Improve Your Health and Wellness with Rejuvenating Sanctuary Spaces

A new year is an ideal time to make changes that prioritize health and well-being. We often focus on diet and exercise when making New Year’s resolutions, but changes to our physical surroundings may have a greater impact on our overall mental and physical wellness.

From improving mood and energy levels, to getting enough sleep, to increasing focus and productivity; wellness design can improve how well we live in our homes. And spaces that allow us to rest, recharge and relax, help strike a balance between productivity and wellness. Here are six easy ways to incorporate a rejuvenating sanctuary space in your home.

Colour Palettes that Soothe the Soul

Studies show that colour affects mood and emotion. That’s why the use of colour in interior design has such an impact on how our homes feel. Spaces that promote a sense of calm and relaxation start with a soothing colour palette.

Soft, muted variations of colours commonly found in nature are the most calming while neutrals such as white, gray and beige reduce visual distractions and allow the eye to rest. Limit your palette to one or two colours and add tonal variations and texture to create depth and interest.

Remove Clutter to Limit Distractions

You may not even realize how much stress the clutter in your home is causing you. All those excess items act as a constant reminder of tasks that need to be done. By removing the clutter, you also reduce distractions and give your brain a chance to focus and recharge.

Adding storage solutions that are designed to work with your lifestyle can go a long way in making the clutter in your home disappear. Giving the items you use regularly an easy-to-access home will ensure they always end up back where they belong.

Create A Connection with Nature

“Design that reconnects us with nature – biophilic design – is essential for providing people opportunities to live and work in healthy places and spaces with less stress and greater overall health and well-being.”

It’s no secret that using design to bring nature into interior spaces can create homes that actually make us feel better. Changes such as increasing natural light, highlighting nature views, choosing natural materials, and adding plant life indoors can all help create a much-needed connection to nature.

Try replacing heavy window coverings with sheers or top-down blinds to increase the amount of natural light in your home. The additional daylight will improve moods and create a better environment for plant life. And even a change as simple as rearranging the furniture to highlight a scenic view can reduce stress and increase happiness.

Nature inspired living room design by Faulkner Architects. Source: Elle Decor

Bedrooms Designed for Sleeping

One of the best ways to improve your overall health and wellness is to get a good night’s sleep. While there are many factors that contribute to sleep loss, a number of them can be overcome with thoughtful bedroom design.

Your bedroom should be a peaceful sanctuary. A space that’s free from distractions to allow you to rest and fully recharge. This includes screens and other distractions as well as external noises and excess light. Easy changes such as investing in quality bedding and adding blackout curtains can instantly improve your sleep, and as a result, your overall health.

Cozy Corners to Curl Up in

With everyone at home almost all the time, it can be tough to find a quiet place to recharge. But with a little creativity and thoughtful space planning, you can always carve out a corner for mindfulness and relaxation.

A custom window seat is an ideal way to transform unused space into a beautiful spot for quiet contemplation. It also adds extra storage and allows you to soak up beneficial natural light. Or maybe you have an empty corner that just needs a comfortable chair, good lighting, and a few plants to become the most relaxing spot in the house.

Cozy built-in reading nook by Noxon Giffen Architects

A Sanctuary Space that Appeals to All the Senses

Creating a sanctuary space isn’t just about changes you can see. To achieve the optimal environment for rest and rejuvenation, we have to appeal to all the senses. Air-purification, noise-reduction, and appropriate lighting all work together to create a calming atmosphere.

It’s more important than ever to have spaces in our home that promote a feeling of calm and allow us to rest and recharge. Connect with me to book a wellness design consultation to bring harmony and improved well-being to your home.