3 minute read
Most of the time, feeling safe isn’t something you actively think about – it’s just there in the background, and because it’s there, you can just go about your day without any issues. In fact, you only tend to notice it when something goes wrong or something makes you feel worried. The interesting thing is that a lot of what makes us feel safe works silently and it’s just there in the places we visit every day. Read on to find out more.
Familiar Layouts And Clear Boundaries
One of the biggest things that makes us feel safe is knowing our surroundings. When a home or building has a clear layout, defined spaces, and a good flow that stays how you designed it, you can relax a lot more. After all, you know where things are, and you know the people who are meant to be there.
That’s why cluttered or poorly planned spaces can feel quite unsettling, even if nothing is actually wrong with them. But clear walkways, well-defined rooms, and good storage all create a sense of order that makes us feel safe.
Solid Doors For Reassurance
Doors are something that definitely make us feel safe, even if it’s a subconscious thing that we don’t ever acknowledge. The fact is that when a door in your home feels solid, it feels safe. And when it closes and stays closed, that feels safe too. It helps you remember that you’ve got things under control, and that’s always a positive thing.
In shared buildings and commercial spaces, features like steel fire doors also do an important job – they’re designed to fit in with the rest of the decor (and look good, of course), but they can keep you safe should a fire break out, so they definitely help, even if it’s just their presence that’s reassuring.
Lighting That Helps You See And Be Seen
Lighting is another contributor to feeling safe, and things like well-lit entrances, hallways, and shared areas make you feel a lot happier to be in those places, and a lot more sure about your own safety. That’s because you can see what’s around you, and you’re not having to walk through darkness or guess at what might be in front of you.
The lighting doesn’t have to be massively bright to do a good job at making you feel safe, and in fact, softer lighting is better because not only can it help you see, but it’s also a lot more gentle, and therefore more comfortable and pleasant.
Everyday Sounds And Normal Activity
Silence can be good, and sometimes it’s exactly what you need, but in the wrong setting, silence can be very uncomfortable, which is why the sounds of normal activity like footsteps in shared spaces or familiar household sounds all show you that things are as they should be.
They’re little clues to ensure your brain doesn’t take you into panic mode, and when they’re suddenly missing or change, you’ll feel uneasy.
