3 Ways to Design Your Home with Wellness In Mind
My overall mission for every client is to design their personal sanctuary, meaning that their home will reflect their particular aesthetics and lifestyle. Every client is different, of course, so that means every project has its own unique look and function.
But what's universal to all of them is the end result: a home that brings them peace, relaxation, a deep sense of belonging, and greater mental and physical health.
Tip #1: Your Design Must Function as Great as it Feels
One client was having lots of trouble with his kitchen. There wasn't enough counter space, the upper cabinets were bulky, the fan light was too low, and oh boy that lime green paint--yikes! All of these features really hindered my client's lifestyle. He loves to cook and entertain in the kitchen, but it was so awkward to use and not at all welcoming.
A fresh coat of white paint, a few changes to the layout, a new fan, and ripping out those cabinets have transformed his old kitchen into his zone of creation and connection. There's even space for his small dining set to breathe and really welcome guests in. This highly personal design allows my client to do two things that he loves with much greater ease and joy. That's what I call the power of interior design.
Tip #2: Your Design Must Stimulate Multiple Senses
Personal wellness is a multi-sensory practice that involves body, mind and spirit. Interior design is also a multi-sensory practice, in that designers take into account most of our senses when creating an interior space.
Some of the questions they might ask clients: what do you love seeing every day? What patterns and colors light you up visually? What kinds of textures do you love to feel against your skin? What level of softness do you like sitting on? Do you like a very quiet home, or the sounds of kids and other people? Maybe one quiet room in the house would strike the perfect balance?
The answers to these questions give an added dimension to the design plan and ensure that your senses will be soothed and /or stimulated in positive ways.
Tip #3: Your Design Must Give a Nod to Nature
Perhaps you've read about Biophilic Design on my blog or elsewhere online. It's an approach that encourages a connection to nature and natural elements within the home, so in other words, bringing nature in.
Plants are the first things that come to mind. If you have a green thumb, live plants give so much texture, color and life-energy to a room. They have organic shapes that contrast nicely with most straight-lined furniture. If your thumb isn't so green, bring nature in with prints, like pictures of nature, wallpaper with natural elements, or fabrics printed with botanical themes. Materials like stone, wood and clay also evoke the natural world. And sunlight? Absolutely.
Spending time in nature is essential for our mental health. If we don't have time for a long walk every day, we can at least decorate with natural elements that remind us of our Mother Earth.
These suggestions only scratch the surface of wellness-inspired design. If you're looking to add this dimension of wellness to your home, contact me and we’ll explore some ideas together. I know we can create a more intentional design that's attuned to your personal wellness.
Cheers,
Nan
About Nan
I’m an interior designer who helps people turn their homes into their sanctuaries without the pain of renovating. I’ve been working as a professional designer since 1995 and one thing I love about interior design is how it can evoke a mood and create whatever feeling you want in your space. In that way, it’s kind of magical.
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