Many of us devote a lot of time and effort to getting the design and decor just right when we move house, but a home is much more than a series of beautifully-decorated rooms. For most of us, our homes are sanctuaries, which provide a safe space for us to relax, interact with friends and family, work, and play. If you have recently moved or you are looking to make changes to your home to promote a healthier lifestyle, here is a handy guide to turning your home into a haven for health and wellbeing:
Creating A Restful Retreat: Bedroom Design Ideas
One of the most important projects to tackle when designing a home that actively promotes healthy living is the bedroom. Sleep is vital for mental and physical health, and your bedroom can play an influential role in the quality of sleep and your sleeping habits. Ideally, you want your boudoir to be a tranquil place, which makes you feel calm and serene. Color is an important consideration. Studies show that colors impact our mood. While some shades can energize and uplift us, some are proven to make us feel relaxed. In your bedroom, opt for soothing tones, such as neutrals, pastels and shades of green, purple, and blue. Try and avoid garish prints or clashing patterns, and keep the decor simple. Once you have chosen your color way, add touches to create a calming ambiance and add coziness. Choose low-level lighting and add texture with soft furnishings. Cushions, blankets, rugs, and throws are ideal for bedrooms.
Many of us are guilty of taking our phones to bed or getting under the covers and switching the TV on. If you are watching a movie late at night, or you are scrolling through social media feeds or checking work emails, you will struggle to get to sleep. Try and make your bedroom a tech-free zone. This will help you to unwind and relax when you go to bed, and it should also help to prevent you from being woken up by flashing lights or beeping noises.
Clutter is proven to induce and exacerbate stress. If you tend to throw your clothes on a chair at the end of the day, or your bedroom has become a dumping ground, invest in storage and take a few minutes to tidy up every evening. A clean, tidy, welcoming bedroom can make all the difference.
Spending Time Together At Home
Socializing is a crucial element of human existence. The vast majority of people respond positively to interaction, and we enjoy spending time with friends and family members. The layout and design of your home can have a significant impact on the way you live your life. If you are revamping your home, or you are thinking about remodeling, always think about your lifestyle before making any decisions. If you have children, does your home allow you to spend time together, or are you always in the kitchen while your kids are in the living room and your partner is in the study? When you have people over to visit, are you constantly toing and froing between rooms because there is not enough space to entertain properly? Older houses often have a larger number of smaller rooms, which are not particularly practical for modern family life. Knocking down walls, opening up spaces and adding extensions can all help to create living areas that are conducive to spending more time together. If you have a kitchen, which also acts as a playroom, a workspace, and a living room, you can all be close to each other, even if you are doing different things at the same time.
Improving Air Quality
We all want to breathe easy when we are relaxing at home. As a homeowner, it is important to think about air quality. If air quality is poor, this could trigger allergic reactions and increase the risk of respiratory problems. There are many ways you can improve air quality in your home, including tidying and cleaning frequently, avoiding clutter and investing in an air purifier. Take time to vacuum regularly, and clean bedding and soft furnishings every week. It is particularly important to keep on top of cleaning if you have pets, or you have family members who suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions. You can find out more about the impact of air quality on health online at sites like Molekule science and your doctor will also be able to give you tips to help to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Often, we tend to find that air quality is reduced during the winter when heating systems are firing on all cylinders, and the windows and doors are firmly closed to keep the cold at bay. While it is wonderful to have a snug and cozy home, it is crucial to understand the potential impact of reduced air quality. Try to make sure you open the windows and let some fresh air in on a daily basis. Even a quick burst can make a positive difference on a chilly day. Keeping your home free from clutter is also a good idea. Piles of stuff can attract dust.
Reducing The Risk Of Accidents
Even the most harmless-looking home can harbor a risk of accidents and injuries. It may not be possible to avoid every accident, but it is wise to take steps to reduce the risk of slips and trips and other household incidents. Carrying out a risk assessment is an excellent idea for all homeowners, and it is particularly important for parents and pet owners. Go through each room and note down any potential hazards. Work your way through the list, crossing off jobs as you go. Repair damaged flooring, fit gates to keep young children safe on the stairs, make sure all curtain and blind cords are secured safely and store dangerous cleaning substances and chemicals and medicines in a locked cupboard. If you do not already have smoke detectors on every floor, buy and fit alarms and check the batteries on a regular basis. It is also beneficial to have a small fire extinguisher and a fire blanket at home.
Setting Aside Space For Hobbies
Many of us feel that we do not have enough hours in the day, and this can mean that it is difficult to find the time to enjoy hobbies and interests. If you are working, running a household and raising kids, it can be tricky to strike the right balance. It is so crucial to be able to find the time to relax, unwind, de-stress, and have fun. Life can get hectic and if you are on the go all the time, you might crave a moment to yourself. At home, try and find space to indulge your hobbies. Whether you adore painting, you love to write or read, you live for music, or you are a passionate gardener or a Pilates enthusiast, it is great to have a spot you can retreat to. You do not have to have a huge house with a basement studio or a garden room for painting to make the most of your spare time. Even in a small house with limited space, you can create a quiet corner or set up a desk in a spare bedroom to draw, kick back and listen to a soothing playlist or do a quick workout. If you have large, open rooms, it is a great idea to use screens or a curtain to section off areas. This helps to create child-friendly and adult-friendly zones, as well as catering to everyday family life.
Bringing The Outside In
Have you ever noticed that you feel more relaxed when you are in the great outdoors? Many of us enjoy nothing more than going for a stroll in the woods or sitting by a lake and watching the world go by. Being exposed to nature is beneficial for mental wellbeing and it can be an effective tonic for stress and anxiety. At home, you can recreate positive feelings by bringing the outside in. Houseplants are incredibly fashionable in the world of interior design at the moment, but they are not just an eye-catching accessory. Having plants in your home can lower stress levels, enhance air quality, increase productivity, and encourage relaxation. Different plants have different benefits, so it is worth doing some research before you decide which plants to buy. Lavender, for example, is an excellent addition to bedrooms, as it is often used as a natural remedy to improve sleep quality.
We often go all-out to ensure our homes look fabulous, but have you ever thought about how your home impacts your health and wellbeing? Ideally, your home should be a haven that promotes and facilitates healthy living and lifts your mood. Whether you have just moved house or you have been living in your home for several years, it is worth looking into ways you can make changes to boost health and happiness. From creating calming, serene bedrooms and spaces for hobbies that reduce stress and make you feel good to designing layouts that suit your lifestyle and enable you to spend more time together as a family, it is beneficial to explore ideas.
