Wellness-focused features reduce stress, help us unwind at home

by Judy Stringer

The past few years have seen a renewed emphasis on viewing our homes as sanctuaries, places of respite and retreat from the chaotic and stressful outside world. While there are many ways a home can be optimized to help us function, feel and perform at our best, three local professionals shared their top wellness design picks.

Spa-tify your bathroom

A spa visit offers the ultimate relaxation, so it’s no wonder that bringing that serene atmosphere into our bathrooms has become a popular interior design trend.

For inspiration on designing your own spa-like bathroom, Andria Spalding, an interior designer at Medina-based Architectural Justice, recommends exploring traditional Japanese spa aesthetics. An Ofuro-style soaking tub featuring a built-in seat, for example, “allows for complete immersion,” she said, providing a thorough cleansing and deeply relaxing experience.

“This tub isn’t just about getting clean,” according to Spalding, “it’s about taking a moment to reset and recharge.”

The use of sleek natural materials is a nice modern complement to the traditional tub, she added. In a recent master bathroom renovation, Spalding relied on horizontally grained bamboo-laminated cabinetry, Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and marble pebble flooring in the shower to elevate the spa-like atmosphere

Top off those sophisticated touches with heated floors and anti-fog illuminated medicine cabinets, she advises, for a truly luxurious experience. 

Deck out the backyard

Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can significantly reduce stress levels, lower heart rates and decrease blood pressure. To that end, Brecksville-based remodeling contractor Scott Frank of Scott Frank CR has seen an emphasis on deck replacements among his clients who are yearning to spruce up their outdoor living spaces.

“And the number one request is composite decking,” he said. “People just get tired of the maintenance of the [real] wood, having to clean it and repaint every couple of years. It’s a lot of work.”

Crafted from a blend of recycled wood fibers and plastic, composite boards are resistant to rot, splintering and fading. They come in a variety of colors and textures to mimic the appearance of natural wood while requiring minimal upkeep.

“Really, there’s no maintenance to it. All you have to do is either power wash it or just scrub it down and rinse it every couple of years, and you’re done,” Frank explained.

Composite is more expensive than wood, but homeowners save maintenance costs “in the long run,” he said. Plus, he added, composite decks “look very nice and are a great complement” to other backyard features for people who want to make their outdoor space more welcoming and relaxing.

Bring the outdoors in

Of course, introducing plants into your indoor space is a fantastic way to experience some of the same stress-reducing benefits you get from being outdoors.

“And plants help purify the air by removing harmful toxins and pollutants, which can improve indoor air quality when you have them inside your home,” said Margaret Rivera, an educator in the Agriculture and Natural Resources division of the Ohio State Extension office in Summit County.

When picking a room for indoor plants, opt for spots in front of south-facing windows, because that is where the strongest sunlight will be available, she said. Note, however, that there are plants that do just fine in low-light spaces, including pothos and heart-leafed philodendron.

If you’re a green-thumb newbie, “it’s great to start with plants that are known for being easy to care for,” according to Rivera, who puts the snake plant, the ZZ plant and the spider plant at the top of the easy-care list.

Drainage is another important pro tip. Make sure the plant container has holes that allow water to drain and don’t force the plant to sit in too much moisture. There are plenty of stylish ceramic planters, with matching saucers, or Rivera said a cheaper option is to leave the plant in its plastic nursery container and place it in any available pot.

“When you water, you just want to lift out that nursery pot, let it drain and then pour out any excess water,” she suggested, clarifying that overwatering is a common mistake.

“But then there’s a plant called the peace lily, which is one of those plants that is easy to care for and also is pretty tolerant to wet soil,” Rivera said. “So, if you have that tendency to over-love your plant with water, that’s actually a really good choice.” ∞