Interior Design in the Age of Digital Addiction: The Role of Digital Detox Spaces

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 171 - 187, 10.07.2025

Yasemin Erdoğan Biter

https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1677363

Abstract

Digital addiction has become an unavoidable reality of modern life. The excessive use of technological devices can adversely affect individuals' mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In this context, the concept of digital detox emerges as a crucial process that allows individuals to temporarily disconnect from technology in order to enhance their awareness and support their psychological wellness.

Interior design plays a pivotal role in optimizing the digital detox experience. In particular, the minimalist design approach characterized by simplicity, functionality, and the elimination of superfluous stimuli can reduce cognitive load and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Additionally, the integration of natural elements serves to reinforce individuals’ connection to nature while contributing to a reduction in stress levels.

This study aims to examine the influence of minimalist and nature-based approaches in the design of digital detox spaces. The research addresses the causes of digital addiction and its detrimental effects on individuals, subsequently exploring how minimalist design principles, natural components, and sensory equilibrium can enhance the effectiveness of the digital detox process.

The findings demonstrate that minimalist and nature-oriented interior design strategies support individuals' digital detox experiences by fostering psychological and physiological relief. This study aspires to serve as a guiding reference in the future development of digital detox environments.

Keywords

Digital addiction , Digital detox , Interior space design , Sensory design , Well-being , Spatial experience

