In this current era of wellness obsession Australia is one of the world’s biggest consumers.
The Global Wellness Institute ranked Australia in tenth place with Aussies spending more than $6,000 annually on all things self-care related. And, as we increasingly value mindfulness, preventative health and pampering, increasingly architects and designers are being tasked with incorporating wellness into home designs too.
“Wellness has always been a focus in bespoke residential design, however, like many aspects of our lives, the focus on wellness sharpened throughout the pandemic,” explained Melbourne-based founder and director of Paul Conrad Architects, Paul Conrad.
“With more time at home, the pandemic provided a shift and desire for tailored and convenient wellness in the home.
“Today, our clients request specific wellness requirements before the initial design process has begun. Our awareness and appreciation for our wellbeing has grown, particularly as we have learnt more about ourselves during the pandemic, and more and more designs speak to this importance.”
From fitness rooms and home spas to adaptive lighting and nature integration, read on as experts reveal 10 new healthy home trends that are turning houses into self-care sanctuaries.
The ‘tree hugger’ term may have been a slur in the past, but it turns out that the hippies of old were onto something.
Aussies spend more than $6,000 annually on all things self-care related. Picture: Getty
The practice of being amongst nature and greenery has been scientifically proven to aid the immune system, reduce blood pressure and improve sleep. And these days ‘biophilic design’ – a strategic approach to architecture that connects people more closely to nature – is one of the hottest trends in home design.
“Everyone wants to bring nature into their homes nowadays because of the benefits,” said design and architect and founder of both Cocoplum Design Studio and Boxareno Imports, Ozge Fettahlioglu.
“The biophilic trend ensures that homes are not just beautiful, but also actively enhance wellbeing by harmonising with the natural world.”
Integrating natural elements into home designs boosts aesthetic appeal and significantly enhances mental and physical wellbeing.
‘Biophilic design’ is one of the hottest trends in home design. Picture: Getty
Key trends include internal living walls, or vertical gardens, which brings the outdoors inside whilst also acting as natural air filters, and indoor water features, which are known to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
“A connection to and the feeling of nature is also achieved with internal courtyards, landscaping, and grounding natural materials such as timber and stone,” explained Mr Conrad.
It’s pretty common knowledge that daylight equates to feeling good.
Natural rays offer both a dose of vitamin D, as well as a boost of the ‘happy hormone’, serotonin. So, a home that lacks natural light is more likely to make us feel depressed and lethargic.
Newer architectural designs are maximising natural light with expansive window, skylights and other features. Picture: Getty
Knowing this, newer architectural designs are strategically planned to maximise natural light through expansive windows, large bi-fold doors, and skylights, helping to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
“Modern home design is getting really innovative with natural light,” said Ms Fettahlioglu.
“We’re seeing more glass in general but also electrochromic glass, which changes its tint based on sunlight to reduce glare and heat, letting you enjoy more natural light without the drawbacks.”
Light not only connects to what time of day it is, the season and the landscape, it also helps us create a balanced circadian rhythm – our bodies’ reactions to light and dark across a 24-hour period that affects our mood and behaviour.
Often just changing a light fixture will bring new personality to a room, helping to turn it from drab and dreary to warm and bright.
Warmer lighting tones in the evening help signal your body that it’s time to wind down. Picture: Getty
“Lighting has huge power in wellness design and can be implemented on a modest budget,” said Mr Conrad.
“Replicating the rhythm of natural light throughout the day works with our bodies’ circadian rhythm and perfectly complements a holistic approach to wellness.”
Adaptive lighting systems can change the colour temperature and brightness of lights throughout the day, mimicking natural light patterns to support circadian rhythms.
In the morning, lights might emit a cooler, more energising light to help wake you up, while in the evening, they can shift to a warmer, more relaxing tone to help signal your body that it’s time to wind down.
“Another cool new feature in home design is adaptive lighting that adjusts based on natural light so your home always feels perfectly lit,” commented Ms Fettahlioglu.
An ergonomic office setup is very much tried and tested, however, increasingly designers are looking to ergonomic principles and applying them to other areas of the home, including room layouts themselves.
Australia is one of the world’s biggest wellness consumers, ranked tenth by the Global Wellness Institute. Picture: Getty
“Key considerations in ergonomic design include accessible built-in storage, designated home office spaces and well-planned traffic flow through utility and living areas,” said property and construction expert and founder of property advocate organisation, Propoholic, Nat Gordon.
Rooms are designed to facilitate effortless movement and accessibility and furniture is positioned to create clear pathways and to avoid unnecessary stretching or bending.
Exercise is so important to your overall wellness. It helps you stay in shape, boost your spirits, and is beneficial to mental health.
