Nowadays, it’s not enough for design to look good, it also has to do good. Enter wellness design, a growing discipline that prioritises improving well-being through intentional design choices. From an emphasis on organic materials to optimising natural light, the goal is to create spaces that enhance both mental and physical well-being.

The truth is, it’s not an entirely new concept. Designers are well aware of the power of a space to shape the way we live. “Aesthetics will always be at the heart of great design, that is a given. What fascinates me today is everything that contributes to a home beyond what we see; the invisible layers that influence how a space feels and how we feel within it,” says Murude Katipoglu, Founder and Creative Director of Murudé whose approach is anchored on creating an emotional environment rather than just a look.

A lot of this is about what the eye can’t see. For instance, humans are mostly ensconced in buildings, but few consider air as a major element in the process of designing interiors. “We spend up to 90% of our time indoors and yet the air surrounding us in those spaces has remained almost entirely absent from the residential design conversation,” says Francesca Brady, co-founder and CEO of Aira Labs, which is focused on improving air quality and the education surrounding this topic.

Today, upgrading a home isn’t only about a lick of new paint or collectible furniture. More and more, it means meaningful decisions that increase quality of life in more ways than one. In time for Global Wellness Day, designers share ideas on how to upgrade your home through wellness design.

Embrace natural textures and materials

Strengthening a home’s connection with nature is an easy way to improve its wellness quotient, but that doesn’t only mean putting potted plants or embarking on a major renovation to bring the outdoors in. “In my experience, the most meaningful changes are often the tactile and sensory ones — the elements we instinctively respond to,” says Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of de Le Cuona, a pioneer of crafting interior fabrics and accessories rooted in nature.

“Natural fabrics have an extraordinary ability to soften a space. Linen, wool, cotton, cashmere and hemp are the fibres we specialise in at de Le Cuona, and our fabric collections are designed to be layered and create an elegantly luxurious, timeless and comforting environment.”

de Le Cuona shares that reviving old furniture with upholstery, choosing a linen curtain that moves gently with the breeze, or incorporating wool fabric that adds a sense of ease are simple tweaks that help connect us with nature. A clean, calming aesthetic is also key. “I use textures and layers in a space rather than a loud pattern, unclutter surfaces as much as possible, and avoid the toxic and disruptive chemicals omitted by synthetic, treated fabrics and scented candles.”

Go beyond the ‘spathroom’ and home gyms

When one thinks of wellness design, spa-like bathrooms with built-in saunas and fitness rooms decked out with the latest equipment first come to mind. While these are the most obvious expressions of how mainstream wellness design is becoming, designers suggest expanding this thinking to the entire home.

“Wellness isn’t a place we visit for an hour a day; it’s something we should experience throughout the entire home and our surroundings,” says Katipoglu. “When every space is designed with the same intention, to enhance daily life and support those who live there, well-being becomes part of the atmosphere rather than a separate destination.”

No matter your interior style, it’s also important to create a calm, enriching vibe that appeals to you. “Before we notice a colour palette or a piece of furniture, we experience the atmosphere of a space. The quality of the air, the smell, the temperature, the acoustics and the overall sense of comfort all influence how we feel on entering a room. These sensory elements are often overlooked, yet they have a profound effect on our daily experience,” she adds.

Think seriously about what you don’t see

“We obsess over what goes into our bodies regarding what we eat and drink… it’s really time to start paying attention to the thing we consume most: air,” says Brady. She adds that homeowners tend to focus on the smaller things like the right stone for a kitchen surface or an ideal proportion of room. “We then fill that carefully considered space with synthetic materials quietly off-gassing chemicals into the air we breathe.”

“Modern, energy efficient homes are very tightly sealed for energy conservation but they trap us in with these chemicals unless we ventilate our spaces appropriately,” she adds.

These chemical emissions, specifically volatile organic compounds (VOCs), come from various sources we don’t suspect: air fresheners, candles, cleaning products, paints, flooring, soft furnishings, cabinets and shelving, kids toys, and personal hygiene products. These lead to symptoms like headaches, poor sleep, respiratory irritation, which can be easy to attribute elsewhere. “People tend not to make the connection between how they feel and what surrounds them at home,” says Brady.

This means that rather than viewing materials purely through an aesthetic lens, we must consider their wider impact on the indoor environment. She suggests going for natural fibres, untreated timbers, lime-based finishes, wool, linen, and other materials that contribute to healthier indoor air quality while also providing texture, warmth, and longevity.

“The aim is fewer forever chemicals, fewer flame-retardant sprays, fewer plastics where the body meets the surface. It’s protecting indoor air and our health without compromising design and experience,” she stresses.

Design for human connection

Loneliness is an epidemic that can manifest even in our own homes. “I’ve always believed that interior design has the power to influence how people connect with one another. While design cannot solve loneliness on its own, it can create environments that encourage meaningful interaction and support stronger relationships within the home,” says Katipoglu.

This begins in the space-planning stage. The most important connection tends to happen around food, from preparation to actual consumption. Creating communal spaces that encourage this to unfold is a good way to start.

“Despite being more connected through technology than ever before, many people are spending less time engaging with those around them. This makes it even more important to design homes that encourage conversation, shared experiences and everyday interaction.”

She adds that another area she focuses on is creating spaces where children can feel part of family life without every shared space becoming dominated by toys and clutter. “Rather than separating children completely in playrooms, we often design integrated storage solutions within living areas and considered furniture so that children have a place to play or do homework close by,” she adds.

Don’t forget about smell and sound

What the eye can see is oftentimes the focal point of design, but truly beautiful spaces are sensory experiences. “What has influenced me most recently is the growing understanding of how our sensory environment shapes our well-being,” says Katipoglu, who shares that she is particularly interested in the role of scent within the interiors.

“Smell is one of our most powerful senses. It influences mood, memory and emotion, yet it is rarely considered as part of the design process. We carefully design light, proportion and materiality, but the atmosphere carried through the air is often left until the very end.”

In a residential project in Chelsea, she is exploring ways to integrate aromatherapy into the home’s ventilation system so that scent becomes part of the overall experience of the house. “The intention is not to create an obvious fragrance, but to subtly support different moments throughout the day.

According to de Le Cuona, another underestimated area is sound. “Soft furnishings, layered textiles and natural materials absorb noise and create a gentler atmosphere. People often talk about how a room looks, but how it sounds — and therefore how it feels — is equally important to well-being,” she adds. Wellness design isn’t just a trend or isolated idea, but should be integrated into every space. “It is about creating homes that restore us quietly, every day, through comfort, tactility, light, balance and connection to nature.”

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