5 things to note when designing interiors for people with OCD

(Dan Tri) - Neat, clean, and safe interior design will help people with OCD reduce stress in daily life.

OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental illness that affects the thoughts and behaviors of the person suffering from it. One of the important factors in supporting people with OCD is creating a living space that reduces stress, limits factors that trigger obsessions and allows them to control their surroundings.

Here are some interior design principles specifically for people with OCD.

Choose materials and surfaces that are easy to clean

People with OCD are often very sensitive to cleanliness. Therefore, choosing interior materials with surfaces that are easy to clean, dust-resistant, and do not retain fingerprints is a top priority.

Some suggestions for interior selection you can note are to use ceramic tiles, natural stone or laminate flooring with a protective layer to help prevent dirt. For walls and ceilings, you should use anti-dirt paint, which can be easily cleaned with water.

For furniture, you should choose flat surfaces with few raised edges, and limit small details that are difficult to clean. To ensure the cleanliness of floor tiles, you should use epoxy grout instead of cement mortar to avoid dirt and water absorption.

Minimize visual clutter and complexity

A cluttered living space can trigger feelings of stress and discomfort in people with OCD. Therefore, the interior design for homes for people with OCD should be simple, neat, and easy to control.

These homes need to be designed with concealed storage spaces, which help reduce the amount of objects that appear in front of the eyes, but also have a scientific arrangement inside to avoid creating a feeling of loss of control.

The interior space should be designed with simple colors, few repetitive patterns, avoiding confusing patterns. In addition, the design should also limit complex decorative elements, avoiding curves, asymmetrical shapes or ornate decorative details.

People with OCD are often very sensitive to cleanliness (Photo: IT).

Design a symmetrical and neat space

People with OCD tend to be obsessed with asymmetry and disorder. Therefore, it is important to ensure balance in design. Furniture in the house should be arranged along the axis of symmetry. For example, if there is a pillar on the left side of the house, a fake pillar should be created on the right side to ensure balance.

Furniture should also be simple in shape and easy to control. Tables, chairs, beds and wardrobes should be square in shape and easy to arrange.

You should also be careful to avoid factors that stimulate compulsive thinking, such as patterned tiles or details that create confusion and promote thinking.

Create a sense of security in space

People with OCD often have safety concerns such as the fear that they will forget to turn off the stove, forget to lock the door or electrical appliances in the house. To reduce anxiety, you can apply the installation of a smart home system to help control electrical appliances and security systems right on your phone.

Electrical appliances should have indicator lights and be conveniently located for easy checking. You should also minimize the number of fixtures and appliances. The fewer items to check, the more secure OCD sufferers will feel.

Designing spaces to reduce stress

One of the treatments for OCD is to help the sufferer control their thoughts and gradually reduce their compulsions. Interior design can support this process by creating relaxing and therapeutic spaces such as meditation or relaxation spaces. A small corner with comfortable seating, plants, and soft lighting helps them focus on controlling their thoughts and reducing stress.

Lighting also plays an important role in regulating mood. Large windows and thin curtains help make the most of sunlight. The space should be designed to be spacious and well-lit to avoid feeling stuffy and cramped.

In addition to light, pleasant sounds and scents also help relieve stress. You can arrange a soft music player and essential oils to help the space become more relaxing.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/bat-dong-san/5-luu-y-khi-thiet-ke-noi-that-cho-nguoi-co-hoi-chung-ocd-20250325164754419.htm