Wellness will continue to be a high priority for everyone, especially in the home. It is where we go to recharge and refuel which means a special emphasis should be given when designing our home. Wellness and design trends are on the rise and it seems like they are here to stay. Designers are discovering more and more ways to create an atmosphere in the home that assists their client in maintaining a healthy mind and body. This emphasis is also important because we now spend up to 90% indoors so thinking of ways to create an atmosphere that lets you relax, focus, and achieve your goals matters. With 2022 just around the corner we thought it might be helpful to share a few of the latest trends in wellness and design as you begin planning your renovation or remodel.

Privacy matters in the home

We know you love your family, but that doesn’t mean you want to be with them every moment. Alone time is essential for everyone, to have a moment to yourself and just catch your breath but it must be intentional. Consider the things you enjoy doing that help relax your mind and body such as reading, journaling, or even exercising and look for ways to create a special space just for you. Some ways to do this would be:

• A pony wall
• Use bookshelves as a barrier
• A small outdoor nook
• Seating area near the window

Having an area to call your own enables you to take a break from the daily activities that surround you and just have a moment for yourself. Open concept is a popular layout but that does not mean there cannot be sections within the space that are private such as a pony wall that forms a private area without intruding much on the flow of the space. Bookshelves also allow you to limit the view and interaction of fellow family or roommates giving you some space for yourself. If you have a large window, consider placing a comfortable chair where you can sit and read, the natural sunlight is also an added bonus for your wellbeing. A place where you can go and enjoy the things you love by yourself is an important part in maintaining wellness in the home so go ahead and browse through places like Pinterest and Houzz to find some inspiration for your home. For a few more ideas check out this article from Apartment Therapy.

Adding doors in your home

Doors play a critical role in the home especially the exterior as they provide privacy and security but they also have a role within the home. Interior doors allow spaces to function as an individual area but be open and connected when needed. This can help with wellness since you can have a quiet area but still have access to the family. Areas where doors cans be included are:

• Home office
• Living room
• Patio
• Family room

Doors give you the ability to tell others that you need quiet or just need to be alone which is great when working from home. Closing the door lets the family know you can’t be disturbed or are not available at the moment but lets them knock if they have an urgent need. Sometimes having a door in your living or family room lets you do activities without disturbing others in the house. We all know how loud certain games can be. Some great interior door types include:

• Pocket doors
• Bifold doors
• Dutch doors

Pocket and bifold doors allow you to close off an area when needed but tuck them away when you want to keep an open flow between spaces. Dutch doors are a good option for family rooms as well as children’s areas since you can let the little ones play but not have them wander off unsupervised. Talk to your designer about what doors would work well for your home that can give you wellness in your space.

Lighting in the home

When it comes to wellness in the home, light remains one of the most powerful influences which is why it is incorporated into so many areas of the home like the kitchen, laundry room, home office, living rooms, and even places like a walk-in shower. Light has been shown to directly impact our mood and poor lighting can cause eye-strain and even fatigue. The size of a room and the tone it sets can also be controlled by lighting choices. Bright light makes a room seem bigger and happier, helping it be more conducive to such things like working from home or relaxing after a stressful event. Always look for ways you can pair natural and artificial light together since they work in sync. Natural light helps the body operate in a happier state as there is a direct connection between it and how it motivates us to be more productive. When natural light is limited be sure to include sufficient light so you will eliminate shadows in important areas like kitchen cabinets and living rooms. Cabinets create shadows making it harder for the eye to see so add under cabinet lighting to help minimize strain. We use our living room for any number of functions such as watching TV and reading but if there is poor lighting it can make these tasks difficult for the body and the blue light from screens can even disturb the body’s natural process for preparing for bed hindering you from a good night’s sleep. Look to get good lighting to have wellness in the home.

Wellness in the home

Your health matters and should take priority over anything else. This should also be a guide when designing new spaces or remodeling current ones. Our home has become more important over the last couple of years and taken on more roles since many work from home. It is our gym, office, restaurant, and school room. With such a monumental shift it should receive sufficient care and thought as you adjust the space to meet your new needs. Places like Pinterest and Houzz are great places to start finding inspiration along with numerous interior design blogs that offer great tips and tricks for you to implement. Our experienced design team can also assist you in having wellness in the home through the use of good design elements and layout. Come visit our showroom in beautiful Uptown Shelby where you can walk through 5,000 square feet of inspiration and experience the possibilities that await you. We are a short drive from Charlotte, NC and Spartanburg, SC, we also serve more than 15 counties so come see us and let’s get your home in tip top shape.