What is Wellness Design?

What if we told you that most Americans spend 90% of their time indoors? Now, what if we told you that the concentration of pollutants in most indoor environments is 2-5 times higher than outdoor concentrations?

According to the EPA, both of the above statements are true. And since your social and physical environment determine almost 20% of your health, it’s crucial to consider what you’re putting inside your home.

Studio Connolly is creating healthier, happier homes by paying close attention to 7 key wellness design principles in every project: Air, Water, Light, Color, Nature, Functionality, and Comfort.

 

Air

Indoor air quality is by far one of the most important considerations in any interior design project. Installing an air filter or bringing plants into a space are great ways to filter out harmful toxins. We also make an effort to limit those toxins in the first place by selecting better products. Specifying low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint and organic fabrics without flame retardants, and avoiding pressed wood furniture with formaldehyde-filled adhesives when possible, reduces potential off-gassing within your home. And natural fiber area rugs trap airborne pollutants, making them a useful and aesthetically pleasing air filter.

 

Water

One of the most common places for pollutants to hide? Your tap water. The Water Quality Association lists fluoride, copper, lead, and even arsenic among the most common waterborne contaminants. Not only do those toxins cause problems in your drinking water, but they can also absorb through your skin during a shower. If you’re remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, take the time to install filters on your faucets, or better yet, invest in a whole-house filtration system if budget allows!

 

Light

Light has a huge impact on your mental and physical health. Your body depends on circadian rhythms to regulate your sleep cycles. When the sun rises, the white daylight stops your production of melatonin – the hormone that helps you sleep. And in the evenings, the reddish light of the sunset triggers melatonin production to slowly start up again. Allowing ample natural light into your home keeps you well-rested and ready to take on the day, and regulates many other bodily functions. And when natural light isn’t possible, we’ll look at artificial options that mimic it, both in quantity and in color. Your body responds to artificial light in the same way, so it’s a great substitute when the real thing isn’t an option!

 

Color

It’s important to take your personal preferences into consideration when selecting a color palette. But it’s also crucial to consider the impact a color can have on your mental state. For example, warmer colors like yellow, orange, and pink can encourage creativity and excitement, and even boost your appetite, which makes them great options for a playroom, art studio, or kitchen. Cooler colors, on the other hand, tend to have a calming effect, and work well in a bedroom or a spa-like ensuite. Lighter colors can make a room seem larger and more open, while darker colors create a moody, more intimate atmosphere. Knowing how you want each room to feel will help us determine the perfect color palette for your space!

 

Nature

Bringing the outdoors in has been proven to encourage productivity and even improve our mental wellbeing. That’s because, according to Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson, humans subconsciously seek connections with nature and other forms of life – a concept he referred to as biophilia. Biophilic design channels this idea by incorporating plants, natural textures and materials, and views of nature into an indoor environment. Even when a real scenic view isn’t possible, or you don’t have time to care for a real houseplant, hanging a landscape painting on the wall and placing a faux ficus in the corner of the room can have the same rejuvenating effect!

 

Functionality

Another important consideration for your mental wellbeing: the flow of your space. We pay close attention to layout, making sure that your major walkways are wide and free of obstructions. No need to bang your hip on a table every time you pass through the room! By creating spaces that are laid out intuitively – from the orientation of your bed to the placement of your silverware drawer – we’ll minimize frustrations within the home, allowing you to go about your daily life without interruption. Additionally, we’ll help you cut unnecessary clutter by ensuring that you’ll have plenty of storage space and organization. After all, messes are one of the most common causes for subconscious anxiety!

 

Comfort

Home should be a place that makes you feel safe and comfortable. That’s why we’ll take the time to get to know you and your lifestyle, to make sure your space feels like you and fills your needs. We’ll also consider acoustic and thermal comfort by ensuring that your home is well-insulated and full of sound-blocking materials, both within the walls and in your rooms in the form of window treatments and area rugs. At Studio Connolly, we consider every detail to make you as comfortable as possible within your sanctuary, right down to the scent of your living room candle.

 

Ready to get started?

Contact us today and let us create a healthy, happy home for you to flourish in for years to come.