Top 9 'Neuro-Aesthetic' Design Shows to watch for engineering a happier brain at home - Goh Ling Yong
Have you ever walked into a room and felt an immediate sense of calm? Or entered a space that felt so chaotic and cluttered it made you instantly anxious? That powerful, visceral reaction isn't just a matter of taste; it's your brain responding to its environment. This fascinating intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and design is a field called neuro-aesthetics.
The core idea is simple: the spaces we inhabit have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. The colours, lighting, textures, and even the layout of a room can influence our mood, reduce stress, and boost creativity. By understanding these principles, we can quite literally engineer our homes to be sanctuaries that support a happier, healthier brain. Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that thoughtful design is a powerful tool for a better life.
But where do you start? How do you learn to see your home through this neuro-aesthetic lens? While there are countless books and articles on the subject, sometimes the best way to learn is by watching the masters at work. We’ve curated a list of the top nine design shows that, whether intentionally or not, are treasure troves of neuro-aesthetic wisdom. Grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and prepare to be inspired to create a home that not only looks good but feels incredible.
1. Abstract: The Art of Design (Specifically, Season 1, Episode 4: Ilse Crawford)
While the entire Netflix series is a masterclass in creativity, the episode featuring interior designer Ilse Crawford is required viewing for anyone interested in human-centric design. Crawford’s philosophy is the very essence of neuro-aesthetics. She doesn't just design spaces; she designs feelings. She argues that design should be a "frame for life," supporting our daily rituals and engaging all our senses.
Crawford champions the use of natural materials like wood, linen, and stone, not just for their beauty, but for how they feel to the touch and how they connect us to the natural world. She pays meticulous attention to what she calls the "sensory journey" of a space—how light changes throughout the day, the ambient sounds, the tactile experience of opening a door. This episode will fundamentally change how you perceive design, shifting your focus from purely visual appeal to a holistic, sensory experience.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: Conduct a "sensory audit" of your favourite room. Close your eyes and notice what you hear and feel. What textures are under your fingertips? Is the lighting harsh or soft? Identify one sensory element you can improve, whether it's adding a soft-textured blanket, a pleasant-smelling candle, or a small water feature for soothing sound.
2. Queer Eye
At its heart, Queer Eye is about transformation, and design expert Bobby Berk is a wizard at demonstrating the link between our external environment and our internal state. He consistently shows how a well-designed space can boost self-worth, improve daily routines, and foster connection. His work is a practical application of engineering a happier brain.
Watch how Bobby tackles the most pressing functional problems first. He creates designated "zones" for different activities, which reduces cognitive load and makes life feel more manageable. He brings in plants to add life and colour, uses mirrors to amplify natural light, and chooses furniture that encourages social interaction. More than just a makeover, Bobby’s designs give the show's heroes a supportive foundation from which they can build a more confident and joyful life.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: Identify the biggest "pain point" in your home—the cluttered corner, the disorganised entryway, the bedroom chair that’s become a laundry pile. Like Bobby, tackle that one area first. Resolving a source of daily friction can have an outsized positive impact on your mental energy.
3. The Home Edit
Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin’s approach to organisation is a direct antidote to the mental chaos caused by clutter. Our brains are wired to seek order, and visual clutter overloads our prefrontal cortex, leading to stress and decision fatigue. The Home Edit provides a clear, visually satisfying system for restoring that order.
Their signature clear containers and rainbow-sorted categories aren't just for aesthetics; they serve a neurological purpose. By making everything visible and easily accessible, you eliminate the mental strain of searching for things. The act of creating these systems is a form of mindfulness, and the end result is a calming environment where your brain can finally relax. It’s visual therapy that simplifies daily life.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: You don't have to decant everything into acrylic boxes. Start with one drawer or one shelf. Group "like with like" and use simple dividers. The goal is to create a system where every item has a logical, predictable home, giving your brain one less thing to worry about.
4. Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo’s KonMari method took the world by storm for a reason: it connects our possessions to our emotions. The central question, "Does it spark joy?", is a powerful neuro-aesthetic filter. It forces us to move beyond pure function and consider how the objects in our home make us feel.
Surrounding yourself with items that evoke positive emotions creates a feedback loop of happiness. Conversely, letting go of things that carry negative or neutral energy frees up both physical and mental space. The show beautifully illustrates this process, showing the emotional release people experience as they curate a home filled only with things they truly love. This is the art of creating a personal sanctuary.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: Apply the "spark joy" principle to the art on your walls or the photos on your shelves. Are they generic placeholders, or do they genuinely make you happy? Swap out anything that feels stale for images that evoke fond memories, inspire you, or simply make you smile.
