Whilst it has always been a focus in bespoke residential design, the wellness obsession has continued to grow in Australia, with over $6,000 being spent annually per person on all things self care related.
With more time at home during the pandemic, there was a shift towards tailored and convenient wellness options within the home. As we increasingly place value on mindfulness and preventative health, there are several ways you can incorporate the healthy home trend, either by yourself or with the help of an architect and designer.
Infuse some nature into your living space
Integrating natural elements into a home such as an indoor plant can instantly boost the aesthetic appeal as well as significantly enhance mental and physical well being. The practice of being amongst nature and greenery has been scientifically proven to aid the immune system, reduce blood pressure and improve sleep. Plants can also act as a natural air filter!
Bring the outside in
We know that being in daylight feels good, and natural rays offer a dose of both Vitamin D and an increase of the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin. A home that lacks natural light can make us feel depressed and lethargic. If you’re redesigning your home with the help of an architect, why not maximise natural light by adding in expansive windows or a skylight.
Adaptive lighting
Lighting helps us create a balanced circadian rhythm, which is our body’s natural reaction to light and dark across a 24-hour period which affects our mood and behaviour. Sometimes it’s as simple as changing a light fixture to bring a fresh, new personality into a room, helping to take it from drab and dreary to warm, bright and inviting. Replicating the rhythm of natural light with adaptive smart lighting can avoid upsetting your body.
Ergonomic design
Interior designers are increasingly looking to ergonomic principles (outside of just the office space and applying them to other areas of the home, including the room layouts themselves). The key considerations here are accessible storage solutions, designed home office spaces and well planned traffic glow through utility and living areas.
Home gyms and yoga studios
A dedicated gym space, yoga or pilates studio is rapidly becoming an essential component of any redesign or renovation project. Regardless of your budget you can achieve a fitness area in your home by incorporating multi-functional gym equipment and a space for yoga and stretching.
Better breathing indoors
Indoor air quality is vital in the wellness design of your home. Fumes from cooking and cleaning can become trapped in your home and make the air toxic. Some studies have even shown that air quality can sometimes be up to 5 times worse indoors than outdoors. Some newer generation ducted air conditioning systems come with built in air purification systems.
Clearing clutter
According to the ancient practice of Feng Shui, the placement of furniture and objects in our homes can have a serious impact on our personal wellbeing and the best place to start is by removing clutter with the use of smart storage and multifunctional furniture.
The trend towards wellness-focused living spaces reflects a growing recognition of the profound impact our environments have on our health and well-being. Whether you are aiming to increase your well-being in your own home or hoping to attract potential buyers to your property for sale, implementing some of the above ideas will certainly be beneficial.
Disclaimer: The opinions posted within this blog are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, others employed by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate or the organisations with which the network is affiliated. The author takes full responsibility for his opinions and does not hold Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate or any third party responsible for anything in the posted content. The author freely admits that his views may not be the same as those of his colleagues, or third parties associated with the Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate network.