Better Living Through Environmental Aesthetics
Improving your home life for improved mental and physical health
With more work-from-home jobs and online businesses, having a good home life has never been more important.
An optimal environment can give you hidden advantages. Improving the aesthetics of your surroundings is a large boost to quality of life.
Specific choices depend on personal taste, and the home’s current appearance, so I won’t cover every possibility. But there are a few things which anyone can do. In general, you want to mimic nature’s benefits. Humans didn’t evolve inside cubicles.
Light and Windows
The first thing to look into is light. Window areas should be clear to maximize the amount of light which enters rooms. Get bigger and better windows if possible. The types of blinds or curtains is up to you.
Open windows also increase natural ventilation. I have my windows open basically 24/7 except in extreme weather. I like fresh air.
You don't need to hit the "sun your balls" meme tier of sunlight appreciation. Sunlight is, however, immensely helpful for physical and mental health. Regulating your circadian rhythm, vitamin D exposure, heart health, etc. Thousands of studies discuss these benefits.
There’s aesthetic value as well. Also see: the "golden hour" (or “magic hour”). It’s a favorite time of day for many people, including myself. I may be biased since I go by “Apollo.” But if you can’t go outside as often as you’d like, adding more sunlight to your interiors makes perfect sense. It’s easy to see why people advocate for sunlight.
If you live in a city, you might run into pollution issues with open windows, but there are mitigation options.
Plants
Plants are essential. They look good, complement more light (above), it’s ideal to be surrounded by nature (as evolution makes clear), and plants are natural air purifiers. Some are edible (basil, mint, etc.) and you can grow fruit trees in your backyard (if you have one) and/or create a garden. Have plenty of plants inside and outside.
Keep in mind that some plants aren’t pet-friendly. DYOR and/or keep all plants away from your pets. When in doubt, try Boston Ferns. They’re fairly easy to take care of, have plenty of foliage, and are non-toxic for both dogs and cats.
Side business idea: plant-themed ecommerce. Gardening and “houseplant addiction” boomed during the pandemic lockdowns, with things like #PlantsOfTikTok reaching billions of views.
Art
This can be anything. It’s just better to avoid blank walls. Pick your favorite pieces for posters and canvases, or visit local artists, or buy from The Jungle.
For example, BowTiedHeifer sells abstract art:
And DegenFren:
I have pieces for sale as well (ApolloGallery.org). DM me on Twitter if you have requests for a particular style or piece. BowTiedBankers is working on some things, as are other artists, like BowTiedTreeFrog and BowTiedMaker. Combined, we’ll have a legitimate art gallery/museum in the future.
Side business idea: create and sell your own art. Plus, many NFT artists are neglecting physical goods, even though it’s easy to set up a POD ecommerce site. People spending thousands of dollars on JPGs probably want to show them off in multiple ways.
Furniture
Furniture should be human-centric. Warm, inviting, reminiscent of nature, etc. Basically anything which isn’t Ikea. Ikea is great on a budget, but once you have a solid income, it makes sense to upgrade.
For nice-looking long-lasting furniture on a budget, try estate sales, antique stores, and flea markets. Although this depends on luck, you can nail some amazing finds.
Side business idea: restoring old furniture.
Miscellaneous Decorations
Globes, wine cabinets, record players, chess sets, whatever you want. Homes should feel lived in and real. Be sure to de-clutter when necessary. Donate things you’re not using.
Everything in your home should serve an aesthetic, practical, or nostalgic reason.
Some people like the contemporary minimalist style of interior decorating. Personally, I don’t; it’s impersonal, kind of boring, and looks sterile when done incorrectly. Minimalism looks easy, yet is difficult to get right.
People disagree on styles, so you can do anything that meshes with your personal taste.
Everyday Usage
Pick up high quality utensils, cookware, clothing, etc. It makes more of a difference than you might expect. Well-made items feel better, last longer, and you’ll be proud to have guests. Steel, copper, glass, ceramic, etc - minimize plastic. For both aesthetic and health reasons. Copper is especially useful for its antimicrobial properties.
Himalayan salt lamps can be nice in certain areas. The lighting is softer and more natural than overhead bulbs. Some people claim these have health benefits, which is generally nonsense. It’s still a fair lighting option when it’s thematically appropriate.
Examples from the Jungle:
BowTiedOctopod’s store has cutting boards and other culinary options.
BowTiedFarmer has beeswax candles, homemade soap, and more.
Other examples include Lodge Cast Iron and Liberty Tabletop.
Buying cheap things is usually more expensive in the long run. Constant replacements, possible toxins, etc.
Conclusion
It doesn’t have to take much time or effort to upgrade your living space. A few considerations can go a long way (80/20 rule) toward a happier and healthier you.
This is a reader-supported publication. For further support of my work:
I sell physical artwork at ApolloGallery.org with more to come
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You can hire me for graphic design work