Design the rooms in your home with PTSD in mind
Here’s a step-by-step look at updates to some of the key spaces in the home that can be challenging for people with PTSD.
Create a Calming Bedroom Design for PTSD
Nightmares and sleep disturbances top the list of PTSD symptoms, so the bedroom is often the most important room to create a conducive space for mental health. There should be no harsh colors in the bedroom. Choosing soothing neutral colors for the color palette can help prevent overstimulation. Soft bedding and a bed large enough to allow a few turns without restriction are also important.
Natural light is great during the day, but at night the lights from street lamps, neighbors, or passing cars can be distracting. Consider installing blackout curtains to keep the bedroom safe. Keeping a calming kit near the bed that includes an aroma diffuser, white noise machine, an eye mask, and some relaxing items is great for creating a peaceful atmosphere. Finally, remove the television from the bedroom to promote better sleep.
Design a Treatment Room
For people suffering from PTSD, having a designated space in the home that is used only for therapeutic purposes can provide a much-needed oasis. This doesn’t have to require anything fancy. A clutter-free, distraction-free space with a few yoga mats can provide an oasis for meditation. Similarly, someone who finds solace in art therapy might consider setting up an easel and crafting station in their spare bedroom or basement.
Create a Designated Home Office
For someone who does some of their work from home, having a designated office space is vital to keeping mental health balanced. For someone suffering from PTSD, this can be even more important as it is easy to become overstimulated by the noise and visual clutter of the home when trying to work. Additionally, associating work time with the kitchen table, bed, or couch can reduce a person’s ability to relax in these spaces.
Make the living room more communal
In a world of constant on-demand streaming, it’s easy for the living room or family room to turn into a lonely and isolated space rather than serving as the social room of the home. It’s tempting to focus on the television when arranging the living room, but arranging seating to facilitate conversation can help a person with PTSD feel more connected to other household members or guests. Arrange couches and chairs facing each other. Next, place plenty of blankets and pillows to help people feel comfortable and relaxed.
Key interior design elements to consider to promote comfort
For a person suffering from PTSD, the look of the home matters more than just following the latest design trends. The home must truly feel like a protective refuge. It is also important for a space to provide functionality and predictability.
A doorway or foyer is never just a doorway or foyer to a person with PTSD. For many people with PTSD, having clear entrances and exits is vital to avoid the feeling of being trapped. It is important to keep all hallways and walkways inside the home clear of debris or clutter.
Maintaining visibility is also important. Tall, bulky pieces of furniture that cut off the room or obscure visibility can be distressing for someone with PTSD. In addition to making it difficult to see the space around you, obtrusive objects can easily be mistaken for intruders during a moment of panic or disorientation.
While some design trends for PTSD are based on how the home is built, others depend on actual architectural considerations. Windows play an important role in helping many people feel in control of their environment. Large windows located close to the ground can relieve the fear of being trapped. They can also satisfy the need for natural light to enhance mood and sleep quality, as we discussed above. Additionally, many people with PTSD find that homes with open layouts make them feel more comfortable. The visibility of an open layout is reassuring and empowering, compared to the shadowy feeling of homes with lots of corners and nooks.
Our Conclusion
For a person suffering from PTSD, even the home he has known his whole life may feel like a strange place. Of course, home design for PTSD should always be tailored to meet the individual needs of the person. The goal in mind is to create an environment where the person suffering from PTSD can feel safe from threats without being isolated from the world.