5. Grand Designs
For over two decades, Grand Designs has been documenting ambitious homeowners building their dream homes from the ground up. Beyond the architectural marvels, the show is a deep dive into how a home can become a profound expression of personal values and a deep connection to a place. This is where we see the power of biophilic design in action.
Many of the featured homes are intrinsically linked to their natural surroundings, with massive windows framing breathtaking views, materials sourced directly from the land, and layouts designed to follow the sun. This connection to nature, or biophilia, is proven to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and elevate mood. As I, Goh Ling Yong, often say, bringing the outside in is one of the most effective ways to create a restorative home environment.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: You don't need to build a new house to embrace biophilia. Increase your connection to nature by positioning your favourite chair to face a window with a view of the sky or trees. Bring in a variety of houseplants, or even hang high-quality photographs of landscapes that you find calming.
6. The World's Most Extraordinary Homes
This series takes the principles seen in Grand Designs to a global, awe-inspiring scale. Architects Piers Taylor and Caroline Quentin travel the world to explore homes built in the most unbelievable locations—carved into cliffs, hidden in dense forests, or perched on remote mountainsides.
The key neuro-aesthetic takeaway here is the power of awe. Experiencing awe—that feeling of being in the presence of something vast and overwhelming—has been shown to decrease stress and increase feelings of well-being and connection. These homes, with their dramatic relationship to nature and their innovative designs, are engineered to inspire awe. The show teaches us to think about how our homes can provide moments of wonder and perspective.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: Create a "moment of awe" in your own home. This could be a dramatic, oversized piece of art, a feature wall painted in a deep, captivating colour, or a perfectly placed mirror that reflects a beautiful view, making it feel larger than life.
7. Dream Home Makeover
On the surface, Shea McGee’s designs for Studio McGee are bright, beautiful, and highly aspirational. But look closer, and you’ll find a masterclass in creating serene, calming environments. Her signature style relies heavily on principles that soothe the nervous system.
McGee is an expert at layering textures—soft rugs, linen curtains, woven baskets, smooth marble—which provides rich tactile input for the brain. She prioritises natural light, keeping window treatments minimal to flood rooms with mood-boosting sunlight. Her use of neutral, earth-toned colour palettes creates a cohesive and uncluttered visual field, allowing the brain to rest. It’s a perfect example of how mainstream design can be deeply rooted in neuro-aesthetic principles.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: Focus on lighting. Replace harsh, cool-toned overhead lights with warmer bulbs. Add layered lighting options like floor lamps and table lamps with dimmers. This allows you to adjust the room's ambiance to match your mood and the time of day, supporting your natural circadian rhythms.
8. Amazing Interiors
This show is a joyful celebration of individuality and the power of a home to be a true reflection of one's innermost passions. From the outside, the houses look ordinary, but inside, they contain secret worlds—a backyard rollercoaster, a full-scale circus, or an underwater diving cave.
While you might not want a Ferris wheel in your living room, the neuro-aesthetic lesson is profound: creating a space that is authentically you is a massive source of happiness. Our brains thrive on self-expression and novelty. A home that reflects your unique hobbies, passions, and quirks becomes a constant source of positive reinforcement and a safe haven for your true self.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: Dedicate one small space—a nook, a wall, or even a single shelf—to something that is unapologetically you. Display a collection you're passionate about, create a gallery wall of your favourite artist, or paint a small area in your absolute favourite, boldest colour.
9. Interior Design Masters
This competitive reality show offers a fascinating look at the design process itself. Contestants are challenged to transform various spaces—from restaurants to hotel rooms to family homes—based on a specific client brief that often focuses on a desired feeling or function.
Watching the designers interpret these briefs is a lesson in design empathy. They have to think: How will a family with young children feel in this living room? How can we make a small office feel expansive and inspiring? The show highlights the problem-solving aspect of design, reinforcing that the best interiors are not just about trends, but about creating spaces that solve human problems and enhance human experience.
Neuro-Aesthetic Tip: Write your own "design brief" for a room in your house. Don't just list things you want to buy. Instead, write down how you want to feel in that space. Do you want it to be "calm and focused," "energetic and social," or "cozy and secure"? Use those feeling words to guide every design choice you make.
Your Home, Your Happier Brain
Your home is more than just a collection of walls and furniture; it's the backdrop to your life and a powerful partner in your well-being. As these shows beautifully demonstrate, thoughtful design is an act of self-care. By paying attention to light, order, nature, texture, and personal expression, you can transform your space into a sanctuary that actively supports a calmer, happier, and more creative mind.
So, the next time you settle in to watch a design show, watch it with a new perspective. Look beyond the big reveals and pay attention to the small choices that create a feeling. You’ll be gathering the tools you need to become the architect of your own happiness, one room at a time.
Now it's your turn! Which of these shows is your favourite? Are there any others you'd add to the list? Share your thoughts and your own neuro-aesthetic tips in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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