Trending Wellness-Focused Interior Design for a Happier Space
What comes to mind when you hear the word wellness? Typically, we think of exercising, eating right, managing stress, getting sufficient sleep, and practicing mindfulness.
But as time passes, we're becoming more and more aware of the part our environment plays in this equation, i.e. the built spaces where we live, work, learn, and play. Although the connection between art, built environment, aesthetics, wellbeing and health has long been established, its application to our home spaces is gaining momentum.
A wellness-focused interior design is an increasingly prevalent styling ethos which acknowledges that both residential and commercial buildings have a significant impact on both our mental, emotional, and physical health.
The 2001 National Human Activity Pattern Survey reveal that we spend an astonishing 90% of our time, on average, indoors. That's an absurdly high number and a perfect demonstration of how crucial and impactful the built environment is!
Although wellness architecture has existed for a while, wellness interior designs first emerged in offices before gaining attention in residential.
What is wellness-focused design?
The goal of wellness design is to optimize the health and wellbeing of those who occupy a building.
Wellness architecture improves life, whether it be in a home or business setting. There is, in fact, a scale that measures the structural soundness of a building using core eco-principles that include air, nourishment, community, movement, etc.
The central idea is that you deserve to live your healthiest, best life. And you can do that with mindful interior design.
For a personalized design that promotes wellness and health, contact JarvisInteriors.
Read related: WELLNESS FOCUSED INTERIOR DESIGN – designing interiors for health and well-being
Read also: Six Big Picture Wellness Design Trends For 2022
Current wellness design ideas for your interiors
1- Improve air quality.
Ensuring the air is clean and ridding of toxins are among the goals of wellness architecture. And letting the room breathe is a sound way to guarantee fresh air. The health of every space depends on adequate airflow. Indoor air quality improves greatly with high ceilings, large windows, and enough vents. Plants also help. Greenery is essential in its own right, but they also help purify the air.
2- Wise use of water.
What we consume plays a big part in planning for health and wellbeing. While on one hand it is meant to improve the nutrients our bodies absorb, on the other it seeks to minimize carbon footprint by lowering the use of finite, natural resources.
Water is part of both categories of consumption. Hence, to guarantee clean water and lessen your water usage, add cleansing filters and water-smart faucets in your home.
3- Ensure comfortable light.
Comfort is a priority in wellness-focused interior design so that you can perform at your best. One of the fundamental things that can significantly impact your life is light. It's because light has a profound effect on how we function everyday as it controls our sleep and wakefulness cycles.
This is due to our internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Low light can make us feel sleepy while harsh light can keep us up and disrupt our circadian rhythm when it's time to go to bed. Hence, arrange your lighting accordingly.
4- A healthier way to dine.
When the conditions are just right, mindful eating becomes effortless. Start by making the kitchen and dining areas calmer and more comfortable. A conducive kitchen area makes it easy to prepare nourishing dishes while a tranquil dining space creates the mood for enjoying the meal. Enhance your home's wellbeing by getting rid of clutter and decorating with minimalist furniture, some artwork, organic elements, and greenery.
5- Maintain balance in temperature or thermal comfort.
Health and well-being designs often incorporate subtle details that appear as décor. By using well-loved decorating techniques, you can maximize thermal comfort. Your electricity bill can be lowered by adding a fluffy carpeting, operable windows, wood paneling, and thick insulating curtains. You'll also need fewer resources to maintain the right temperature in your home.
6- Use design that stimulates activity to promote movement.
The goal of wellness interior design is to inspire us to have healthy, full lives. And life would undeniably be half as interesting without movement. Many options are available for promoting more activity at home. One is designing a welcoming gym, although this isn't necessarily the best motivation. Architecture and landscape design are the second and third approaches. For instance, you can design your home such that it promotes being outdoors.
7- Set the right acoustics.
The acoustic needs of different spaces vary. Hence, it is ideal to have soundproofing barriers in every room. Moreover, sound-absorbing materials eliminate echoes which then creates a calming auditory environment. Timber is a good element. Wood can also help reduce sound in addition to acting as an insulator.
If major changes are not doable, think about adding thick rugs, wood slats, or bookshelves to soften sound.
8- Create a sanctuary.
Upgrading to a wellness-focused space won't be complete without a sanctuary. It is a space intended especially for healing and restoration that has easy access to nature. You can take inspiration from tranquil spaces like exquisite bathhouses, spas, and meditation rooms.
9- Use eco-friendly products/materials.
Sustainable organic materials are essential to interior design that focuses on wellness. But eco-materials aren't only about waste reduction, energy efficiency, and source transparency. They ought to be non-toxic as well. The home's atmosphere is often polluted by hazardous substances that seep from treated materials. Chemically tinted wood, chemically coated tiles, fire-retardant materials, and formaldehyde-containing flooring are among the culprits.
Choose instead green products that are VOC- and chemical-free, such as stone, wool, bamboo, cork, clay, hempcrete, and other bio-based products. Using recycled plastic and steel for architecture and furniture, as well as buying secondhand, are sound ways to reduce your footprint.
10- Embrace community.
A healthy lifestyle includes having a healthy community. While having the neighbors over for dinner may not always be doable, you can cultivate social connections within your home. For instance, a spacious area for informal dining, such as a breakfast bar or a patio with comfortable seats can lead to stronger bonds and more happy memories.
11- Bring nature home.
Our minds are better uplifted the more connected we are to nature. Plants not only boost air quality, but they also make us feel good. Fortunately, incorporating interior design and wellness can be as simple as adding more blooms and greens to your space.
However, just being around greenery (or seeing it from your window) is enough to uplift your mood.
12- Support sustainable practices promoting wellness design.
Restore worn objects and upgrade the old rather than dismantling an existing structure and installing a brand new one. It won't just help you save money and resources; it will also make your space unique with an amazing modern touch. You can do the same to furniture and décor.
It's clear that wellness extends far beyond daily routines and activities. It encompasses both architectural and interior design. Without a doubt, a skillfully planned environment contributes to a happier and healthier way of life. The good news is that you can enhance your home's health and bring new life to your interiors by following the above wellness-focused ideas!
Interested in wellness-focused design? Create a space that promotes wellbeing with the expert help of JarvisInteriors.
Read more design advice from JarvisInteriors about mindful spaces: Zen Room: A Space of Blissful Escape Everyone Needs.
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12 Wellness Design Ideas for a Happy and Healthy Home
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