat, etc. All these people would react differently to the space they find themselves. Therefore, such spaces need to be designed to suit everyone irrespective of their personality. But it is easier in the case of private spaces, since it is just one individual/family that is involved, all that need to be done is to study and understand how they relate with their spaces.

References
Interior design psychology
How Your Interior Design Is Influencing Your Subconscious
Design psychology

Thank you and I am happy you read to the end.