Short answer

Prioritize the use of natural materials like wood in interior design to create spaces that support enhanced cognitive function and user well-being.

Field
Human Factors
Source
Scientific Reports (2025)
Method
Within-subject experimental design with neurophysiological and self-report measures.
Sample
36 participants
Evidence
Strong effect

Incorporating wooden interior elements in a virtual environment promotes a state of relaxed attentional engagement, leading to improved cognitive performance. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Scientific Reports. Using Within-subject experimental design with neurophysiological and self-report measures. with 36 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the use of natural materials like wood in interior design to create spaces that support enhanced cognitive function and user well-being.

Study
Human FactorsNew This WeekStrong effect

Wooden interiors enhance cognitive performance through increased relaxation and balanced neural activity

Incorporating wooden interior elements in a virtual environment promotes a state of relaxed attentional engagement, leading to improved cognitive performance.

Scientific Reports · 2025

01

Key Findings

  • 01Wooden interiors elicited EEG patterns associated with relaxed attentional engagement (increased alpha-to-theta and alpha-to-beta ratios, decreased theta-to-beta ratio).
  • 02Wooden interiors were linked to higher self-reported relaxation and positive affect.
  • 03Cognitive performance was enhanced in the wooden interior condition compared to the control.
  • 04Nature views led to elevated physiological arousal.
  • 05Alpha-to-theta ratio and self-reported relaxation significantly predicted cognitive performance.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize the use of natural materials like wood in interior design to create spaces that support enhanced cognitive function and user well-being.

How to apply

When designing workspaces, educational facilities, or any environment where cognitive performance is critical, consider specifying wooden elements in the interior design.

Project actions

  • 01Consider how different materials might affect user mood and cognitive abilities.
  • 02Explore the use of natural elements in your design to promote well-being.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the neurophysiological and affective responses to nature-inspired indoor design elements (curvilinear forms, nature views, wooden interiors) and their impact on cognitive performance.
MethodWithin-subject experimental design with neurophysiological and self-report measures.
ProcedureParticipants experienced a control condition and three experimental conditions (curvilinear forms, nature views, wooden interiors) within a virtual reality environment. EEG data was collected to measure neural activity, participants rated their relaxation and valence, and standardized tasks assessed cognitive performance.
Sample36 participants
ContextVirtual reality simulation of indoor environments.

Variables

IV["Type of indoor environment design (control, curvilinear forms, nature views, wooden interiors)"]
DV["EEG patterns (e.g., alpha-to-theta ratio, alpha-to-beta ratio, theta-to-beta ratio)","Self-reported relaxation","Self-reported valence (affective state)","Cognitive performance (task completion time, accuracy)"]
CV["Virtual environment setting","Standardized cognitive tasks","Participant experience (within-subject design)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Utilizes objective neurophysiological measures (EEG).
  • +Combines multiple measures (EEG, self-report, cognitive performance) for a comprehensive understanding.

Limitations

The study was conducted in a virtual environment, which may not perfectly replicate real-world experiences. The specific design of the wooden interior and other elements could also influence the results.

Reliability & validity

The use of standardized tasks and within-subject design enhances reliability. Validity is supported by the convergence of neurophysiological, affective, and performance data.

Think critically

How might the specific type of wood, its finish, and its proportion within a space further influence these cognitive and affective responses?

05

Design Principles

"Integrate natural materials to foster relaxed attentional states and improve cognitive performance."

This research provides neurophysiological evidence that specific material choices, like wood, can positively influence cognitive function by modulating brain activity and emotional states. Designers can leverage this insight to create environments that not only look appealing but also actively support user productivity and well-being.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Using wood in a room can make people feel more relaxed and focused, which helps them think better and perform tasks more effectively.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the psychological impact of material choices in your design project.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that the incorporation of natural materials, such as wood, can significantly enhance cognitive performance by promoting a state of relaxed attentional engagement. Studies using neurophysiological measures like EEG have shown that wooden interiors are associated with improved alpha-to-theta and alpha-to-beta ratios, indicative of balanced brain activity conducive to focus and relaxation, leading to better task performance.

09

Source

Scientific Reports

Cognitive efficiency in VR simulated natural indoor environments examined through EEG and affective responses

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about wooden interiors enhance cognitive performance through increased relaxation and balanced neural activity?
Prioritize the use of natural materials like wood in interior design to create spaces that support enhanced cognitive function and user well-being. Evidence: Scientific Reports (2025).
Why does "Wooden interiors enhance cognitive performance through increased relaxation and balanced neural activity" matter for design?
This research provides neurophysiological evidence that specific material choices, like wood, can positively influence cognitive function by modulating brain activity and emotional states. Designers can leverage this insight to create environments that not only look appealing but also actively support user productivity and well-being.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize the use of natural materials like wood in interior design to create spaces that support enhanced cognitive function and user well-being.
What were the main findings?
Wooden interiors elicited EEG patterns associated with relaxed attentional engagement (increased alpha-to-theta and alpha-to-beta ratios, decreased theta-to-beta ratio).. Wooden interiors were linked to higher self-reported relaxation and positive affect.. Cognitive performance was enhanced in the wooden interior condition compared to the control.. Nature views led to elevated physiological arousal.
What research method was used?
Within-subject experimental design with neurophysiological and self-report measures. with 36 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Scientific Reports.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing workspaces, educational facilities, or any environment where cognitive performance is critical, consider specifying wooden elements in the interior design.
What are the limitations?
Findings are based on a virtual environment, and the specific spatial typologies explored were limited. The study did not isolate the effects of wood from other potential confounding factors within the virtual environment.