What Are Indoorphins?
Some spaces just feel good. They offer a quiet kind of comfort, the kind that lingers in the background and gently supports your day. At Industville, we believe interior design should do more than look beautiful. It should contribute to a deeper sense of ease and connection.
That’s where the idea of indoorphins comes in. It’s our way of describing that warm, intangible lift you get from a well-considered space. A space that feels like it’s been made for you, not just decorated around you.
Why Lighting Matters More Than You Think
Light is often the unsung hero of interior design. It shapes mood, creates rhythm, and influences how we experience a space on both a practical and emotional level. A change in lighting can transform a room from stark to soothing, or energising to enveloping.
Simple swaps like updating a pendant or wall light can bring in warmth, texture and a sense of quiet drama. The Sea Grass Giant Dome Pendant introduces a natural focal point with its organic curve and woven texture, while the Rift Slatted Wooden Wall Light diffuses light through vertical lines, casting gentle shadows that soften a space.
When paired with wool rugs, jute pouffes or hand-finished furnishings, these pieces form the foundation of a scheme that feels calm, considered and cohesive.
Style suggestion: Place pendants in pairs over dining areas or kitchen islands to create a sense of balance and occasion, while wall lights near corners or reading areas add layers of light that feel intuitive and comforting.
Design Cues from Nature
A space designed for wellbeing often takes its lead from the natural world. That might mean choosing earthy, grounded tones like soft greens, sand, clay or stone, or embracing textures that mimic the feel of the outdoors, such as seagrass, raffia, wool and cotton.
Small gestures can make a big difference. A raffia pendant. A hand-loomed rug. A well-placed bunch of foliage. Each introduces a note of calm that builds on the emotional story of a room.
Finishing touches, like fresh greenery or sculptural flowers, purify the air and add a gentle visual rhythm. According to research, carefully chosen design elements can even trigger a response in the brain’s pleasure centres, linking physical comfort to a deeper emotional sense of home.
Art That Lifts the Mood
We caught up with Michelle from Green Lili, to discuss how art has an impact on the spaces we inhabit and how we feel in them.
"I've always thought that art is about how it feels in your space, not just hung to look good on the wall. Something that sets the tone and helps create the kind of environment you want to live in every day. The right piece can soften a room, bring balance or add a quiet energy that makes it easier to slow down and live more intentionally.
Most of my work starts with nature, which often means thinking about colour and shape. I use soft, earthy tones and organic forms that help a space feel calm and grounded. I always say go bigger when it comes to art. Large artwork brings more intention, opens up the room, and works quietly with lighting, texture and tone to pull everything together.
I think art has this subtle way of connecting you to something more. It doesn't need to match anything or follow any trends. It just needs to feel like you. And when it does, that's what really makes a space feel like home."
Michelle Collins, Artist & Founder at Green Lili
A Guide to Creating Your Own Indoorphin Space
If you’re looking to bring this feeling into your own interiors, start with these three principles:
1. Lead with Light
Choose lighting that creates softness and focus. Avoid overhead glare where possible and use multiple sources to shape the atmosphere. Warm-toned bulbs and diffused light help soften the edges of a room.
2. Introduce Texture
Layering is key. Combine natural materials like wool, cotton, wood and rattan to create depth without clutter. Let your textures do the talking, especially in neutral schemes.
3. Prioritise Ease
Ask how you want to feel in the space, not just how it will look. The best designs support your lifestyle. That could mean a pouffe to rest your feet, a wall light beside a reading nook, or a rug that feels good underfoot.
Final Thought
Good design doesn’t need to be loud to make an impact. Sometimes, the most powerful spaces are the ones that make you feel quietly at ease. Cultivating indoorphins is about creating interiors that care for the senses, that offer comfort, beauty and a lasting sense of calm.
Ready to create your own mood-enhancing space?
