The paper discusses selected issues related to designing residential environment in the context of the broadly understood spatial perception. The authors presents selected dependences that emerge between the designed spatial systems and their users. Attention was focused on social phenomena and psychology-related issues that occur in the dynamically changing urban structures. How do we perceive the environment in which we function day by day? What affects the comfort of its use? Which factors determine our attachment to the place of residence, its climate and safety? Does the contemporary architecture foster the creation of places that positively affect our mental condition and emotions? Does it create the possibilities of building integrating spaces? Are we, the users, able to affect it in any way?