How to design your home for health & wellness   |20 August 2021

“Your home has a very big impact on your health and well-being. Every detail for the design, from the materials you choose to build with, to the layout of your rooms, to the placements of your windows and, the type of lighting you install, play a factor in your health, happiness, and longevity.

“We spend much of our time in our homes that they play a major role in how we feel on a daily basis, how we rest and sleep, how often we are ill and, how long we live.”

This was said by local interior designer, Gaelle Dubignon, when we spoke to her about her thoughts on designing a home that promotes good health and wellness.

Ms Dubignon completed her degree in Interior Design, in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University, Malaysia. Her strengths as an interior designer include residential, retail and commercial design. In the future, she would like to offer her services in interior, art and brand design in Seychelles, to bring creative and functional design solutions that work best for her clients.

Below, we share with you Gaelle’s advice on how to design wellness spaces within your homes.

Plan for natural light

Natural light has been shown to increase concentration and focus, reduce stress, boost your immune system, and regulate important bodily functions.

A few ways to make this a possibility include:

- Using or incorporating large glass windows and doors, that will not only increase the amount of natural light entering your space, but also conserve energy at the same time. Choose light curtain fabrics to allow light to stream in, while lessening the amount of heat in the space.

- Open floor plans eliminate the need of interior walls, making it easier for light to travel throughout the common spaces

Bring nature indoors

Time in nature helps regulate emotions, improve memory functions, increase problem-solving skills, and even enhance our creative abilities. Being close to nature helps us feel more empowered with more energy and feel much happier.

-           Gardens are a great way to get fresh air and move your body. It also gives you a chance to plant your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

-           Use live plants throughout your space. This will help improve the air quality. Be mindful when selecting your plants as they each have their own individual properties. For example, Lavender and Jasmine are recognised for aiding relaxation and better sleep, while Lilly of the Valley is known as a mood-boosting plant.

-           Consider setting up an outdoor space for entertaining not only the family, but friends and visitors. This helps get people out of the house and into the fresh air.

Design each room with intention

When designing your space, designate areas to unwind, relax and reconnect with yourself. Here are a few ways to make your mind a priority in your home:

-           Make your bedroom an oasis for relaxing. This could be a comfortable chair to sit in and read your favourite book, a corner to meditate in or, the right bathtub to have a relaxing soak in. Make your bedroom a cosy space that will promote better sleep and peace of mind.

-           Reading has positive benefits on mental health. It helps relax the mind and body. An in-home library or reading nook will help you get into the zone and escape reality.

-           Each home should incorporate a space for movement. Make it a fun space that encourages movement and make sure it is prominent. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when choosing their movement space is tucking it somewhere that never gets seen. The best spot to have your movement room is on a common path of travel. If you work from home, put the fitness area between the kitchen and the office so that you walk by it multiple times a day.

Balance work and a relaxing space

If you are someone who works from home, the ideal scenario is to find enough space to create your own home office, so you can shut the door when the working day is over.

If this is not possible, you can use furniture and plants to create ‘broken-puzzle’ zones which allow you to separate your work space from your other spaces in your home. This can also be achieved by using a large sofa or a tall, open bookcase as a divider to create specific zones.

Working from home may sometimes mean that your spaces may be neglected and end up looking messy. Keeping a neat home works extremely well for our metal clarity and overall health. Consider decluttering and you will feel much lighter from all the clutter we tend to subconsciously accumulate.

Natural and sustainable materials first

Materials such as rustic wood and stone are very popular as they connect us with nature, bring texture, along with a sense of calm and wellbeing. Certain materials that have an unfinished look or ‘worn-away’ pattern help convey a sense of belonging and ease. This is due to the fact that its rustic appearance helps people feel comfortable to be themselves without the worry of dirtying or messing up a ‘clean’ item.

Materials such as sisal for flooring and wicker for furniture and decorative items such as lampshades and pendants are also enjoying a renaissance. Sisal is naturally moth and dust-mite resistant. With neutral tones and a subtle texture, it is ideal for creating a pleasing bridge between wooden and stone flooring. It is also a healthy solution for those who suffer from asthma, eczema, and other allergies. It is extremely hard-wearing and if looked after, will look beautiful for years.

For more information, follow @lakazbygaelle on Instagram or email: dubignon.gaelle@gmail.com

F.P.