Karen Larson talks about Wellness and Interior Design
Wellness is a comprehensive term incorporating many facets. The definition according to the National Wellness Institute, is “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” With people spending on average 90% of their time indoors, leading professionals in medicine, science and the green building industry are developing new building standards, design concepts and material specifications in an effort to improve human health and well-being through the built environment.
While most of the focus is on the workplace environment and public community spaces, Broad Avenue Studios, Inc., an interior design firm specializing in wellness, helps homeowners apply these concepts to their private residences. Through the consideration and control of key factors including air quality, water filtration and lighting design, your personal space can greatly impact your health. Here are a few wellness design trends we’ve noted recently:
Air quality and material selection
Improving and maintaining high air quality in the indoor environment is crucial to one’s health. Not only are proper ventilation and filtration systems key, but also the construction materials used in your home can dramatically affect air quality. Paint, flooring, adhesives, sealants and even your furniture can potentially off-gas, acting as indoor air pollutants.
Lighting
Natural lighting is an important wellness trend because it assists with our natural circadian rhythms keeping us alert and energetic during the day. Furthermore, scientific studies have found that circadian disruption can act as a probable human carcinogen. Technology advances have made residential lighting control systems that support the circadian rhythm more affordable and simpler to use for the common homeowner. In addition, artificial light is also being used to influence mood and wellness. For example, soft, diffused light can promote relaxation. Blue light can help to improve productivity which makes it a great choice for workspaces.
Full spectrum paint
For the past decade the concept of full spectrum paint color has emerged as one of the most intriguing developments in paint color technology. Full spectrum color mixing means no black is used in the formulas since black absorbs light wavelengths and does not contribute to reflecting light back into the space. This results in a naturally brighter environment with the nuances and undertones of a full spectrum color inherently more satisfying to the eye.
