A recent study on the impact of wood on the quality of interior ambiance explored these physical benefits, emphasizing the importance of natural materials to enhance mental and physical health and overall wellbeing. Particularly in colder, overcast climates where daylight is dull and uniform, wood surfaces were found to bring warmth and brightness to a space. A prior study from Japan also found physiological and psychological benefits from wood, concluding that the blood pressure of its test subjects decreased significantly in rooms where wood made up more surface area. The study also concluded that a room with 45 percent wood coverage across all surfaces (including walls and ceilings) was most preferred by participants and most likely to be labeled “comfortable.”
