Wellness in 2023 Interior Design

As we arrive at the halfway point of the year, we’ve been reflecting on our favorite trends of 2023. As art handlers and consultants we work in many creative environments which we love but today we’re going to focus on spaces that emphasize Wellness.

What is Wellness in terms of design? 

Most of us are well acquainted with wellness in terms of every day routine and self care. Since 2020 society has experienced  a renewed interest in self-care practices across the board. These needs do not end at interior design. In the early 90’s we recognized the importance of prioritizing peace in our spaces. Consider R S Ulrich‘s publication “Effects of Interior Design on Wellness” a collection of research published in 1991. It may have taken some time but in 2023 we are fully embracing this.

Wellness in the interior design sphere has been defined by mindful.org as “Environments that facilitate slow, self care, mindfulness practices.” Think open space, warm lighting, natural materials, ritual, cozy corners and soft linens.

Where to start:

Let’s start with those open spaces. Clutter can feel chaotic, stressful and make it hard to unwind when coming home. Part of the beauty of an open space is a clear head. The desire for fresh spaces has put an emphasis on creative storage needs. Using a combination of open and closed storage allows you to stow away stressors while engaging mindfully with items you use on a daily basis. Consider using rattan baskets and cubbies to draw you in. Texture can make exposed storage exciting while sleek, minimal drawers fo things you’d rather not see can conceal stressors. Another great tool to declutter is using your space vertically. Can you extend your bookshelf to the ceiling and eliminate some of those floor items? Do it! Giving yourself more floor space makes a room feel larger and less inhibiting.  Why not give yourself room to stretch out and play? If you live in a home with children they will likely appreciate this too.

Spaces meant for YOU:

Creating spaces that work specifically for you has proven to be intrinsic to wellness design. Experts recommend making room for ritual in your daily routine. By this we mean intentionally creating space in your home where you are encouraged to slow down and enjoy the task at hand. Whether that’s morning coffee, a craft room, the mud room, your closet, a home office, by building these spaces out beyond their basic needs you can transform your relationship to both the space and the work. We’re calling this “care for every corner”; it’s an opportunity to transform not only your space but your needs and your daily life. When putting in this care consider materials and steer away form items that feel harsh. We are attracted to plush, natural textures for comfort. Cushions, blankets, rugs, a calming piece of art can all contribute to headspace. We love cozy corners and nooks for this exact reason. Wrap yourself in it! If you don’t have space for a whole sofa but want to create a cozy reading area or other spaces to unwind consider beanbags, futons or cushy floor pillows.

Materials

Which brings us to what we consider to be the key to wellness in design. Materials. In wellness we design for our senses. Soft or natural lighting, sustainable materials such as natural woods, soft linens, plush rugs, lime wash or plaster walls, indoor plants, art or books that speak to you all tie together the concepts we’ve discussed.

Lighting

When considering lighting we suggest soft, diffused lighting for specific areas instead of one overhead light. Putting emphasis on specific areas helps ground a space and invite people in.  For example, if you have a dinner table or a comfy couch, hang a warm light directly over it. You can use floor or table lamps in other lounge areas to distribute light without creating that sterile feeling we often get from overhead fluorescents. If it’s an option for your space, rely heavily on natural lighting and mirrors to bring that light in. Natural lighting helps you feel connected to the world around you and aids in the regulation of circadian rhythms.

The Apex Perspective:

We love wellness for the refocus that it demands of the space. It feels very humanistic to allow ourselves room to play with texture, rely on light and slow down; something we aren’t always given the luxury of in our work days but absolutely deserve at home.

Need help in the Seattle area? Reach out! We’ve done loads of projects at various scales.   Give us a call at 206-913-2694 or reach us through our site.