Voila blog by lana roma
The Interior Design Hack That's Off-Limits for Kids and Entrepreneurs
How can Interior Design influence and shape your mind?
I had a question on Instagram
- My follower from Instagram"I got the idea to paint an accent wall, BUT our walls are white and we have a concrete kitchen in the living room! I’m running out of ideas... I also thought about adding wooden slats to the media area, but it feels like that trend is already at its peak."
Let's break down this request.
The use of wooden slats is indeed very common in interiors and has reached its peak in popularity. However, that's just one of the reasons why you should approach this idea with caution.
I’m well-versed in interior design psychology and make sure to use these slats sparingly and carefully in my projects, especially in children's rooms and business spaces. Let’s go through the drawbacks of this type of wall treatment one by one.
I’m well-versed in interior design psychology and make sure to use these slats sparingly and carefully in my projects, especially in children's rooms and business spaces. Let’s go through the drawbacks of this type of wall treatment one by one.
Let me start by saying I love wooden slats in interiors. They make for a great accent in modern design for wall treatments if:
- They fit the overall style,
- They are placed in the right spot within the space,
- They’re made from high-quality materials,
- Their size and color are chosen correctly,
- And there are no issues with the vestibular system or nervous system...
Let’s dive in, and I’ll break it all down!
- They fit the overall style,
- They are placed in the right spot within the space,
- They’re made from high-quality materials,
- Their size and color are chosen correctly,
- And there are no issues with the vestibular system or nervous system...
Let’s dive in, and I’ll break it all down!
Wooden slats create an optical ripple effect when you look at them. If you have a TV mounted against this backdrop, your eyes might strain because the slats create a flickering effect. Over time, if you have any vestibular issues, this could lead to dizziness and nausea.
The brain interprets this optical illusion as hostile and stressful. As a result, even while watching a light-hearted comedy, you might quickly become fatigued, and your overall enjoyment of the film could be diminished. If you’re watching something serious, you might end up with double the stress.
The brain interprets this optical illusion as hostile and stressful. As a result, even while watching a light-hearted comedy, you might quickly become fatigued, and your overall enjoyment of the film could be diminished. If you’re watching something serious, you might end up with double the stress.
But the worst part, and something few people realize, is that this optical ripple is an irritant for the brain. It starts to fixate excessively on the slats. You know what that’s like? Hypnosis and programming. Now, imagine a TV is mounted against that backdrop, broadcasting something—hopefully not the news…
Combine these two factors: visual hypnosis and the programming from whatever’s on TV, and you end up with… well, you get the idea.
Combine these two factors: visual hypnosis and the programming from whatever’s on TV, and you end up with… well, you get the idea.
This story is even more dangerous for children. They're more sensitive, vulnerable, and easily influenced. For hyperactive kids, this "special effect" acts like pressing the gas pedal, while less active children will gradually be pushed into a state of panic. Of course, it doesn't happen instantly—it's a cumulative effect. Now, if children are also absorbing information against the backdrop of slats, refer to the previous point.
Ever noticed this in movies? The powerful business bosses or police officers are always sitting in front of half-open blinds, while their opponent is, of course, seated in a chair opposite. Especially in those dramatic scenes when they're either in tough negotiations or trying to corner a suspect. And the cherry on top: the room is dimly lit, with daylight seeping through the blinds. Got the picture? Would you like to be the one in that chair?
It's a brilliant example of NLP and manipulation through interior design. In my opinion, it's a forbidden technique, but some people skillfully use it. A boss in such an office will always be right, always stronger and smarter. Simply because the person sitting opposite sees the boss's figure against a backdrop of light flickering through the blinds and instinctively tries to shield themselves from the stress, attempting to focus—but the stripes won’t let them. Vertical wooden slats on walls have a similar effect.
I’m not a fan of such psychological tricks, and I always advocate for creating business spaces where both the owner and their visitors feel calm and relaxed. I firmly believe that in a creative and cozy office atmosphere, deals and partnerships are built on trust, not manipulation.
So, what if you still want to incorporate
wooden slats on the wall?
wooden slats on the wall?
Here are a few design tips:
- 1Avoid placing slats on the wall with the TV.Choose a different wall, or position the slats far enough away from the TV so they don’t catch its light.
- 2Don’t go for high-contrast slats.What do I mean by that? If the wall is light, don’t choose dark slats. That’s a big no-no! The slats and the wall behind them should be as close in color as possible. If the slats are wooden, then the wall should be painted in a mid-tone that matches the wood.
- 3Choose slats without strong wood grain.Opt for wood with a subtle pattern or simply go for painted slats made of wood or MDF. And definitely steer clear of metal.
- 4Only use matte slats.No glossy finishes.
- 5Slats can be combined with other materials,but that’s a story for another time.
- 6Size matters!The smaller the slats, the more visual noise they create. It’s better to choose larger slats, especially for children’s rooms. However, there’s a rule for the ideal ratio of slat width and spacing where the optical flicker disappears. I cover these in-depth secrets in my design courses, so I’ll keep some professional tips under wraps here! =)))
Interior inspiration
You will find a lot of really stylish interiors on my Pinterest account.