Could a new home improve your mood, overall well-being, and even mental health? Research suggests that it can, particularly when you incorporate certain design elements and personalize your home. Here are eight ways to improve your emotional well-being by building a new home with TJH.

Natural light for mood-boosting benefits

“Sunlight is a natural mood booster,” according to an article in Medium. Natural light “positively influences mood, energy levels, and circadian rhythm regulation,” and incorporating large windows can make a space feel “uplifting and refreshing.” According to a Homes & Gardens article, cluttered, dark spaces that are not well laid out can lead to frustration and a sense of gloom, which makes it hard to feel positive or creative. At TJH, we design our homes to enhance natural light with large windows and optional high ceilings for double-height windows, skylights, glass-paneled stacking doors, interior courtyards, and more.

Spaciousness for psychological wellness

Being able to move freely within the home is essential to well-being and mental health, according to an article in Homes & Gardens. When a home has a good layout that flows seamlessly from room to room, we instantly feel comfortable. Interestingly, research cited in Psychology Today shows that feeling cramped in tight quarters can lead to antagonistic behavior. Feeling enclosed by a space that does not have windows or doors to the outside triggers the fight-or-flight response. Every TJH home features an open-concept floorplan that promotes functionality and flow and doors that lead to outside living and entertaining spaces.

Calming colors for stress reduction

Decorating with soft colors creates a calming atmosphere that invites you to leave behind the stress of the day. According to an article in Elle Decor, blue and green shades are relaxing, a slightly pink tone can feel “like a warm hug,” and warm neutrals are known to have a calming effect. The TJH design team can help you pick the right shade to promote stress reduction in your home, from “new neutrals” to bluish-gray. During your design studio consultation, our designers will work with you to create a home that emanates quiet luxury through color and design.

Flexible spaces for growth and creativity

The Medium article notes that multi-functional areas in the home allow for adaptivity, promote flexibility, and cater to changing needs. Our goal at TJH is to create a home that supports your lifestyle—today and tomorrow. We incorporate flex space in all our homes that can be used for home offices, slumber parties, golf simulators, and so much more. 

Moldings for mental stimulation

An article in Psychology Today notes that our visual perceptual system evolved surrounded by fractals, so we find fractal forms to be both calming and mentally stimulating. Interestingly, moldings are crafted in fractal forms. Incorporating moldings in your home can bring in the fractal element our minds love and even create a sense of shelter in the home. Plus, moldings are a great element for blending modern and traditional design, like this TJH homeowner did in her home. 

Biophilia for harmony with nature

For most of human existence, we lived in nature, which means we feel most relaxed when we’re surrounded by natural elements. Environmental psychology “consistently suggests that buildings support us best when they echo the scale and tone of the natural world, through pattern, dimension, light, layout, and sound,” according to an article in Psychology Today. Research shows that simply looking at natural elements or trees through windows can reduce blood pressure, reduce the production of stress hormones, increase concentration, shorten recovery time, decrease pain, and positively influence mood. Furthermore, according to an article in Homes & Gardens, biophilic design “supports cognitive function, physical health, and mental wellbeing.”

When you build with TJH, you can select natural materials, such as marble countertops and wood flooring, to promote biophilia in your home. Adding indoor plants can improve creativity, productivity, and mood, plus clean the air. We further create a connection to nature by incorporating indoor/outdoor living and well-designed landscaping viewable from inside your home.

An ideal community for social wellness

Social connections are essential to mental health and well-being, and neighborhoods are one of the best places to make these connections. According to one study, multiple lines of research suggest that a neighborhood’s structural and social attributes affect residents’ mental health. Living in a neighborhood that’s beautiful, walkable, welcoming, and full of amenities could go a long way toward improving your social wellness and overall mental well-being.

At TJH, we believe in fostering social connections and community. Whether you want to build a new home where you already live or move to one of our top locations, we have solutions that accommodate both. With BUILD by TJH, you can tear down and rebuild on your current homesite, giving you a new construction home while preserving the community ties and relationships you’ve built over the years. Furthermore, our homes are designed for hosting and enhancing social wellness, ensuring that you always have a welcoming space to connect with friends and family. If you’re still looking for your dream neighborhood, our BUILD+ land sourcing service or our new construction homes underway can help you find a community and develop social ties.

A personalized home for greater happiness

According to an article in Medium, personalization is essential to designing a home that supports well-being by fostering “a sense of ownership and emotional connection to the environment.” Personalization also promotes familiarity and comfort, which “can evoke positive emotions and contribute to happiness and well-being.” Ultimately, you’re happier when you love your home.

Whether you build a new construction home or buy one of our homes underway, you could have the opportunity to personalize many elements. When you build with us, you get to choose from a variety of home styles and some optional structural features where applicable.

“We purchased one of the homes that they had underway, and we were able to be part of the design process. The team really listened and collaborated with us to create a home that’s uniquely ours, with personal touches and memories from our travels, all woven into each space.”

Maureen, TJH homeowner, Southern California