In a chaotic world, homes are increasingly personal and intimate, sanctuaries where one can relax and escape. As such, today’s houses must be designed not just to look good and function well; the right design choices have the power to influence not only what we see but how we feel.
For those looking to connect with their living areas on a deeper level, “emotional design” is a rising trend that uses color, texture and natural materials to influence mood, energy and overall wellness.
By incorporating emotional design—intentional details that can have a significant effect on mood and behavior—architects, designers and builders can create residential spaces that reflect homeowners’ lifestyle goals, whether that’s calm and restorative, vibrant and energizing or somewhere in between.
Through the use of natural materials, colors, textures and layouts, design and building pros can do more than just create beautiful, functional spaces; they can create environments that spark emotion and make people feel truly connected to the place they’re in.
Strategies for Incorporating Emotional Design Into Projects
Emotional design is all about evoking specific emotions to create a positive experience. First, determine the client’s emotional goals. How do they want to feel—and have their visitors feel—in the space? Warm and inviting? Bold and inspiring? Soothing and restorative? These answers can shape their choices.
Once overarching design goals are identified, leverage these approaches to infusing emotion into the projects:
1. Create a Biophilic Connection with Natural Materials
The biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature. Numerous studies indicate that biophilic design solutions can even reduce stress and lower heart rates and blood pressure while increasing creativity, productivity and well-being.
One way to achieve emotional design through biophilia is with natural materials like stone and wood. While some materials like full-bed natural stone may be impractical for many homeowners due to cost, delivery and installation challenges, a lightweight manufactured stone veneer captures the same raw beauty of stone with durability, versatility, sustainability and performance. Whether used as a fireplace surround, interior accent wall or kitchen backsplash, manufactured stone veneer is a beautiful and accessible way to bring the outdoors in.
Choosing irregular, organic shapes—like ledgestone and fieldstone profiles—creates a design that echoes organic contours while maintaining a polished, timeless feel.
2. Leverage Color to Influence Mood
Thanks to what we know regarding color theory, the shades and hues we choose to incorporate into homes can prompt a number of different psychological responses. Whether in the wall paint or the décor, color can play a powerful role in how we feel when we enter a room. For example, bright hues of red and orange might be invigorating to some, while nature-inspired shades of greens and blues can provide a serene feeling, and deep, dark shades of greys, purples and even black are often associated with a sense of mystique.
Manufactured stone veneer comes in a diverse range of colorways, giving homeowners the ultimate creative control when customizing their spaces. Consider weathered grays and light neutrals for a calming, spa-like environment in the bath, or earthen browns and warm golds for warmth, vibrancy and comfort in gathering spaces. Soft pastels often are used in bedrooms to encourage rest, while bold, vibrant colors are popular in creative spaces to spark inspiration.
3. Infuse Texture to Set a Tone
Like color, texture can also influence our emotions within a space. The varied surfaces and textures of stone offer powerful ways to introduce dimension, especially when paired alongside other tactile elements like textiles, wood grains and other eye-catching materials. Think plush rugs and wool blankets in a cozy living room, rounded pebble stone in a soothing shower or sleek stainless steel in a modern pro-style kitchen.
Natural materials and those that authentically emulate natural materials can infuse a space with just the right amount of texture. Stone can offer feelings of timelessness, making a space feel grounded, while wood adds warmth. When used together, stone and wood can create a harmonious balance of these emotions. For example, a stone fireplace paired with wooden beams can nurture stability and comfort.
4. Leverage Indoor-Outdoor Connections
Seamless indoor-outdoor connections that blur the lines to unite exterior and interior spaces invite feelings of relaxation and openness, encouraging social gathering and connection. Using complementary materials, colors and design motifs can cut through the chaos of busy households to create a calming environment that’s grounded in consistent design details. For example, to make spaces seem larger and more interconnected, use the same stone profile on an indoor fireplace and outdoor patio wall, or carry a kitchen backsplash out to a covered grilling area.
The Power of Emotional Design
For a house to truly be a home, it must be about more than just the four walls and the roof. Infusing the design with materials, colors and textures that evoke our emotions and reflect our lifestyles can create the ideal environment that is truly a personal space worth coming home to.
Sarah Lograsso is the Director of Marketing and Product Management for Stone and Roofing at Westlake Royal Building Products. In this role, she couples her design talents with business acumen to continually refresh, refine and distinctly position multiple brands in the North American market. Leveraging over 18 years of industry experience, Sarah’s strategic approach to marketing and product management has amplified brand visibility and fueled growth, affirming Westlake as a market leader. For more information, visit www.westlakeroyalbuildingproducts.com/stone-solutions.
