People, Places, and Things

The psychology of design: How to create an environment in which you will thrive

Sally Augustin Ph.D.

Choose the Curvy One, Probably

Considering design options? Carefully weigh the effects of curving and straight lines.

Pandemic-Informed Home Design

Learning from today to live better tomorrow.

Designing for Home Work

You can make your home office work for you and feel better working at home.

How Scents Affect Life Experiences

Smells influence the thoughts you think.

Smart Smart Spaces

Adding smart tech? Be thoughtful, plan carefully.

Time Management

Use design to help with "time blur."

Harnessing the Power of Changing (or Not)

Carefully consider changes you make to where you live and work. Design psychologists have found that too many changes can lead to lots of unhappiness. 

Science-Based Color Selections

Selecting the right surface colors is easier with science.

Designing to Battle Weight Gain

Design can be good for our waistline.

The Power of Images of Nature

Why looking at images of nature can help you feel better.

Keep Walking, Definitely Keep Walking

Lace on your walking shoes. Taking a stroll is good for both your mental and physical health.

Pick a Green, Almost Any Green

Go with a green. You'll be glad you did!

Designing a Conversation Background

What's behind us during electronic conversations matters.

Designing with Differences in Mind

Difference-aware design helps more people live their best lives.

Listen to Nature!

Add a nature soundtrack to your home and/or office to decompress and refresh.

Building With Wood Grain

Visible wood grain makes our lives better.

Curvilinear or Rectilinear: Science-Informed Selections

Science can help you feel good through design.

Indoor Plants a Plus

Indoor plants can help you live the life you've planned.

Lighting Up Your Life

Light indoors can boost your wellbeing, or not.

Options!

Having options, and using them, is a very, very good thing.

Designing Your View

Master what you see to manage what you feel.

Natural Light, Good Light

Natural light flowing into our homes has positive consequences, for our minds and our bodies.

Setting the Scene by Setting the Temperature

Ambient temperature has a significant effect on how we think and behave.

Establishing Value, for You

Trying to decide if you should remodel? Consider all of a renovation's potential ramifications.

Using Science for Your Design Decisions

Should you select the paisley-like wallpaper or the rectilinear option? It depends.

Walls or No Walls: Decide for Yourself

Should you knock down the walls inside your home, or add some?

Making Life Better with Clocks

An evolving challenge: Being on time.

Can Gender Influence What We See, Hear, Smell, and Feel?

Arguing about design with a partner? Research can help explain how some disputes arise.

Nature Soundscapes Indoors Lead to Positive Experiences

Burbling brooks. Gently rustling leaves. Serene birdsongs. Add their sounds to your life—and live better.

Keep It (Maybe)!

Your things can enhance your life.

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