Houses are a product of design, just like places in the digital world, because they determine how we move, feel, and function every day. Just as UX (User Experience) focuses on making experiences intuitive and satisfying in the digital world, UX applied to architecture and interiors can improve spaces to suit our lives in the physical world. It is about creating environments that not only look good but also work for living in, something that has always been the domain of architects. Therefore, in this sense, it can be enriching to look at other interprofessional disciplines to see what new perspectives, techniques, and principles they can bring to us that we can apply. Today we will look at user experience, which is a primarily digital discipline that has much in common with architecture and design in the physical world, both of which are interdisciplinary and closely related, as we will see below.

What is user experience (UX) and where does it originate?

Most people associate the term UX with websites and apps. UX is a field born out of the digital revolution with the goal of ensuring that products, interfaces, and services meet real human needs in an intuitive and enjoyable way. Essentially, it’s about how a person feels when interacting with something, from ease of use to emotional satisfaction.

Donald Norman at UCSD in the mid-1980s

The roots of UX go beyond the Internet. This discipline is based on psychology, cognitive science, design, and ergonomics. It took shape in the 1990s, when Don Norman, professor emeritus of psychology and founding director of the cognitive science department at UCSD (University of California, San Diego), began working at Apple and coined the term “user experience design” to encompass more than just usability; rather, it refers to the entire journey a person takes with a product or system.

But user experience is not limited to screens. In fact, UX has become a crucial part of many industries today, directly linked to the success of countless products and applications, shaping how we shop, communicate, and live more comfortably. It can be said that many of the trends that originated in digital format are being transferred to design in the physical world.

The same principles that guide the design of a frictionless, seamless online shopping experience can help us shape our physical spaces. Think of the home not just as a structure, but as a living interface that you navigate, and where habits are created every day.

Why interrelate UX with architecture?

Both UX and architecture are based on psychology, design theory, ergonomics, and even sociology. Being inherently interdisciplinary, they can powerfully inform and enrich each other. Applying UX thinking to architecture can help create spaces that respond more intricately to human behavior, while lessons from physical space can also inspire better digital experiences. If there is one thing that all fields related to architecture and UX have in common, it is that they create environments, or rather, modify them in certain ways. In fact, in its early days, UX borrowed many of its skeuomorphic decisions from physical architecture (website backgrounds that look like brick walls, columns, arches, or even the structure of buildings to create a sense of scale and depth).

It is also a different approach to user needs. Traditional architecture tends to place a lot of emphasis on context: how a building fits into its surroundings, how it relates to neighboring structures, or how it shapes the urban landscape. While this perspective is important, it sometimes overlooks the user’s daily experience. Research into human needs can be overshadowed by commercial interests, aesthetic statements, or zoning requirements. The result is that user-centered considerations do not always receive the priority they deserve.

In contrast, UX design starts with the user, and does so in a radical way. It is based almost entirely on detailed user research, empathy maps, iterative prototypes, and constant testing in the real market. Products are launched with solid analytics to understand exactly how people behave, and thanks to the granularity of analysis that the digital format allows, much more detailed and up-to-date data is obtained. Business objectives continue to play an important role, but user experience and satisfaction are key metrics of success. Attention, retention, and longevity are the maxims to which we aspire. For this reason, user experience routinely provides new insights into human behavior, insights that could significantly enrich architectural thinking if borrowed more directly.

Furthermore, UX evolves at a faster pace than architecture, which can take years to go from design to construction and testing. This accelerated learning loop means that UX often discovers new human-centered ideas; ideas that architecture can borrow to improve the way we shape physical spaces. In a way, user experience becomes a rapidly advancing laboratory for understanding how people navigate, feel, and behave in design environments.

How can UX be applied to physical spaces in practice?

Surely, potential future applications go much further, but based on the main conceptual pillars of UX today, we will describe some examples of how they can be directly applied to architecture.

A house or apartment is the quintessential product that is used on a daily basis. It influences mood, stress levels, productivity, and even health. When we look at our home from a user experience perspective, we begin to ask ourselves different questions:

– Does the design support my habits and routines? (User flows)

– Does each room clearly communicate its function? (Accessibility)

– Are there clear focal points in the environment, or is it cluttered? (Visual hierarchy)

– Is it easy to navigate my space? (Information architecture and accessibility)

– How does my space make me feel? (Emotional design)

Let’s explore these UX concepts and see how they apply to your living environment.

1. User flows: design for natural movement

In UX, user flows map out how someone moves through an app to complete a goal: buying a product, booking a ticket. In a home, daily flows might be:

* Wake up → bathroom → kitchen → office

* Come home → put down keys → hang up jacket → relax in living room

Good design makes these movements effortless. For example:

– Keep frequently used items within easy reach. Don’t put everyday dishes on the top shelf. Keep a small tray next to the bed for glasses and water.

– Place a console table or hooks next to the entrance for keys and bags. Add a bench for comfortable shoe changing. Install a small mirror for last-minute checks.

– Make sure that paths are not blocked by furniture so you don’t have to zigzag awkwardly. Put chairs away after use. Place baskets under tables instead of next to them to keep hallways clear.

When these flows are intuitive, you save energy (mental and physical) and reduce frustration (sometimes subconscious).

2. Accessibility: spaces that indicate their use

Accessibility is a clue to how something works. A button on a website looks like it can be clicked. The handle of a cup invites you to pick it up.

At home, accessibility helps spaces communicate their purpose:

– A plush armchair next to a lamp invites you to read.

– A bench near the door invites you to put on your shoes.

– A kitchen island with stools says, “Gather here.”

– A cozy window filled with cushions invites you to relax.

– A wall-mounted chalkboard next to the kitchen reminds you to plan meals.

– A large mirror in the hallway invites you to take a look before you leave.

