---
title: What are the best materials for a feel-good home?
description: Discover the best materials to create a feel-good home that enhances your mood, well-being, and creativity with expert insights from XUL Architecture.
---

[Architecture Advice | RIBA Chartered XUL Architecture ](https://xularchitecture.co.uk/advice)

# [What are the best materials for a feel-good home?](https://xularchitecture.co.uk/advice/what-are-the-best-materials-for-a-feel-good-home)

 Written by [XUL Architecture](https://xularchitecture.co.uk/advice/author/xul-architecture) | Aug 27, 2025 9:25:18 AM

When it comes to designing a home that feels just right, *materials matter*. Not just for looks, but for how they shape our thoughts, mood, and wellbeing. From the **wood beneath our feet** to the **glass in our windows**, every surface sends signals to our brain - and some feel a lot better than others!

At XUL, we carefully select materials that support both the** look and the feel of a home**, to make it genuinely welcoming.

In a nutshell:

- Choose **non-toxic**, sensory-friendly **building materials**.
- **Wood **lowers stress, improves mood, and **boosts creativity**.
- Warm-toned** brick and stone help with stress recovery**, especially when paired with greenery.
- **Glass **supports calm and** connection to nature**.
- **Metals **can feel cold or **overstimulating **in large doses.
- **Soft materials** like carpets and curtains help reduce noise and** increase comfort**.

 

## How Do Materials Influence Our Mood?

The materials in our environment do more than simply cover surfaces; **they interact with our senses** and ultimately impact how we feel. Surfaces that are overly bright, noisy, or cold can leave us feeling overstimulated or uncomfortable. However, when chosen well, materials can bring a sense of **calm, creativity, and even joy**.

 

## What Should I Look For in Building Materials? 

Start with **health and safety**. Look out for non-toxic options and certifications like **Health Product Declarations (HPDs)**. Even things you don’t see, like insulation or adhesives, can impact indoor air quality.

Materials that gently **reflect light, dampen sound, **and** hold warmth** often feel more soothing and balanced (Byun et al., 2018).

 

## Are Natural Materials Really Better ?

**Absolutely.** Natural materials like **wood, stone, and brick** connect us with nature in a way that synthetic materials often can’t. Studies show that wooden interiors can **lower** **blood pressure**, **reduce** **anxiety**, and create a **calming atmosphere** (Zhu et al., 2023; Ojala et al., 2023).

On top of this, wood has also been shown to **boost creativity** and support "outside-the-box" thinking (Douglas et al., 2022), making it ideal for studies or home offices.

That said,** too much wood** can** **feel** overwhelming.** Research shows that the ideal range is around **35–65% **wood coverage; just enough to evoke warmth and a sense of connection, without crossing into **sensory overload or artificiality** (Li et al., 2021).

Brick and stone are great too, especially in **warm colours**. One study even found that **red brick** lowered blood pressure, and **brown stone** helped people recover from stress (Zhang et al., 2024). Add a little **greenery**, and the effect is even stronger. 

 

## What About Man-Made Materials Like Glass or Metal?

Not all man-made materials are bad! In fact, in a recent study, **glass** scored highest for relaxation, likely because it brings in **natural light** and **connects us to the outdoors**, which are key principles in biophilic design (Zhao et al., 2023).

**Metal**, on the other hand, often feels **cold or industrial**. It reflects light and sound, which can lead to discomfort when overused (Zhao et al., 2023). Despite this, a touch of metal here and there can add **contrast and modernity**, as long as it’s balanced with softer or warmer elements.

As for** wood-look vinyl** or other **nature-inspired synthetics**, whilst they visually mimic natural materials, they **don’t engage our senses or brains** in quite the same way (Wang et al., 2025). They can be a practical alternative when real materials aren’t feasible, but they’re best seen as a** **compromise, **not a replacement** 

 

## Why Are Soft Materials So Important?

 Materials like **carpets, curtains, and upholstery** do more than just make a space feel cozy. They absorb sound, reduce mental fatigue, and **help us feel grounded and at ease**. This makes a real difference in **living rooms, bedrooms, and quiet corners**, where comfort and calm are key.

 

## Final Thoughts

The materials in your home can do more than please the eye; they shape how you feel, think, and function. Whether you’re planning a renovation or simply updating a room, aim for materials that **feel good to the body and the mind**.

Prioritise **natural elements**, create **sensory balance**, and think **beyond looks** to create a space that truly supports your wellbeing.

 

## References

Byun, J. I., Lee, B. U., Koo, Y. S., Sunwoo, J. S., Lim, J. A., Moon, J., Lee, S. T., Jung, K. H., Chu, K., Kim, M., Lim, J. M., Lee, H. J., Lee, E., Lee, S. K., & Jung, K. Y. (2018). Bright light exposure before bedtime impairs response inhibition the following morning: A non-randomized crossover study. *Chronobiology International, 35*(8), 1035–1044. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2018.1452030 

Douglas, I. P., Murnane, E. L., Bencharit, L. Z., Altaf, B., dos Reis Costa, J. M., Yang, J., Ackerson, M., Srivastava, C., Cooper, M., Douglas, K., King, J., Paredes, P. E., Camp, N. P., Mauriello, M. L., Ardoin, N. M., Markus, H. R., Landay, J. A., & Billington, S. L. (2022). Physical workplaces and human well-being: A mixed-methods study to quantify the effects of materials, windows, and representation on biobehavioral outcomes. *Building and Environment, 224*, 109516. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109516](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109516)  

Li, J., Wu, J., Lam, F., & et al. (2021). Effect of the degree of wood use on the visual psychological response of wooden indoor spaces. *Wood Science and Technology, 55*, 1485–1508. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-021-01320-7 

Ojala, A., Kostensalo, J., Viik, J., Matilainen, H., Wik, I., Virtanen, L., & Muilu-Mäkelä, R. (2023). Psychological and physiological effects of a wooden office room on human well-being: Results from a randomized controlled trial. *Journal of Environmental Psychology, 89*, Article 102059. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102059](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102059)  

Wang, B., An, S., & Li, K. (2025). Shaping Green Choices: How Sensory Cues Drive Behavior of Wood-Plastic Composites.* Behavioral Sciences, 15*(3), 383. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030383 

Zhang, N., Zhao, L., Shi, J., & Gao, W. (2024). Impact of visual and textural characteristics of street walls on stress recovery. *Scientific Reports, 14*(1), 15115. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64618-z](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64618-z) 

Zhao, J., Nagai, Y., Gao, W., Shen, T., & Fan, Y. (2023). The effects of interior materials on the restorativeness of home environments.* International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,* *20*(14), 6364. [https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146364](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146364) 

Zhu, Y., Wang, Q., & Zhao, F. (2023). Wood in office spaces: The impact of different wooden furniture on aesthetic evaluation. *Frontiers in Psychology, 13*, 986627. [https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.986627](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.986627)   

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