A house that really allows you to relax. A psychologist explains why square footage is not everything

A large living room, fashionable furniture and an impressive kitchen are no longer enough. Today, the quality of life at home is increasingly determined by things that are more difficult to measure: the opportunity to rest, access to light, a sense of privacy, contact with nature and simple mental comfort. In the latest episode of the Misja Mieszkanie project, Anna Kędzierska, psychologist and author of “Pictures for Thinking”, talks about why a well-designed apartment can have a real impact on our well-being, relationships and mental health.

Mission Mieszkanie is a project implemented by RynekPierwotny.pl, dedicated to contemporary housing – its functionality, quality and impact on the everyday life of residents. In conversations with experts, the creators of the program analyze not only the real estate market, but also the social and psychological aspects of housing.

There may not be enough meters. Psychology talks about the comfort limit

The question about the ideal square footage comes up regularly today, especially in large cities, where apartment prices force compromises. Anna Kędzierska, however, emphasizes that it is not only about numbers, but about the sense of space and the possibility of regeneration.

– “20-30 meters per person is the absolute minimum, which provides the basis for building mental comfort. At 30-40 meters it is really good, and 40-60 meters is great,” says the psychologist.

But it’s not simple math. It is also important how the apartment is organized, whether it allows for a moment of solitude and whether it gives you the opportunity to separate yourself from excess stimuli. And modern people experience much more of these than just a few dozen years ago.

Why do we cope with pressure worse today than previous generations?

An important observation is made in the conversation: in the 1970s and 1980s, multi-generational, cramped apartments were the norm, and yet many people remember those times as happy. According to Kędzierska, the problem is not only the number of meters.

– “We cannot compare our lives today with those from several decades ago, because our pace of life, the number of stimuli and the overload of the nervous system are completely different,” he notes.

The psychologist refers to research conducted in Beijing in 2022 on a group of over 1,600 people. They show that overcrowded apartments increase the level of stress, worsen the quality of life and promote conflicts. Importantly, the problem turns out to be not only the number of household members, but also the lack of private space and the need to share basic rest areas.

– “If your apartment is overcrowded and you have no space for yourself, you have no place where you can rest,” Kędzierska emphasizes.

Your own corner acts as a mental fuse

One of the most interesting threads of the conversation is the importance of “one’s own place” at home. It does not have to be a separate room or office. Sometimes an armchair, part of a sofa or a small table by the window is enough.

The psychologist explains that a person needs a space where he can function exclusively according to his own rules, at least for a moment.

– “This is a place where you can let your guard down, meet your thoughts and let your nervous system rest,” he says.

In practice, it is about something much more important than a fashionable arrangement. In a world of constant information overload, home becomes a place of regeneration. If it does not fulfill this function, the body remains in a state of constant mobilization.

Light, silence and greenery work better than fashionable accessories

Modern environmental psychology has long shown that access to daylight and nature has a direct impact on well-being. Kędzierska points out that even slight contact with greenery can significantly reduce the level of tension.

It’s not just about a garden or a house outside the city. Equally important may be tree crowns visible from the window, plants on the balcony or the ability to look further than the wall of the neighboring building.

The psychologist also refers to the theory of geographer Jay Appleton, according to which humans instinctively look for a space that combines two elements: shelter and perspective. We want to feel safe, but at the same time we need a view and a sense of space.

This is why apartments with a place to observe the world work so well – even if it’s just an armchair next to a large window.

A well-decorated home doesn’t have to look like Pinterest

One of the most valuable reflections of the conversation concerns the contemporary obsession with interior design trends. Kędzierska strongly advises against copying ready-made arrangements without considering your own needs.

– “Look for something that is yours, not something that is fashionable or a trend on Pinterest,” she says.

It is also an important voice from the perspective of interior design. In recent years, many apartments have started to look almost identical: light wood, beige, white kitchens, soft arches and neutral accessories. The problem is that aesthetic correctness does not always translate into the psychological comfort of residents.

Some people actually relax in minimalist interiors. Others need colors, books, plants and personal items. Psychology does not indicate one “good style”. Rather, it suggests that authentic spaces that are consistent with our temperament work best.

Clutter really tires the brain

The conversation also touches on the issue of order. Kędzierska points out that visual chaos is not indifferent to the nervous system.

– “Your eye is constantly analyzing stimuli. The nervous system does not rest,” he explains.

However, it is not about perfect minimalism straight from catalogues. Rather, the key is the sense of control over the space and the functional organization of the apartment. The problem begins when the number of items makes everyday functioning difficult and the home ceases to be a place of regeneration.

The psychologist emphasizes that it is worth starting with simple things: limiting excess, finding a place for everyday items and creating at least one zone of true rest.

The house doesn’t have to be perfect. Should be “ours”

In the finale of the conversation, perhaps the most important idea of ​​the entire episode appears. A well-decorated house is not a perfect interior, but one that allows its residents to feel like themselves.

For some it will be a sofa with a view of the garden. For others, an armchair next to a bookcase, a large dieffenbachia or a wall full of family photos. Interior psychology shows more and more clearly that the sense of security and well-being is built through an emotional bond with space rather than blindly following trends.

– “If you come back to your apartment and don’t recharge your life batteries there, it’s worth asking yourself what you miss there,” sums up Anna Kędzierska.