Interior Design & Wellness

We spend 87% of our lives inside buildings. How they are designed really affects how we feel, how we behave.”

- Ilse Crawford, an esteemed designer in Europe and creator of the Man and Well-being program at the Design Academy in Eindhoven.

Our time spent inside is probably closer to 100% considering our current global pandemic, and our surroundings are affecting us even more than usual. As interior designers, our aim is to provide healthy spaces for people to live and thrive, and these are 3 points we think are most important to consider:

1. Air: It might come as a surprise to some that indoor air may be just as problematic as pollution outdoors. There is potential for many of the furnishings and finishes in our homes to be off-gassing toxic chemicals into the air we breathe. Proper ventilation, operable windows or using air purifiers are all great ways to start breathing fresher air. To read more about this, check out this article.

2. Nature: Incorporating nature into your home is an easy way to create a space that brings happiness and can help us feel refreshed and more productive. A term for this is biophilia, which is the idea that humans have an inherent need to feel connected with nature and other forms of life. Adding a few plants, having natural light, natural textures and nature views are just some ways to create a positive impact. And don’t forget about time spent with our pets! Interacting with animals is another way to relieve stress and connect to nature.

3. Lighting: Our lives literally revolve around light levels. In the morning, we wake up with the sun and when it becomes dark outside, it indicates that it’s time for us to rest. Having exposure to natural light as much as possible with as little exposure to blue lighting when the sun has gone down, helps maintain our natural circadian rhythm. To find out more about what circadian rhythms are, check out this article. Additionally, natural light keeps our vitamin D levels balanced.

   
   These are just a few pointers to help you get started on improving your space, your health and well-being!