Supporting Institution

none

References

• Alfareza, E. (2022). Spiritual Rituals in Creating the Morality of Indonesian Students in Sakarya Turkey. In Jurnal Studi Agama (Vol. 6, Issue 2, p. 104). https://doi.org/10.19109/jsa.v6i2.15231
• Anandpara, G., Kharadi, A., Vidja, P., Chauhan, Y., Mahajan, S., & Patel, J. (2024). A Comprehensive Review on Digital Detox: A Newer Health and Wellness Trend in the Current Era [Review of A Comprehensive Review on Digital Detox: A Newer Health and Wellness Trend in the Current Era]. Cureus. Cureus, Inc. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.58719
• Arenas-Escaso, J. F., Folgado-Fernández, J. A., & Palos‐Sánchez, P. R. (2024). Internet Interventions and Therapies for Addressing the Negative Impact of Digital Overuse: A Focus on Digital-Free Tourism and Economic Sustainability. BMC Public Health, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17584-6
• Becan, C., & Eaghanioskoui, G. (2019). The Effect of Instagram as a Tool of Conspicuous Consumption on Purchase Motivation of Consumers. Electronic Journal of New Media, 3(2), 84–101. https://doi.org/10.17932/iau.ejnm.25480200.2019.3/2.84-101
• Dragano, N., & Lunau, T. (2020). Technostress at Work and Mental Health: Concepts and Research Results. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 33(4), 407. https://doi.org/10.1097/yco.0000000000000613
• Eklemezler, S. (2024). Dialectical Materialism. DergiPark (Istanbul University). https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/kulturveiletisim/issue/87456/1463295
• Enli, G. (n.d.). Digital Detox Convergence. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/76333/DigitalDetox_Convergence_Enli.pdf
• Genuis, S. J., Sears, M., Schwalfenberg, G., Hope, J., & Bernhoft, R. A. (2013). Clinical Detoxification: Elimination of Persistent Toxicants from the Human Body. The Scientific World Journal, 2013(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/238347
• Hidayatullah, F., Zainuddin, Z. I., & Putra, K. A. D. (2022). Napping Areas and Nap Pods in Academic Library. Record and Library Journal, 8(2), 228–238. https://doi.org/10.20473/rlj.v8-i2.2022.228-238
• Hira, S. (2023). Drees & Sommer Headquarters. http://globalhop.indiaartndesign.com/2013/11/drees-sommer-headquarters-stuttgart.html
• Horuz, S. (2021). Touring Europe, Envisioning Homeland: Istanbul in Two Nineteenth-Century Ottoman Travelogues. Yıllık: Annual of Istanbul Studies, 3(1), 69. https://doi.org/10.53979/yillik.2021.4
• Keskin, T., Ergan, M., Başkurt, F., & Başkurt, Z. (2018). The Relationship Between Smartphone Use and Headache in University Students. Adıyaman University Journal of Health Sciences, 4(2), 864. https://doi.org/10.30569/adiyamansaglik.428223
• Kılıç, B., Kırlı, G., & Esen, F. Ö. (2017). Relationship Between Social Media Use and Self-Perception: A Study on Touristic Consumers. Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences, 16(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.21547/jss.283064
• Liu, Y., Linyan, F., & Zhao, J. (2023). Research and Practice of Restorative Landscape Design Under the Direction of Healthy City. SHS Web of Conferences, 174, 3021. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202317403021
• Marson, M., & McAllister, J. (2021). The Human Connection to an Intelligent Building. Intelligent Buildings International, 13(3), 162. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508975.2021.1872480
• Miksch, L., & Schulz, C. (2018). Disconnect to Reconnect: The Phenomenon of Digital Detox as a Reaction to Technology Overload. https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8944615/file/8944623.pdf
• Mirbabaie, M., Stieglitz, S., & Marx, J. (2022). Digital Detox. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 64(2), 239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12599-022-00747-x
• Onur, M., & Altuntaş, S. K. (2021). Parametrizing Historical Islamköy Courtyard-Dwellings: Spatial Quality Parameters and Evaluation via AHP Method. International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, 9(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v9.n1.886
• Pawłowska-Legwand, A., & Matoga, Ł. (2020). Disconnect from the Digital World to Reconnect with Real Life: A Case Study of Unplugged Tourism Development in Poland. Tourism Planning & Development, 18(6), 649. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2020.1842487
• Rutha, N. M. H., & Abbas, S. S. (2021). The Role of Technology in Enhancing Place Attachment in Public Space. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1094(1), 012034. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/1094/1/012034
• Sagbaş, N. Ö. (2001). Life in the Digital World. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/life-in-the-digital-world/325190
• Sahu, G. (2021). Impact of Biophilic Design on Health and Wellbeing. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijcsrr/v4-i5-08
• Sancak, N., et al. (2023). Photogrammetric Model Optimization in Digitalization of Architectural Heritage: Yedikule Fortress. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLVIII-M-2, 1403. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xlviii-m-2-2023-1403-2023
• Şimşek, O. (2020). Evaluation of Acoustic Conditions in Concert Halls: A Case Study of Adana Metropolitan Municipality Concert Hall. Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University Journal of Science, 7(1), 239. https://doi.org/10.35193/bseufbd.711592
• Sözen, E. (2021). Determining Color, FTIR and Microscopic Changes in Wood Caused by Accelerated UV Aging. Bartın University Journal of Forestry, 23(2), 536. https://doi.org/10.24011/barofd.891805
• Spence, C. (2020a). Senses of Place: Architectural Design for the Multisensory Mind. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-020-00243-4
• Spence, C. (2020b). Designing for the Multisensory Mind. Architectural Design, 90(6), 42. https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.2630
• Syvertsen, T., & Enli, G. (2019). Digital Detox: Media Resistance and the Promise of Authenticity. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 26, 1269. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856519847325
• Taşdemir, G. Ö., & Gümüşay, B. (2020). Color and Pattern as Tools of Spatial and Conceptual Transfer in Interior Design Studios: A Case Study of Surface Work. The Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art and Communication. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/tojdac/issue/50949/664721
• The Biological Paradigm in the Technological Future. (2024). https://www.di.net/di-media/articles/2024-quarterly/04-the-biological-paradigm-in-the-technological-future-deedee-birch/
• This German Workplace Shows the Functional Power of Colour. (2023). https://www.frameweb.com/article/this-german-workplace-shows-the-functional-power-of-colour
• Vacayou. (2023b). 5 Digital Detox Retreats Where You Can Disconnect. https://vacayou.com/magazine/digital-detox-retreats/
• Vuscan, S., & Muntean, R. (2023). Multifunctional Homes: A Sustainable Answer to the Challenges of the Future. Sustainability, 15(7), 5624. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075624
• Weinstein, A., Feder, L. C., Rosenberg, K. P., & Dannon, P. N. (2014). Internet Addiction Disorder. In Elsevier eBooks, 99. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-407724-9.00005-7
• Wittgenstein, L. (2021). Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Anthem Press eBooks, 56. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv22d4t7n.8
• Xie, H., Chen, Q., Nespoli, C., & Riso, T. (2022). Understanding the Cognitive Immersion of Hospitality Architecture in Culture and Nature: Cultural Psychology and Neuroscience Views. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.833819
• Yan, S., Azmi, A., Mansor, N., Wang, Z., & Wang, Y. (2024). Healing Spaces as a Design Approach to Optimize Emotional Regulation for Patients with Mood Disorders. Buildings, 14(2), 472. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020472
• Yeler, G. M. (2022). Association of Learning Spaces with Nature: The Example of Zübeyde Hanım Kindergarten. Kırklareli University Journal of Engineering and Science, 8(2), 211. https://doi.org/10.34186/klujes.1198351