Laughter is the best medicine. A person who laughs suffers from less anxiety and feels better all-round. Although scientists still don’t know exactly why we laugh, there’s lots of evidence that it has a beneficial effect. To take just one example: children who laugh a lot develop faster and better than their peers. We move 18 different muscles when we laugh. And while we’re laughing, our diaphragm massages our abdominal organs and supplies fresh oxygen to the brain. Applying this principle to interior design, we can say that décor that makes us smile also keeps us healthy. Here are a few amusing ideas that will bring more humour and individuality to your home.
For men with a sense of fun
Did you know that men with a sense of humour are more attractive to women? Studies by psychologists have found that women looking for a potential partner prefer men with a sense of humour because it is an indication of an active and healthy brain. Strangely enough, the opposite is not true: men don’t prefer witty women as partners. For a man, it seems to be more important that a woman can laugh at his jokes. In light of this, men (and especially those still looking for an ideal partner) would be well advised to furnish their homes with a few humorous extras. Why not opt for a white shark that leaps out of the living room wall, or a fitted sheet that turns the bed into a building site? Funny sayings as wall tattoos can also make women laugh. Why not give it a try! It’s important, of course, that you also think the decorations are funny. In fact, this is one of the few rules governing humorous home furnishings: it needs to be something you can laugh about as well.
The unexpected
What makes us laugh? On most occasions it’s something unusual or even impossible that tickles our funny bone. Most jokes are constructed to do exactly this, making a punchline out of something we didn’t anticipate. There might also be a touch of „schadenfreude“. Similarly, humorous interior accessories also aim to be something out of the ordinary: the lasso, for example, that appears to defy gravity by holding a wine bottle, or the table that only has two legs. The soap dispenser in the form of a giant nose is also something completely unexpected, just like the emergency release panel that contains an emergency bar of chocolate instead of a lever.
Childhood memories
These things don’t always need to elicit gales of laughter: just a smile is often enough to keep us feeling more cheerful. The trigger could be objects that remind us of pleasant things from our past – such as the light that resembles the Tetris game we used to play as teenagers, or the smiley floor lamp, or the giant yo-yo from the ’80s.
Simply funny!
Laughter researchers claim that we model our sense of humour on that of our parents. Depending on how its parents react, even a six-month old baby knows what’s funny and what is not. And this is probably also the reason why the Japanese, for example, laugh about different things than Europeans. Within a certain cultural group, however, most people tend to find the same type of things funny. When furnishing your house or flat with amusing accessories, then, you can’t really go far wrong. So let’s start bringing a little humour into our homes!
More info: haro.co.nz
Let a reminder of a cult horror film brings a smile to your guests' faces. The great white shark leaping out of the wall is available from www.coolstuff.de.
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Fitted sheets with a 'wooden pallet' design turn your bed into a building site. But a surprisingly comfortable one to sleep in! Found at www.monsterzeug.de. (Copyright: Monsterzeug)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
How is that possible? The magical wine bottle holder from www.coolstuff.de will confound your visitors. (Copyright: CoolStuff)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Entertaining two-legged table. Part of the circular top of the 'Yeh' wall table (made by Menu) is folded upward so it rests flush against a vertical surface. No additional attachments are required. Seen at www.spuersinn24.de. (Copyright: Spürsinn24)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
This nose-shaped soap dispenser from www.coolstuff.de brings a touch of fun to the bathroom. So don't be surprised when your guests start giggling while washing their hands. (Copyright: CoolStuff)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Natural materials to lighten the mood. Attach your notes and memos to the 'Wildwuchs' magnet board (from designimdorf) using genuine wooden twigs. Can be ordered from www.spuersinn24.de. (Copyright: Spürsinn24)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Were you a Tetris addict as well? Then this light from www.coolstuff.de will definitely bring a smile to your face. You can configure the individual blocks in any order you like. (Copyright: CoolStuff)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Smileys were everywhere you looked in the '80s. You can now enjoy this iconic design again in the form of a quirky floor lamp. From www.radbag.de. (Copyright: radbag)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Not just for yo-yo enthusiasts. The 'YOYO' floor lamp from Authentics can also be tipped over and used as a practical side table. Seen at www.spuersinn24.de. (Copyright: Spürsinn24)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Wearing this funny apron while cooking will lighten the mood at dinner parties. Available from www.oflifeandlemons.co.uk. (Copyright: Of Life & Lemons)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
For humorous cat lovers. This scratching post in the shape of a dog is great fun for cats and humans alike. Can be ordered from www.design-3000.de. (Copyright: design3000.de)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Amusing and practical. These chair socks from side by side are real eye-catchers and protect your floor at the same time. Available in grey, green and cream white. Found at www.spuersinn24.de. (Copyright: Spürsinn24)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz
Amusing décor idea for the 2006 World Cup. The lawn-like flooring brought the wonderful game right into the homes of avid football fans. (Copyright: HARO - Hamberger Flooring)
Image credits: www.haro.co.nz