Home environment and mental well-being connection

Research suggests a significant link between domestic environments and mental well-being. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology involving over 500 adults found that perceived household clutter is associated with lower psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and positive experiences. A 2021 study of 1,111 adults emphasized that the subjective perception of clutter—how much an individual feels they have too much of—is more critical to well-being than the actual quantity of items.

Furthermore, studies have observed connections between home environments and cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. Women who perceived their homes as more chaotic or unfinished showed less favorable daily cortisol patterns.

In practical applications of home transformation, interior redesigns can address these environmental factors. For instance, a renovation of a historic New Orleans home focused on increasing natural light and storage to transition a space from a dark, individual residence into a shared, functional home for a couple.