--- title: Underwhelming Design. Less is More. description: Discover the power of underwhelming design in creating peace and clarity in your life, and how it can enhance your emotional responses to your environment. image: https://www.discrete-designs.com/hubfs/River%20Road%20Revival%20Living%20Room%203.jpg --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog/under-whelming-design.-less-is-more#main-content) [![Discrete Designs](https://www.discrete-designs.com/hubfs/discrete-designs-icon-2025.svg "Discrete Designs")](https://www.discrete-designs.com) [![Discrete Designs](https://www.discrete-designs.com/hubfs/discrete-designs-icon-2025.svg "Discrete Designs")](https://www.discrete-designs.com) - [ Design ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/design) - [ Build ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/build) - [ Remodel ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/remodel) - [ Our Projects ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/our-projects) - [ About ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/about) - [ Blog ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog) - [ Contact ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/contact) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu - [ Design ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/design) - [ Build ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/build) - [ Remodel ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/remodel) - [ Our Projects ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/our-projects) - [ About ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/about) - [ Blog ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog) - [ Contact ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/contact) [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/thediscretehome/) [Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/thediscretehome) 1 min read # Underwhelming Design. Less is More. [![Picture of Jessica Soldner](https://www.discrete-designs.com/hubfs/3Z5A6407-1.jpg) Jessica Soldner ](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog/author/jessica-soldner) : Sep 3, 2024 1:29:39 PM ![Underwhelming Design. Less is More.](https://www.discrete-designs.com/hubfs/River%20Road%20Revival%20Living%20Room%203.jpg) Since the invention of the internet our world has expanded. We have endless choices for each decision we make, no matter where we look. Just try shopping for any simple necessity, like toothpaste, and you will see just how many choices there are.  So how do we begin to filter our options?  Designers and architects have long understood the profound impact their work has on people's physical and mental well-being. Recent advancements in technology have enabled experts to test and analyze our emotional responses to the built environment. Have you ever been in a place that made you feel safe, calm, and relaxed? On the contrary, can you recall a space that made you feel on edge, or frustrated? If you bring to mind these occasions, other than the people in that place, you may not be able to distinguish why you felt these emotional responses. The more research and studies that are performed, the more information we have to prove what we previously could not put into words. When you wake up in the morning, or drive up to your home after a long day, what are the physical and emotional responses you wish to have? Although the answer to this question will vary for each individual based on life experiences and circumstances, I have found that in a world of abundance, most people are searching for simplicity and clarity. They need a filter to put into focus what they really value.  Too many things to look at distract us and endless options can cause decision paralysis. By clearing out the excess and redefining what matters we are able to clearly see what is important. Details matter, but if everything is important, then nothing is.  Correctly utilizing scale and proportion in architecture creates a sense of balance and peace. When you start with the large statement spaces to focus the attention, then draw the viewer in to create awe and wonder you are able to convey an emotion through architecture. Adding just the right amount of smaller elements gives depth and interest and invites exploration.  In a world of mass produced products and cheap knockoffs, we value craftsmanship. Our design philosophy at Discrete Designs is that less is more and quality always supersedes quantity. We invite you to take inventory of your life. Where can you apply these design philosophies to create more peace in your life? ### Subscribe Here! ### Recent Posts - [The Emotional Rollercoaster of Construction](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog/the-emotional-rollercoaster-of-construction) - [The People Behind Your Home](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog/the-people-behind-your-home) - [Roadblocks: What's Really Holding You Back From Loving Your Home?](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog/roadblocks-whats-really-holding-you-back-from-loving-your-home) - [MAKING SPACE](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog/making-space) - [The Art of Coming Home: Inspired by My Travels](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog/the-art-of-coming-home-inspired-by-my-travels) ### Share This [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discrete-designs.com%2Fblog%2Fstarting-anew.-the-ritual-of-bathing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discrete-designs.com%2Fblog%2Fstarting-anew.-the-ritual-of-bathing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discrete-designs.com%2Fblog%2Fstarting-anew.-the-ritual-of-bathing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discrete-designs.com%2Fblog%2Fstarting-anew.-the-ritual-of-bathing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Starting%20Anew.%20The%20Ritual%20of%20Bathing.) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discrete-designs.com%2Fblog%2Fstarting-anew.-the-ritual-of-bathing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.hubspot.com%2Fhub%2F158015%2F305390_10100548508246879_837195_59275782_6882128_n.jpg) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discrete-designs.com%2Fblog%2Fstarting-anew.-the-ritual-of-bathing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discrete-designs.com%2Fblog%2Fstarting-anew.-the-ritual-of-bathing%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) 309 MAIN STREET COLD SPRING, MN 56320 320-200-7788 - [DESIGN](https://www.discrete-designs.com/design) - [BUILD](https://www.discrete-designs.com/build) - [REMODEL](https://www.discrete-designs.com/remodel) - [OUR PROJECTS](https://www.discrete-designs.com/our-projects) - [ABOUT](https://www.discrete-designs.com/about) - [BLOG](https://www.discrete-designs.com/blog) - [CONTACT](https://www.discrete-designs.com/contact) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.discrete-designs.com/privacy-policy) © 2026 DISCRETE DESIGNS [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/thediscretehome/)[Houzz ](https://www.houzz.com/pro/jessica-soldner/discrete-designs)[Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/thediscretehome/) Return to top ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressLocality" : "Cold Spring", "addressRegion" : "MN", "postalCode" : "56320", "streetAddress" : "309 Main Street" }, "description" : "Discover the power of underwhelming design in creating peace and clarity in your life, and how it can enhance your emotional responses to your environment.", "geo" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "46.8257297", "longitude" : "-95.8708095" }, "image" : "https://4768470.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4768470/Logos%202025/Copy%20of%20Discrete-Logo-Full-Color.svg", "name" : "Discrete Designs", "telephone" : "320-200-7788" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "WebSite", "description" : "Discover the power of underwhelming design in creating peace and clarity in your life, and how it can enhance your emotional responses to your environment.", "image" : "https://4768470.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4768470/River%20Road%20Revival%20Living%20Room%203.jpg", "name" : "Underwhelming Design. 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