And while DIY home gyms are nothing new, what is new is the fact that a dedicated gym space, or yoga or pilates studio, is rapidly becoming an essential component on a client’s wishlist for many architects.
Dedicated fitness areas are definitely on the rise. Picture: Getty
“Dedicated fitness areas are definitely on the rise,” said Mr Conrad.
“And while it’s no secret that there are budgetary and spatial requirements for state-of-the-art wellness equipment and design, relatively modest spaces and budgets can still achieve a wellness centre by incorporating minimal, yet multi-functional gym equipment and a space for yoga and stretching.”
What goes hand-in-hand with a great gym session? A sauna.
Once considered a novelty or the preserve of the fabulously wealthy, home saunas have now become an integral part of the wellness journey for many. As such, there’s a skyrocketing demand amongst Aussies for their very own private sweat boxes.
“The popularity of the saunas soared during the various lockdowns when Australians were looking for ways to turn their homes into a sanctuary — and building an at-home spa, complete with a sauna was definitely part of that,” said the founder of Luxo Living— an online boutique furniture brand that offer affordable saunas — Winston Tu.
“We’ve charted a 77% increase in sauna sales from 2019 to 2020,” he continued. “This plateaued between 2021 and 2022 and then, between 2022 and 2023, there was another huge spike with a 62 percent increase in sauna sales — and they have remained a steady bestseller since.”
Did you know that indoor air is usually far more polluted than outdoor air? In fact, studies show that air quality can be up to five times worse indoors than outdoors. It’s a statistic worth paying attention to given that we’re spending much more time inside.
“Indoor air quality is vital in wellness design,” said Ms Gordon. “Fumes from breathing, cooking and cleaning can be trapped in your home and make the air toxic.”
Air purifiers can improve ventilation and remove dust, smoke and other compounds from the home. Picture: Getty
Some next generation ducted air conditioning systems come built with air purifying capabilities, which can remove ultra-fine dust, smoke and mould, inhabiting the spread of bacteria and deodorising the air at the same time.
“Healthy indoor air quality can also be achieved early in the design stage by maximising cross-flow ventilation and through thoughtful material selection – non-toxic, low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints, sustainable materials and antimicrobial surfaces like copper.”
Don’t know your ‘shui’ from your ‘chi’? According to the ancient practice of Feng Shui, the placement of furniture and objects in our homes can have a serious impact on our personal wellbeing and the best place to start is by clearing clutter.
In fact, there’s a proven link between high cortisol (stress hormone) levels and a high density of household objects. Essentially, more mess, more stress!
Designers are finding savvy ways to organise the home. Picture: Getty
So, to help beef up the serenity in homes, designers are increasingly incorporating savvy ways to hide excess clutter.
“One of the latest trends is integrating smart storage solutions, like built-in cabinetry with hidden compartments and multifunctional furniture,” explained Ms Fettahlioglu. “Wireless charging capabilities are now built into surfaces like kitchen bench tops and bedside tables, eliminating the need for visible cables and chargers.”
Keeping a home clean helps cultivate a positive mindset, improve the general health of its occupants and minimise nasty germs.
And while a regular scrub is a big part of this, technology is also helping us to stay fit and healthy in the home.
“Designers are incorporating touchless and voice-activated technology for convenience, but also to enhance cleanliness and overall well-being,” explained property professional and founder of Air Design Australia, Angela Carrick.
“By reducing surface contact, these technologies minimise germ transmission, creating a cleaner and safer living environment. Features like motion-activated entryways and taps allow homeowners to enter rooms and operate faucets without touching any surfaces.
“This technology is especially beneficial in kitchens and bathrooms, where maintaining cleanliness is paramount. Additionally, voice assistants can provide health reminders, such as drinking water, or taking medication, promoting a healthier lifestyle.”
The day spa may be your usual port of call for a bit of rest and relaxation, but designated personal home spas are, for many, becoming an actual reality.
Many new home designs see the sauna as a mere part of a larger ‘wellness zone’ — some with gym and yoga space and others with an ice bath, pool, jacuzzi and outdoor shower.
New home designs are increasingly coming with wellness and spa offerings. Picture: Getty
Indeed, looking to the future Mr Conrad predicts even more of an expectation that premium properties will come with a comprehensive wellness and spa offering.
“The Australian market is still in its early stages,” he said. “But we are already designing more homes that incorporate cold plunge pools, magnesium pools, hydro-therapy pools, Hammam’s, infrared saunas, sensory steam showers, massage and meditation rooms and sensory steam showers.
“We are also seeing a blurring of the boundary between beauty and wellness with a rise in professional beauty services in the home, and further dedicated spaces such as hair salons and facial therapy rooms. Clearly this is a trend that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
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