Interiors viewpoint: creating 'home wellness' with thoughtful interior design

From an interior design perspective, the notion of ‘home wellness’ denotes a focus on health and wellbeing when considering the design and layout of spaces. It is a concept that has been gaining momentum in recent years, and is set to continue to evolve and gain prominence as society continues to shift towards a focus on both population and planetary health.

So how can we put ‘wellbeing’ into action ourselves when it comes to our home interior spaces? OCR Interiors' Molly Andrew offers eight easy ways….

1) Implement biophilic design
Heard of biophilic design? It’s not just loading your rooms with pot plants, although that does play a part in it. The key is incorporating natural elements into your indoor spaces – this could include natural materials like wood, stone and bamboo or natural fibres in flooring, furniture and finishes that can evoke a sense of nature indoors. Using textures and patterns inspired by nature such as leaf motifs, bark textures or water ripples will promote a feeling of wellbeing, as will plenty of natural ventilation, as much natural light as possible and of course a plethora of greenery to help improve internal air quality.

2) Create dedicated wellness spaces
There has been a notable increase in the allocation of spaces to activities promoting well-being within the home. Certainly as a practice we are increasingly incorporating ‘wellness rooms’ into our designs at the request of our clients. Sometimes it’s space for yoga, somewhere to meditate, a fully functioning home gym, sauna or on occasion, all of the above. Regardless of whether these rooms – or areas within rooms - have a multi or specific purpose, approaching the interior design with tranquility, comfort and functionality in mind, allows for places of both peace and purpose.

3) Take a holistic approach to colour
It’s no secret that the colour choices of interior spaces have a huge impact on the mood and well-being of their inhabitants. Calming colours tend to be soft blues, greens and earthy tones that mimic the natural world and evoke feelings of tranquility and relaxation. These might be great for areas of the home such as living rooms or bedrooms, but consider also nature’s energizing colours -such as yellow - which might work in a space such as a home office.

5) Take advantage of technology
Where possible (and affordable), consider integrating smart technology for controlling lighting, air quality and temperature to optimize the home environment for wellness and comfort. For example, the implementation of a circadian lighting system – lighting that follows the natural sleep/wake cycles of the human body – can positively affect an individual’s health, mood, productivity and overall sense of well-being.

6) Are you sitting comfortably?
Ever considered how the type, design, placement and condition of your furniture might be impacting on your physical and emotional well-being?

Ergonomically designed chairs, desks and even mattresses can encourage physical comfort and well-being through promoting proper correct posture.
Plush, tactile fabrics, soft bedding and cozy armchairs all contribute towards a sense of comfort and relaxation.
Aesthetically appealing furniture that aligns with your personal style can be not only visually pleasing but create an emotionally satisfying environment too.
Checked your feng shui? The arrangement of furniture within a room can really influence how the space is used and how people interact within it. Consider flow, accessibility and the creation of functional zones when arranging your spaces.

7) Mindful decluttering
It seems the act of ‘mindfulness’ can even be applied to decluttering your home here in 2023. And guess what, it can even help you to find a sense of well-being on the way to achieving a more peaceful space.

Mindful decluttering can be a transformative process, helping you to create a more harmonious and intentional living environment whilst fostering a deeper connection to the items you choose to keep. It's not just about letting go of physical clutter but also about releasing mental and emotional clutter, leading to a greater sense of well-being and peace.

Our top tips for a successful attempt at mindful decluttering:

Set your intentions: find your reason for decluttering and set your goals. Whether you want to create a more peaceful environment, reduce stress or simplify your possessions, know why you are doing it and what you want to achieve.
Slow down: take your time, deal with one item at a time so you are fully present and making thoughtful decisions.
Re-home items: consider donating, recycling or selling items you have decluttered rather than throwing them away. Not only is it a better option for the environment but it might mean the process of letting go is a little easier. Knowing that your possessions will be used or appreciated by others can make it easier to part with them.

8) Sleep-focused design
Nothing says wellness more than a good nights’ sleep. Bedrooms designed specifically with this in mind might incorporate:

blackout curtains and soft lighting
soundproofing measures such as double glazing or heavy curtains
minimalist design, clutter free using natural materials and relaxing colours
temperature control where possible, plus calming scents such as chamomile
minimal technology / electronic devices and screens.

Although it plays a big part, it’s clear from the above that the notion of home wellness is not just about aesthetics. It is about creating spaces that support physical, mental and emotional well-being. Although we have outlined some ideas above, the way ‘wellness’ is implemented is very much down to individual preferences and needs and can vary widely from person to person.

If you are interested to hear how we can help you find a sense of ‘home wellness’ through our interior design services, contact our in-house interior designer Molly for more information and a chat about your requirements.