Design for Wellness: The Ultimate Guide
The 2018 Build Well Live Well Report reveals the US wellness industry is a staggering $3.7 trillion, outpacing global economic growth. Beyond a fleeting trend, wellness has become a staple in our language, promising inner peace. Gone are the days when spa resorts were the only option; wellness and its resulting Value On Investment (VOI) are now equally important as traditional ROI. We crave more than financial gain; we yearn for a sense of well-being. Therefore, I firmly believe wellness should be the cornerstone of every new build. By incorporating best-practice spa design elements, I’ll transform any space – whether it’s a resort, home office or retail store – into a Design For Wellness haven.
Part 1: What Is Design for Wellness?
Design for Wellness seamlessly integrates all interior design elements – space, lines, form, light, colour, texture and pattern – with tried-and-tested wellness principles. This fusion transforms any environment into a naturally comforting haven.
Imagine entering a luxury spa resort. A profound sense of peace and calm envelops you instantly. It’s hard to pinpoint precisely what makes it so, but that’s the essence of Design for Wellness – its beauty and mystery. Every detail is meticulously crafted to create an effortless transition into a state of well-being for guests, tenants, or homeowners alike.
Why is Design for Wellness so important?
In today’s demanding world, we crave a sanctuary to replenish our energy. This sanctuary will look different for everyone.
Some might prefer a dimly lit space with dark tones to quiet their minds and reduce overstimulation. Others might need natural light or vibrant colours to invigorate their senses.
Regardless of the approach, the ultimate goal is to cultivate a presence in our surroundings that fosters contentment. Wellness Design enhances our lives, enriching our experiences.
Our exercise routines and food choices vary, but a common thread of Wellness for all of us is simply something that makes us feel better. Design For Wellness incorporates every aspect of your life into the process: from the colour of your walls to the texture of your sofa to the materials used in your kitchen benchtop and cutting boards.
Every element in your environment triggers a sensory reaction that shapes your experience of the space. A positive felt experience naturally makes you feel more at home, which is the essence of wellness design.
An “unwell” environment fosters discomfort and disconnection. Poorly planned space utilisation or simply cost-driven colour schemes can harm our well-being. This subconscious unease is hard to pinpoint, but it becomes evident when people avoid such spaces. This is particularly problematic in commercial construction and renovation.
Ignoring affectivity, or the emotional impact of design, can lead to discomfort and increased stress and hinder the goal of feeling good.
A well-designed space naturally draws us in.
What truly defines a “well” design?
It blends principles of Wellness with scientifically proven behavioural insights and features striking aesthetics that uplift our mood.
Wellness involves a profound sense of safety and comfort achieved through elements such as texture, shape, colour, lighting, tone, room structure, and privacy. These interconnected factors communicate the environment’s language, significantly influencing our emotional responses.
Globally, the psychology of design is widely used. It guides shoppers in supermarkets, encouraging exploration and boosting purchases. This subtle, almost subliminal influence shapes consumer behaviour and fosters a sense of belonging.
This is why a hotel lobby coffee feels more appealing than one in your room. It alleviates the overwhelming sensation of entering an unfamiliar shopping mall, guiding and reassuring you.
Part 2: Understanding Spa Success Factors
Integrating ‘best practice’ spa design means creating health and wellness-focused spaces with areas for quiet reflection and meditation, but also spaces that encourage interaction. Authentic wellness interiors are vibrant environments that cater to our diverse wants and needs, whether in a workplace, spa, retail space or home. Rather than solely promoting silence and withdrawal, we can design spaces that rejuvenate, restore and inspire. Wellness-centric design prioritises tailoring to individual customer needs over applying a universal formula. While wellness design elements are globally recognised, their application is often unique to each space.
Applications of Design for Wellness
Designing for Wellness in Resorts
When building resorts, it’s essential to consider how design impacts overall well-being. This extends beyond simple CAD layouts to thoughtful space planning.
For example, carefully select locations for public spaces, private areas and activity zones while also considering their environmental impact. Allocate zones for rest, relaxation, and dining, and understand how each area connects. Practical positioning includes placing breakout spaces away from noisy food areas and ensuring easy access to interconnected facilities. This might involve providing hot drinks and snacks without guests needing to enter the lively, family-friendly dining hub.
When designing villas, prioritise appropriate spacing and material selection that unify elements and create a welcoming, grounded atmosphere for guests.
How design influences Wellness
The significance of context is key. While lively and noisy family gatherings are part of their charm, feeling restricted from making noise can add stress and diminish enjoyment.
Wellness isn’t just about being stress-free; it also involves a sense of relaxed comfort that varies for everyone. Ultimately, the goal is to enrich guests’ personal stories. A resort should be a diverse environment that’s remembered for creating memorable holidays or getaways.
Each area should surprise and delight with a new experience, and careful planning is required.
Design for Wellness in residential developments
Even in residential developments, thoughtful design significantly impacts well-being. Privacy is crucial; feeling crowded or unable to hear neighbours’ conversations undermines it and should be avoided.
Developers should consider costs, but I recommend looking beyond them. Think about colour, lighting and screening. Understanding how shape, colour tone and layout structure the senses can enhance the experience for potential tenants and support overall wellbeing. Furthermore, designing spaces with wellbeing in mind attracts investors seeking sustainable, durable properties. This approach leads to happier tenants, improved business perception and a healthier environment.
Design For Wellness in the Home
Walls and pipes can become attractive features through creative reuse. There are no restrictions on designing wellness areas, and even rentals can benefit from custom touches like candles, lamps, and appealing textures. The aim is to create a space that leaves a positive impression. Fragrances and plants also play a crucial role in transforming a dull space into a welcoming haven.
Design for Wellness in Retail Environments
Their willingness to buy is a key factor. Understanding how customers feel in that environment is crucial. These insights guide the design process. We aim to create a space that captures attention through visual merchandising and strategically placed products. Ultimately, people buy based on feelings, even if they can’t pinpoint them.
Build well to live well – future trends
Retirement Villages
As the population ages, wellness design principles are becoming increasingly crucial in retirement villages. The days of plain community halls and sterile dining rooms are fading, making way for wellness-focused environments. I’m excited to be part of this growing trend.
Childcare Centres
Space is increasingly shaping childcare and school environments. We’re realising that feeling healthy improves performance, and this is especially important in childcare.
Airbnb
Airbnb rental properties have seen a dramatic surge, increasing by 87% between 2017 and 2018. In Australia alone, visitors hail from over 150 countries*. Given the global nature of home-sharing, incorporating wellness design is a perfect strategy. It offers international guests a taste of your country’s hospitality and a memorable experience.
Conclusion
Wellness-oriented design can be adapted to any setting. It involves using classic design principles to create a sense of calm and satisfaction.
Draw ideas from Spa Resorts by carefully managing space, lighting, colour, texture, and privacy to minimise overstimulation and promote relaxation.
Follow User Experience Design (UX) principles by considering how tenants, residents, or guests want to feel upon entering a space, and how each element can support that experience. Although owning or developing property is primarily about profit, this perspective shouldn't be overlooked.
Wellness-focused design, instead of being obscure, utilises best practices from design psychology, interior styling, and personalised aesthetics.
Creating a peaceful and harmonious environment enhances our collective mindset and reduces environmental impact, making their combined importance crucial for progress.
My greatest joy is sharing my expertise in wellness design, given its impactful role in daily life. If you’re interested in applying these principles ethically and therapeutically, let’s connect.
I offer consultations, implementation, and full project management. No project is too big or small; the wellness focus is what truly matters.
Delahrose Roobie Myer
Designer