Choosing Healing Art to Create Spaces that Nurture, Uplift and Inspire

Our surroundings can have a substantial impact on how we feel, think, and behave. Through the use of elements such as color, texture, light and healing art for interior design, we can craft a space that caters to our wellness needs, such as destressing, supporting peace, stimulating energy and creativity, and inspiring our spirit. 

What is healing art?

Healing art is art created with the intention of supporting holistic wellness, that is, the well-being of the mental, emotional, spiritual aspects of self, also referred to as our mind/body/spirit. While healing art won't directly heal a physical illness, studies have found that when we are healthy mentally and emotionally, our stress and inflammation levels, known to be a major cause of illness, are lower and our physical body is more resilient to disease. This is the holistic understanding of wellness. 

Rather than prioritizing aesthetics or technique, healing art aims to uplift, soothe, and bring inner balance to the viewer. Healing art often incorporates calming colors, symbolic imagery, and mindful design in order to reduce stress, promote tranquility, and cultivate positive emotions.

Healing art can take many forms, and is shaped by the artist's personal understanding and experience of inner healing and wellness, as well as the energy that they pour into each piece. For example, my own perspective on healing includes the energetic and spiritual aspects of self, having worked with these dimensions for many years. I've seen how influential they are on my mental, emotional and physical functioning. Because of this, my own expression of healing art includes intentional use of energy work, meditation and prayer, offering this additional level of benefit in the art.

Healing art that incorporates energy work and similar healing practices into the creative process may lead to unique experiences for the viewer that other forms of healing art can't offer. This can include a more pronounced calming or uplifting effect when observing these pieces, more readily accessing insights for self-discovery and personal or spiritual growth, and a deeper connection with the viewer's own inner healing capacities.

Below are some suggestions for selecting healing art for the interior design of your home, office or healing space:

1. Choose Colors That Speak to You

Colors can have a strong impact on our moods. It is common to be attracted to particular colors because they support our wellness in some way. Although colors speak to each of us in unique ways, here are some common ways they may influence our moods: 

  • Blue: Calming and promotes relaxation; often linked with peace and trust.

  • Green: Refreshing and grounding; associated with nature, balance, and growth.

  • Yellow: Energizing and uplifting; conveys warmth, happiness, and creativity.

  • Red: Stimulating and intense; evokes passion, excitement, or urgency.

  • Purple: Inspiring and luxurious; often linked to spirituality and creativity.

  • Orange: Warm and invigorating; encourages enthusiasm and social connection.

  • Pink: Soft and soothing; associated with love, kindness, and comfort.

  • Gray: Neutral and calming; can feel stable or, if overused, a bit dull.

  • White: Pure and refreshing; often feels clean, open, and peaceful.

  • Black: Powerful and grounding; adds depth but can feel heavy in large amounts.

2. Incorporate Nature-Inspired Art:

Nature-themed art can promote a sense of calm, groundedness and connection to the natural world, reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. Ecopsychology is a fascinating field if you’d like to learn more about the healing effects of nature and nature imagery.

3. Create a Focal Point:

Use a large, impactful piece of art as a focal point in your healing space. This can draw the eye and provide a sense of grounding, inviting contemplation and introspection.

4. Include Personal Meaning:

Choose artwork that resonates with your values and aspirations to support alignment with your personal goals. If choosing abstract art, notice which pieces evoke moods or thoughts that align with your goals and values. 

5. Layer Textures:

Incorporating various types of art materials, such as textiles, sculptures, or mixed media, adds depth and tactile quality to the space. Textured elements can enhance the sensory experience and make the environment feel more inviting. I find natural elements such as wood, stone and living and dried plant material have a calming, grounding effect, as mentioned above.

6. Use Inspirational Quotes or Affirmations:

Display art that features uplifting quotes or affirmations. These pieces can serve as daily reminders of your intentions, encouraging a positive mindset and promoting self-love. On the subject of quotes and affirmations, I keep sticky notes and study cards on hand to write down inspiring words or thoughts that come to me during meditation, prayer, or even in unexpected moments like washing dishes. I post them where I will see them regularly, such as on a bathroom mirror or by my bed.

7. Arrange Art Thoughtfully:

Group similar pieces together or create a gallery wall that tells a story or evokes a particular emotion. The arrangement can influence the overall feel of the space. Alternatively, place the art where it might benefit you the most, for example, calming art where you find you get stressed, such as in your office, or energizing art in your breakfast nook.

8. Create a Meditation or Reflection Area:

Designate a quiet corner with art that inspires contemplation or personal/spiritual aspiration. This could include a comfortable chair or meditation pillow, soft lighting, and a piece of art that encourages mindfulness or meditation. I will be creating a full blog post dedicated to this topic in the future.

9. Rotate Art Regularly:

Consider changing the artwork periodically to refresh the energy in your home and/or healing space. This can keep the environment dynamic and engaging, allowing for new inspirations and perspectives over time. That being said, always stay open to new inspiration coming through old art. From my perspective, we are always being supported with new insights just waiting to bubble up into our conscious mind, and we are always growing in new ways. Even old things can bring new insights when we stay open to new growth.

Developing your own intuitive sense

By using healing art for interior design of your home, office or wellness space, you can create an environment that not only looks beautiful but also nurtures your mental and emotional health, fosters a sense of peace and comfort, and even supports your personal and spiritual growth.

I hope that these ideas inspire you in creating your own personalized space to nurture your holistic wellness. The above tips are just a jumping off point, however. I encourage you to take a deep dive into your own inner world of thoughts and feelings: Take time to yourself and learn about your mind/body/spirit. Get to know what makes it feel good and what doesn't, what helps it feel expanded and inspired and what doesn't. By developing a feeling-based, intuitive sense of what supports your wellness, you will be better able to choose healing art that is uniquely suited to you, and create an interior design for your home, office or healing space that helps to nurture the happiest, healthiest version of you.