It is a fact that healthy design affects human wellness and behavior in so many ways. Good design has a direct interaction with physical and mental health. Here are 7 design solutions to be considered when designing healthy interiors.
1. Choose materials that are free from VOC/s, plastics, and formaldehyde. This practice will eliminate toxic chemicals that will affect your health. Elements that contain such materials are leading providers of unhealthy spaces which can lead to headaches, allergies, airsickness, asthma, and nose, eye, and throat irritations.
2. Select materials that are unfavorable to bacteria – nonporous surfaces will avoid trapping bacteria and allergens, making them perfect surfaces to be disinfected. Ceramic and porcelain tiles or glass, are well known materials with impervious characteristics which means they cannot host dust mites, fungi, mold and bacteria.
They can also be easily maintained and cleaned with household cleaners without damaging their characteristics, and finishes.
3. Good lighting – every space needs a good lighting solution, whether the source is natural or artificial light. Consider large windows and doors when designing a building or construction. Natural light is highly positive in nature and is a perfect antidepressant. Sunlight also has great health benefits, being a source of vitamin D and a natural disinfectant.
For night time select good sources of artificial lighting that mimic daylight for spaces where you socialize, read, study and carry daily activities, and rather a whiter light for workspaces or home office which will make you more productive.
4. Focus on Air quality – it is very important that you don’t breathe toxins, impurities, and bacteria, which are present in everyone’s home, even the cleanest one. Invest in a good air purifier to improve air quality, clean air ducts, and change for a good quality air-conditioning filter monthly. This way you will reduce air pollutants, which have a direct impact on mental and physical health. You can not have healthy interior if there is no air quality.
5. Decorate with interior plants – not only your spaces will look happier, more especial by giving your home a natural look, but will also help to keep moods positive and lifted.
Be mindful that houseplants will keep the air disinfected, clean impurities and dirt particles present in the air, providing healthier spaces.
6. Color selection – it is a well-known fact how color affects our mood, heartbeat and even your blood pressure! So, the color selection for a specific space, is an important element of the décor that will provide the ambience to develop the activities destined and intended, in a particular space.
Color theory demonstrates that blue, green and purple, especially in cool muted hues, can be very calming, making them ideal for bedrooms since they provide tranquility. Instead, red, yellow, and orange are energetic and provide a boost of your mood, keeping you active, and stimulate your senses.
7. Clean often - cleaning spaces will create welcoming environment and provide well-being. They contribute to the health status of your home, by keeping germs and toxins at bay, and help maintain good standards of hygiene. So clean frequently, clean well, and clean deep.
There are some items and surfaces that are more delicate to clean, such as upholstered furniture, just to name one element of décor. So, select a good quality fabric that is labeled for easy cleaning, dust and moist resistant, so you can constantly sanitize or clean often.
My advice is to always read product labels and investigate on the components of each item that you will select for the construction, remodeling, enhancement, furniture and decoration of your home, workplace, or business. Following these steps, you will be able to create healthy interiors. Healthy living is a happy life.
If you want to learn more about this, go to: how to improve the wellness of your dream home using Biophilic design.
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