Wellness in Design Part Two: Function, accessibility, comfort and Joy
Last week, I talked about wellness in design focusing on ventilation (air quality) and fitness and health.
This week, I want to dive into the function/accessibility as well as comfort/joy aspects of wellness in design.
Function and Accessibility
When it comes to designing a space, I will often talk about function first. While it’s easy to get caught up all of the pretty, I try not to focus on that until the functional design is all planned out.
When designing with health and wellness in mind,
- what kinds of things can you be looking at?
- What are the options?
- Are there plumbing options?
- Are there electrical options?
- What do I need to think of BEFORE a hammer is swung?
Technology
This is one area that is becoming more and more advanced. There is part of me who has a little bit of cynicism when it comes to technology in the house. I mean,
- Do I really need the refrigerator to tell me the door is open?
- Is it necessary to have an app on my phone tell me when the dryer is done and my clothes are ready?
- Should I even think anymore or will an app and technology do it all for me?
I admit, there is that side of me who thinks that way. The other side of me is a little bit of a techie geek. I love new innovations and have never shied away from technology. I also am a HUGE advocate to how technology can help and assist in ways to make our lives easier.
What I had not thought about, until the wellness in design panel discussion, was how technology is part of wellness in design. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.
Voice Control
Who doesn’t own a Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or something that is voice controlled in their home?
When I saw this faucet by Delta Faucets, the little techie inside me was swooning.
How does this fall in line with wellness in design? It is both functional and accessible.
Functional
Think about if you are in your kitchen and you have chicken yuck all over your hands. Simply use your voice to tell the faucet to turn on and voila – the water comes on and you can safely wash your hands without having to touch anything.
While a motion faucet can turn on and off with the wave of your hand, voice automation allows for zero movement to make it work.
Accessible
Anyone with mobility issues or fine motor skill issues may find that this faucet is a life saver. Not only can you tell it to fill a measuring cup to 2 cups, you can also tell the faucet to turn on and off. A piece of technology like this may allow someone to be able to cook at home instead of ordering out. Now that’s healthy living!
Home Automation
Home automation/technology is a HUGE category when it comes to wellness in design. And I’m not going to lie – this often will come with a price. Does it need to break the bank? Absolutely not.
Automated Window Coverings
While this may seem to fit into the ‘nice to have’ category, there are many advantages to having automated window coverings that are in line with creating wellness in your home.
For starters, if you have high ceilings and wish to keep the heat in (or out), automated window coverings are a great way to not only give you privacy (if you require it), but they help keep the interior of your home at an optimal, healthy, temperature.
The home above has automated window coverings to help keep the strong UV rays out while still providing that indoor/outdoor feel to the home.
Automated Lighting
Automated lighting should not only be a ‘luxury feature’ for the few, it should be a standard feature for all.
When we completed our basement development, we used the Adorne Motion Sensor Switch Auto On/Off line.
What does this have to do with designing wellness into your home?
- First of all, we are never left with any light being left on and using unnecessary electricity.
- These motion sensors are a godsend when my hands are full. I don’t have to struggle to turn on a light, it just automatically comes on for me.
- I love the safety aspect of these switches. We have a switch in our garage so there is NEVER getting out of my car at night to a dark garage.
Switches, like the one mentioned above, or having a fully automated home where lighting is pre-set to a system, provides comfort and safety. Period.
When it comes to automated lighting, the sky really is the limit! You can have simple switches installed, or you can have entire home automation installed.
Comfort and Joy
Oh….this one is my favourite category because it’s all about you! What brings you comfort and joy? What is essential?
Steam
If you have a steam shower in your home you already know the benefits. If you do not, here is a list from Mr. Steam on the many benefits of steam.
Do you see how steam can, and should be part of your bathroom design for your emotional wellness?
ChromaTherapy, AromaTherapy, and MusicTherapy
In addition to steam, you can add AromaTherapy (smell), ChromoTherapy (light) and MusicTherapy (music)
I hope you have a chance to read about the benefits in a real-life case study.
We are in the initial planning/designing stages of remodelling our master bathroom (the last room in the house to get done) and I have already told the Mr. that incorporating a steam shower is on the list and is non-negotiable. We currently do not have a steam shower and I know that installing one will assist him with relieving stress from his hectic work schedule as well as help with his bad arthritis in his knees.
Wellness in Design
I know I have only touched the surface when it comes to discussing wellness in design however I hope that this blog and last week’s blog give you some ideas of creating a healthy and happy home.
Creating a Spa Bathroom Retreat
For the majority of our bathroom renovations that we design and renovate, creating a spa retreat is often discussed. It is often high on my clients’ list as a ‘must have’ overall feeling.
While budgets come in to play with every selection, there are simpler ways to create a spa-like retreat in your existing bathroom. I’ve curated a couple of budget-friendly ways to create a retreat in your own bathroom.
Click on the image to shop the look.
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Wanting to start planning your own spa retreat for your home. Contact us today!
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Good morning, Sheri!
First of all, the Delta voice assisted faucet? What a gamechanger….for germaphobes, that Delta faucet IS going to be a gamechanger. No more touching.touching. touching. Just voice. I love it.
And re: Mr. Steam’s chromatherapy? I have actually submitted myself to a chromatherapy stress relieving session with a practitioner of chromatherapy..and it genuinely worked.
If I could have a Mr. Steam unit where I live, I wouldn’t hesitate. To me, it’s not a luxury, but a necessity for wellness.
And as for automated lighting providing me with security. Heck, YES! Let me say *lights on*, while I’m driving up to my house and scare the burglars OUT..before I get there!
Thanks, as always, for a great post!
Leslie, I agree with you that steam should be a necessity for wellness. Just seeing all of the benefits – it seems like a no-brainer. I look forward to planning out our own master bathroom (who knows…it may be part of a One Room Challenge)!
Hi Sheri!
What a wonderful post. I love what you shared about automated window coverings. As an owner of a big, old, (drafty) Victorian home, I can attest that window coverings can make such a difference in insulation and temperature control, and also would be a HUGE time savings if I didn’t have to go around and manually open and close them all each day! Also, steam showers! You’ve completely sold me on this idea. Thank you for another wonderful and very informative post!
Hi Lauren,
I’m so glad that you were able to see the wonderful benefits of steam! And yes to window coverings. Many people really don’t think of all the benefits (not just shading from the sun). Thanks for coming by to comment. 🙂
Okay, you’ve just convinced me I NEED a steam shower (the metabolism increase/calorie burn *may* have tipped the scale in favor LOL). And motion sensor light switches are such a smart addition for all the reasons you listed! Another great post, Sheri!
Janet, I can’t tell you how much I LOVE my motion sensor lights!
Automation and accessibility are so important. I love this topic and you’ve called attention to so many ways in which our home can support wellness.
Lisa, you do such a great job in your designs around wellness.
Awesome post! I learned so many things I had not thought about related to how tech can help people with disabilities, help with safety and more. Now that I know steam burns more calories, you will have to excuse me while I go take another shower!
Right? So many benefits of steam!
Great post, Sheri! Wellness is something I’m considering more and more even if my clients aren’t specifically asking for it, just like Sustainability. I feel like it’s a total no-brainer.
I do too Jillian and going to the presentation was a good eye-opener for me. In this panel discussion there was talk about how many of us do think about wellness, but we probably don’t do a good enough job discussing the benefits, etc. I thought they were describing me to a tee!