– Hooks next to the door invite you to hang hats and bags.

– A small shelf with chargers next to the sofa says, “plug in here.”

– A brightly colored rug under the dining table makes the area a gathering place.

– A bookcase with a comfortable chair next to it suggests, “sit down and browse.”

If a space doesn’t have a clear function, it can feel uncomfortable or underutilized. Think about how a dining table buried under clutter is no longer inviting for eating.

3. Visual hierarchy: guiding the eye and the mind

On a website, visual hierarchy uses size, color, and placement to indicate what is important. Headlines are large. Calls to action are in bright colors.

Our home also has a hierarchy. Certain features first attract the eye: a fireplace, a large window with a view, a striking piece of art.

You can design this intentionally:

– Place seating in front of the best view or focal point.

– Use lighting to highlight artwork or architectural features.

– Keep main lines of sight uncluttered; let storage hide clutter.

– Hang curtains higher and wider to draw the eye upward.

– Use contrasting cushions or blankets to highlight a chair.

– Arrange decor in odd numbers for a natural focus.

– Place a plant near windows to draw attention to the outdoors.

– Choose a striking rug to visually anchor the space.

– Add mirrors to reflect light and multiply focal points.

– Store clutter in decorative baskets so that the eyes are drawn to the intended highlights.

– Use layered lighting (floor lamps, wall sconces, candles) to create visual depth.

A solid hierarchy calms the mind. Without it, rooms feel chaotic and stressful.

4. Feedback: lighting, textures, and emotional responses

In UX, feedback indicates that an action has worked: a button changes color when pressed. In homes, feedback is more subtle but powerful.

– A light that turns on instantly reassures us.

– The soft textures of a bedroom indicate that it’s time to relax.

– The echo of an empty hallway can be cold and unsettling.

– A gentle breeze from a window tells you that you can open up.

– The warmth of a sunlit floor invites you to sit down.

– The soft click of a latch indicates privacy.

– The soft scent of a diffuser or incense indicates relaxation.

– The muffled silence of a thick carpet underfoot calms your pace.

– The silence of thick curtains muffles outside noise, conveying calm.

– A soft creak on old wooden floors indicates that the house is “alive.”

Choose materials, colors, and lighting that send the right signals. Warm, dimmable lights offer a soft response at night. Smooth handles, plush rugs, or cool stone underfoot influence the perception of space.

5. Accessibility: designing for all users

Although UX also attempts to tailor the design to a specific audience in each case, a good user experience will always tend to appeal to a wider audience than a private home. It will depend greatly on the particular tastes of its residents, but you can draw inspiration from some of these aspects to consider:

– Essential items should be at an accessible height.

– Make sure that hallways are wide enough for strollers or mobility aids.

– Avoid slippery floors in wet areas.

– Install grab bars in bathrooms.

– Use lever handles instead of knobs for easier grip.

– Make sure light switches are at an accessible height.

– Include seating in long hallways or near entrances.

– Choose contrasting colors for the edges of steps to prevent tripping.

– Opt for flush or low-profile thresholds to reduce tripping.

– Keep hallways free of rugs that can slip or bunch up.

– Add motion-activated lights in dark areas.

Accessibility is not a new issue in architecture, and you may not need to consider these factors now, but when designing a new construction or renovation, they may provide us with a home that is suitable for all stages of life in the future.

6. Emotional design: the joy factor

Don Norman spoke of three levels of emotional design:

1. Visceral: Immediate impact, such as colors, shapes, textures.

2. Behavioral: How it works in everyday use.

3. Reflective: The meaning or memories it evokes.

At home:

– Visceral: A sunlit room can make us smile as soon as we walk in, a work of art catches our eye, the soft feel of the bedding can instantly calm us.

– Behavioral: The workflow in the kitchen is so fluid that cooking is effortless, drawers open with one hand while stirring, light switches are perfectly placed when moving from room to room.

– Reflective: Family photos, travel souvenirs, and heirlooms connect us to our history; a bookshelf filled with our favorite novels tells the story of who we are; a classic chair brings back fond memories.

A truly satisfying space is the one that involves all three levels.

7. How to apply UX thinking at home

Here’s a simple way to get started:

1. Observe your daily routines, what frustrates you, where clutter accumulates.

2. Try small changes. Rearrange furniture to improve flow (for example, adding a side table where you always end up leaving your cup).

3. Use zones, clearly defining those for work, play, and rest. Even in small apartments, rugs or lighting can define different spaces.

4. Clear your lines of sight. Make sure that when you look across a room, there is something pleasant to catch your eye.

5. Personalize thoroughly. Mix soothing neutral bases with personal and meaningful accents.

The principles mentioned in this article are surely only the most obvious and general ones that we can transfer from UX to physical architecture. Some of them are not necessarily new discoveries, but there are undoubtedly more layers of knowledge behind the façade, and if one delves into the concept of UX and its principles, one will find inspiration for more practical applications in one’s own home or in the profession of architecture and interior design.

Ultimately, we can all design our own personal, individualized user experience. Our home is more than just walls and furniture; it is the place where we live our lives. Applying UX principles to architecture and interior design helps to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but also intuitively support our routines, our well-being, and even our happiness.

So the next time we consider renovating our home, let’s not just think about style. Let’s think about usability, fluidity, and the joy it can bring us.

Sources:

Nemeth, Adam. Connections between UX and Architecture (2017) Medium

Ukleja, Marcin. The intersection between Architecture and (so-called) UX Design (2018) UXdesign.cc

Gattupalli, Ankitha. Human-Centered Design: What Architects Can Learn from UX Designers (2022) Archdaily

Najjar, Reem. Architecture & UX: drawing parallels and identifying opportunities (2020) UXdesign.cc