Get Ready for Mingling!

Not being able to be in the same place at the same time with friends and family during the pandemic has made us even more interested in doing just that.

Humans are a social species and when we can’t spend time with others when we want to, we get tense—and being tense isn’t good for anything in our lives, from our health, to our professional performance, to our ability to get along with others.

Mingling positively and pleasantly with other people gets a real boost when shared spaces are designed in certain ways.  Colour, furnishings, space layouts, architecture, it all matters when you’re hanging out with others.

Chosing colours

The best colours for spaces where mingling is supremely important are warm ones. Study after study confirms that people seen in environments that feature warm colours are felt to be socially warmer and friendlier than those seen against cooler ones.  If you’d like the people in those warm spaces to be relaxed, make those shades not very saturated but relatively light and bright.

Warm colours look best in warmer light, and studies have shown that people are both more relaxed and more sociable in it, so incorporate warm light into spaces for mingling, whether that light comes from the sun as daylight or warmer light bulbs (those marked “warmer” or about 2700 Kelvin on their package).  Warmer light weaves its magic more effectively when the bulbs are in tabletop or floor lamps than when they are overhead, but overhead is OK if that’s the only option. Fewer lights, in other words a slightly darker area, will be better for socializing than a very bright one, but people tripping in the dark is a cordial conversation ender.

The patterns in which surface colours are used together should feature curving lines. In spaces for mingling  upholstery and wallpaper designs should be relaxing.  If there’s too much pattern or straight lines, even the most social social butterfly among us who gets an energy boost from being around other people can be bombarded by all that energy flowing around! It can make it hard to pursue pleasant, quiet conversations (although it’s great for a political rally when getting everybody’s heart beating a little faster is a good prelude to getting them to sign on to whatever you have to say!).

For instance this room is too busy, too many patterns, to much visual complexity and squared flooring with squared patterned rug:

The research that encourages use of curving lines in patterns also applies to the other “lines” in the room, whether those lines are in the arms of a sofa or the legs of a table. Compare the curving lines on this sofa is pleasant to touch and see (with the ones above, which are more angular).

While you’re considering patterns and materials, add some visible wood grain via flooring, furniture, woodwork, or something else.  Seeing wood grain is both relaxing and mentally refreshing to view.  Don’t cover more than 45% of available surfaces with wood, however.  More wood than that is not better, the positive return on visible wood grain diminishes above 45% coverage.

Natural materials in general are good choices for spaces where people will mingle, they comfort us.  So, get out that lovely wool throw your great aunt knit for you (beware of itchy stuff, however) and consider a stone veneer in your entryway (if the floor supports in your home can handle the weight).  Healthy looking green leafy plants (real or “good fakes”) also comfort, and they, simultaneously, mentally refresh as well—which can be a real plus for people in mentally exhausting political debates at your home—with visible plants those guests can keep debating policies just a little while longer before the name calling and character assassinations begin.

See the next article on eye contact and what to do with the TV!