Wellness Design Ideas for a Healthy Home

Wellness Design is about creating a home that leaves you happier and healthier.

Our 3 favorite Wellness Design ideas this week.

Improve indoor air quality.

Studies show we Americans spend far too much time indoors, almost 90% of our time…! The EPA states that indoor air is 2 to 5 times more polluted (sometimes up to 100x!) than outdoor air.

On top of that, modern building methods create more airtight = efficient homes (heating, cooling) but this traps pollutants inside.

So, how do we mitigate this?

Built-in central air-purifying systems eliminate airborne particles (electric and ultraviolet purifiers can be installed directly into your current HVAC system.
Only choose low-VOC materials, furnishings, and products (Volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids and liquids, which are chemicals that have short- and long-term adverse health effects. The concentration of VOCs are much higher indoors than outdoors too.
Hard floorings are better than carpets, as they don’t trap particles, pollens and toxins in their fibres and are easier to thoroughly clean.

Employ The Benefits of Water.

Water is fundamental to our own health, and we can harness the power and vitality of water in our own homes to the ultimate benefit of our wellness. Think retreat-style spaces to enhance well-being, but make them efficient and healthy.

How do we do this?

Touchless faucets with built-in water filters.
Shower filters drastically reduce the chemical compounds in your water. Remember, your skin is your biggest organ and absorbs everything directly into your blood stream. Reduce your exposure greatly with a shower head filter and change it frequently.
Install a tankless water heater – You’ll get on-demand hot water without wasting water while it heats up, and it’s up to 34% more efficient than tank models. Along this line, this of using hot water recirculation systems in your sink faucets.

Natural Light Wellness.

Boost mood and productivity – as well as your circadian rhythm (hello better sleep!) – by utilizing natural light.

How can we do this?

Plan for the most light with windows and skylights (and the right architecture) during your remodel or custom home build.
Install smart light bulbs with adjustable color temperatures.
If you’re not interested in smart bulbs, install dimmer switches to adjust the intensity of lights at different times of the day.
Solar-adaptive shades – now these are quite cool. They adjust during the day automatically, depending on the position of the sun, saving energy, heat gain and reducing glare.