Designing Your Home for Wellness: A Holistic Approach

September 10, 2024

Light-filled Reading Retreat at our **Ravenswood Residence Project**

When we think about wellness, we often picture yoga classes, green smoothies, and spa days. But wellness can start right at home, where we spend most of our time. Designing your home for wellness is all about creating spaces that make you feel good—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here’s how you can bring a sense of wellness into your home, starting with a few simple yet impactful design choices.

1. Natural Light: The Key to Feeling Good First things first—light. Prioritizing natural light in your home is essential to feeling your best. There's just something about sunlight streaming into a room that instantly lifts your spirits. If your home is feeling a little dim, it could be as simple as removing heavy window treatments or rearranging furniture to let the light in. And for some, it might even mean adding more windows. Whatever you do, more light equals more life.

2. Fresh Air and Airflow: Breathe Easy Next up is air quality. Take a moment to think about your HVAC system and how often you’re replacing your filters. It's a small detail, but clean air can make a huge difference in your well-being. For an added boost, consider upgrading to a UV air purifier. These can be attached to your furnace or air conditioner to eliminate airborne allergens and improve your indoor air quality. Pair that with a humidifier to keep your sinuses happy during those dry winter months (it’s been a lifesaver for my family!).

3. Clean, Filtered Water: A Game Changer Let’s talk about water. I never realized how much of an impact good-tasting, clean water could have until we installed a filtered water faucet at our kitchen sink. The taste is so crisp, and my kids are constantly refilling their water bottles—much more than they did with our old fridge filter. Yes, it takes up some space under the sink, but trust me, it’s worth every square inch for water that’s delicious and good for you.

4. Create a Space for Meditation and Mindfulness Wellness isn’t just physical—it’s mental, too. I’ve been thinking about carving out a small meditation space in my home, and I encourage you to do the same. It doesn’t have to be a full room. A cozy little nook with a soft cushion, maybe some incense or a candle, can be the perfect spot to start your day with a moment of calm. Whether it's stretching, meditating, or just a few minutes of peaceful reflection, it can set the tone for a more mindful day.

5. Bring Life into Your Space with Plants Plants bring life into a room, both literally and figuratively. Not only do they purify the air, but they add a touch of nature that can make any space feel more vibrant and alive. Whether it’s a statement plant in the living room or a small potted herb in the kitchen, having greenery around you boosts your mood and keeps you connected to nature, even when you’re indoors.

6. Design Your Retreat: The Ultimate Wellness Space Finally, everyone needs a retreat. Maybe it’s a cozy reading nook with a blanket and a hot cup of tea, or perhaps it’s a luxurious bathroom where you can soak in a warm bath at the end of the day. I swear by my nightly hot baths—during a recent health challenge, they helped me relax more deeply than anything else and improved my sleep dramatically. Whether it’s a small escape or something more extravagant, like a home sauna, having a place to unwind is essential for your well-being.

7. A Clean and Organized Home: The Foundation of Wellness Last but not least, cleanliness and organization are key to maintaining a wellness-focused home. Keeping your space clean, especially high-touch areas, helps create a healthy environment. And organizing your pantry with nutritious, easy-to-access foods makes it simpler to stick to a healthy lifestyle. A clean, well-organized space contributes to mental clarity and helps reduce stress.