Lifestyle By Design - For Dyslexics

Life can feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle when you’re unaware of the influence your surroundings have on you. If you have dyslexia or ADHD, you might not realise how much your environment shapes your daily successes, frustrations, or sense of peace. In this podcast episode, I explore why designing your space to fit your mind can be a serious game-changer.

It all starts with the idea that if you couldn’t walk, you’d create a house that suits your needs. You’d install ramps, special handles, and carefully arrange furniture so you could function. The same principle applies to dyslexia and ADHD. When your environment helps you focus and supports the way your brain learns best, things feel easier, not tougher. Let’s dig into how you can make that happen.

Why Your Environment Matters

Imagine coming home every day to a living space that drains you. Maybe it’s full of clutter or harsh lighting. Instead of boosting your creativity or helping you unwind, it makes you tense. Sound familiar? We overlook our surroundings and then wonder why we’re stressed or distracted.

With dyslexia or ADHD, your environment can either help you flow or stop you in your tracks. Clutter can pull focus. Noise can overwhelm you. Distractions can multiply. When you step back and organise your space with intention, you’re giving your mind the calm and clarity it craves. It’s not about tidying like mad, but about shaping a place that gives you an advantage.

“The stuff around you matters. If you couldn’t walk, you’d build your house differently. With dyslexia and ADHD, we have to do the same, or we’re battling uphill.”

Dyslexia, ADHD, and Design

Now, why is it so crucial for dyslexics and ADHDers to adapt their physical surroundings? Because we process the world differently. We pick up on different cues. We might see patterns or become easily overwhelmed by details that others tune out. When you design your environment with those differences in mind, you’re removing hurdles you never even realised were there.

For instance, in my home office, I keep my desk near a window but away from foot traffic. That mix of natural light and fewer interruptions keeps me grounded. I keep colour coding to a minimum too. It might work for some people, but my brain finds it distracting. I had to experiment to see what worked and discard what didn’t.

Practical Ideas to Get Started

You don’t have to throw out all your furniture or hire a fancy interior designer. Small adjustments can bring big benefits. Start by noticing where you naturally gravitate at home. Is that place calm or is it cluttered? What can you remove or shift to make it simpler and more welcoming?

Here are a few practical tips:

• Choose a focal point. Pick one surface—like your desk or kitchen table—to keep clear.
• Use lighting that feels warm and encourages focus. Harsh lighting can trigger stress.
• Keep often-used items within reach, so you’re not rummaging in drawers. Less time searching equals fewer mental hurdles.
• Experiment with background sounds. Try gentle music if total silence causes your mind to wander.

Making these small tweaks can unearth a sense of calm you didn’t have before. You’ll notice you spend less energy battling your surroundings and more on the things that truly matter.

Revamp Your Routines

Environment isn’t just about chairs and shelves. It’s also about how you move through your day. If you stumble each morning because the bathroom is lit like a stadium, that’s an environmental factor. If you can’t focus on a job task because your phone’s always buzzing at your elbow, that’s part of your environment too.

We talk a lot about routines, but how do you merge routine with design? One idea is to set up zones. Have a reading zone with good light and minimal tech. Have a “creation” zone that’s flexible and easy to tidy. Keep a “relaxation” zone free from anything work-related. Aligning routines with physical spaces can ground you in the task at hand.

1. Identify main tasks in your day—reading, relaxing, working.
2. Assign each task a spot to happen in—think reading corner, lounge area, or desk.
3. Adjust each spot to fit the task—soft lighting for reading, comfy seating for relaxing, minimal clutter for working.

When you tie activities to places, it’s easier to slip into the mindset you need. No more battling to focus on reading while your laptop stares at you. No more trying to relax in the same chair that reminds you of deadlines.

Living by Design, Not by Default

It’s tempting to settle into routines that aren’t quite right. We take what we get in our homes or offices and just survive with it. But when you live by design, you choose how each space should support you. You free up mental energy that used to go to worrying about background noise, clutter, or losing your keys yet again.

Don’t worry if you can’t make everything perfect overnight. We’re not aiming for a showroom. It’s about continuous improvements that support your dyslexia and ADHD. When something is throwing you off—like a squeaky chair or a distracting paint colour—change it if you can. Each small action adds up.

In time, you’ll notice you’re not as tense or frustrated. Once you see the benefits, you can’t help but tweak other areas of your life. This is how designing for dyslexia and ADHD becomes a habit rather than a one-off project you do and forget.

Key Takeaways

• Your environment either helps or hinders you—it’s rarely neutral.
• Small changes like better lighting or fewer distractions can have a big impact.
• Designating zones for specific tasks helps your mind switch gears.
• Tweaking your routines is as important as rearranging your furniture.
• Experiment and adjust until you find what feels good for your brain.

You deserve a space that doesn’t fight against how your mind works. Organise it with dyslexia and ADHD in mind. It’s amazing how much difference a few shifts can make.

Ready to hear the full story? Have a listen to the podcast episode at the top of this page or on your favourite platform. I dive deeper into practical tips, personal experiences, and more ways to create an environment that sets you up for success.