Wellness design or “holistic design” is an approach that focuses on the whole person, entire space, and the well-being of the people who will use it. It takes into account an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being and those same aspects of a space and aims to create a harmonious environment that promotes health, happiness, and balance.
Designing homes from a wellness standpoint has become a trend among conscious consumer groups. But, in recent years, the pandemic, remote work, sickness, and the stress of it all, have made us all become a little more aware of our space and how we use it. So, now more people are looking for more than just beauty in their spaces. They want to create living spaces that promote better physical and mental health while being conscious of energy, function, and flow at home.
This is exciting because we are all for spaces that have depth and substance both energetically and physically. With the right design elements, a home can become a sanctuary that provides relaxation, rejuvenation, and restoration.
Here are some key principles to think about to bring a wellness component to your designs.
Focus on natural light and fresh air.
Large windows, skylights, and open spaces can help to bring in natural light and improve indoor air quality. Plants can also be incorporated into the design to improve the air quality and create a more natural and peaceful ambiance.
Prioritize the use of natural materials.
Sustainable, eco-friendly materials like bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood can provide a sense of connection to nature and reduce the number of toxins in the home. Don’t forget to check your cleaning, laundry, and personal care products when seeking out toxins in your environment.
Create spaces that encourage relaxation and stress relief.
Meditation rooms, spa-like bathrooms, and calming spaces like reading nooks or outdoor retreats can all help to promote a sense of calm and tranquility.
Learn more about smart technology.
Tech can also play a role in creating a wellness environment at home. Smart home systems that control lighting, water consumption, temperature, and air quality can help to create a comfortable and healthy living space. Additionally, technology can be used to incorporate sound therapy, aromatherapy, and other wellness practices into the home.
Designing a home with wellness in mind requires a thoughtful approach that considers a range of factors, but the most important factor is to think people and planet-focused design. When you consider the person’s and planet’s well-being first when designing a place, you have set the foundation for good wellness design. Wellness design gives us the opportunity to improve the quality of life and make people better and whole again. This concept, it’s like a domino effect in the world. When people are healthier, feel better, and are more conscious of their environment, then in return, they show up better in the world, in all ways. They make better decisions that not only affect them but the world around them.
Wellness design is a new approach to improving people’s quality of life and improving the state of the world and our planet. According to the American Society of Interior Designers, “health and wellness” is rated as one of the top interior design trends for 2022. Wellness is estimated by the Global Wellness Institute to be a multi-trillion-dollar market with an estimated 275 billion spent towards Real-estate wellness. This alone says people are waking up to the effects of wellness in home design. It is safe to say wellness design is here to stay and will be the future of interior design.
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