According to a recent systematic review published in Nature, light, temperature, space, and furniture not only determine home comfort but also directly influence the physical, mental, and physiological health of adults. This is demonstrated by a comprehensive international scientific review analyzing nearly twenty years of research on interior design and healthy aging.
With the aging of the world’s population, it is projected that by 2050 more than 16% of the population will be over 65, the home becomes a key space for health. As older adults spend more time indoors, the design of these spaces ceases to be merely an aesthetic matter and becomes a factor in well-being and prevention.
The study reviews 64 research studies published between 2005 and 2024 and synthesizes the evidence into seven key principles of interior design that influence the health of adults:
1. Lighting
This is the most studied factor and one of the most influential. Adequate lighting improves sleep quality, regulates circadian rhythms, reduces depressive symptoms, and facilitates independence in daily activities. Research shows that light not only helps us see better, but also sleep better and feel better emotionally.
2. Thermal Environment and Air Quality
Indoor temperature and ventilation are closely related to cardiovascular health, joint pain, and overall comfort. Older adults are especially sensitive to extreme heat and cold, and poor ventilation can aggravate respiratory and cardiac problems.
3. Layout
The organization of the home matters. Accessible bathrooms, private bedrooms, and short distances between rooms reduce the risk of falls, improve mobility, and promote independence. A lack of private spaces, on the other hand, is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression.
4. Barrier-Free Design
Features such as handrails, non-slip flooring, visual contrast, and good signage reduce falls and increase the feeling of safety. Increasingly, studies link this type of design not only to physical health but also to emotional well-being.
5. Space Size
Living in excessively small spaces is associated with poorer mental health. However, research also shows that “bigger” isn’t always better: in people with cognitive impairment, more compact and well-organized spaces can facilitate orientation and reduce disorientation.
6. Furniture
Furniture influences both functionality and social relationships. Accessible, well-placed, and familiar furniture promotes social interaction and reduces loneliness. Incorrect arrangement, on the other hand, can isolate people even when they live in a community.
7. Design for Relaxation
Plants, natural materials, wood, and views of the outdoors have measurable effects on reducing stress and anxiety. Even visual simulations of nature produce physiological benefits, such as a reduction in heart rate.
The evidence on physical and mental health is solid, the study points to a significant lack of research on objective physiological responses, such as cardiovascular or brain activity. It also highlights that most studies are concentrated in Asian countries, which underscores the need for more research in European and Western contexts.
The conclusions are clear: the home can be a tool for preventative healthcare. Designing homes with good lighting, appropriate temperatures, accessible spaces, and natural elements not only improves quality of life but can also reduce dependency, falls, and emotional distress.
In a context of accelerated aging, this research reinforces a key idea: taking care of the design of the spaces where we age is also taking care of our health.
Assistant Lecturer at the University of the Basque Country