How to Create a Healing Space at Home
Mindful—and possibly low-cost—ways to bring a soothing vibe through renovation
(Above) Energy-efficient CT home renovation by Sweeten architect Elizabeth; Photo © aphotographix.com
In the 21st century, an increased awareness around wellness has led renovators and contractors alike to seek ways to turn homes into healing spaces. More knowledge about lighting, paint, non-toxic materials, soundproofing, and heated flooring have helped transform homes into soothing sanctuaries. Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, asked some of its contractors and architects the best approaches to bringing a philosophy of wellness and healing into their home renovations.
Bring in the light
One of the most cost-effective ways to transform your home into a serene sanctuary is through lighting. As Sweeten general contractor Sean recommends, installing dimmer switches on every light fixture can significantly enhance your home’s ambiance. By adjusting the lighting intensity to your preference, you can create a calming atmosphere that helps alleviate stress and promote relaxation. “Coming home should be a retreat,” Sean emphasizes, sharing his business partner’s inspiration from a meditation retreat. Their company specializes in renovating homes to prioritize mindfulness, healing, and safety. While installing dimmer switches might require a master electrician and potential approval from local authorities, the investment is well worth it for the comfort and tranquility it brings.
Natural light is a powerful tool for creating a healing home. As Sweeten architect Julia advocates, incorporating sustainable materials like glass, native plants, and abundant natural light can significantly enhance your living space. Maximizing natural light through strategically placed windows is key. If your home’s existing windows are limited, consider creative solutions like using white epoxy paint or mirrors to reflect and amplify sunlight. Contractor Sean echoes this approach, emphasizing the importance of mirrors for maximizing natural light. By embracing these strategies, you can create a bright, airy, and rejuvenating environment.
A well-lit room can significantly elevate the overall ambiance of your home. Adequate lighting not only affects your mood but also impacts your physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light can help regulate sleep patterns, boost mood, and improve productivity. Additionally, well-lit spaces can make your home feel more inviting and welcoming. By prioritizing natural light and incorporating thoughtful artificial lighting, you can create a home that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Install radiant heat flooring
Even the most motivated person might have difficulty leaping out of bed once winter arrives, especially when your feet hit a cold floor. Radiant floor heating is just one way Sweeten general contractor Scott said clients feel like they have spent wisely. This cost-efficient way to heat your home provides warmth via electric wires or hot-water tubes hidden beneath the floor. This means no radiators clanking, random heat pockets, or vents with heat surges. An even blanket of heat rises from under your feet, meaning you can turn down the thermostat and reduce heating bills.
(Above) Sweeten homeowner Christina soundproofed her floors
Soundproof walls and floors
Many New York codes now require soundproofing between floors, and the softening of footfalls can result in other healing side effects—the extra cushion could extend both the life of your floors and your ankles.
Scott said insulation inside walls or on the surface of walls, foam, for instance, can also create a peaceful setting by diffusing outside noise. He added that soundproof windows can help silence everything from garbage trucks to fire sirens. As with all renovations, soundproofing comes with an increased cost based on square footage and labor. The low end of soundproofing walls might increase renovation costs by 5 to 10 percent while the high end could double costs. As for soundproofing floors, Sean gave a range of 10 to 30 percent of an increased expense over a typical floor renovation.
Nevertheless, Scott’s clients have been amazed at how healing it can be to keep unnecessary sounds out of their home. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!
(Above) Sweeten bathroom renovation with images of nature
Consider the color palette
Walls can be a powerful tool for transforming your home’s ambiance. Sean, a seasoned general contractor, recommends soft, earth-tone hues with low-VOC paints to create a calming atmosphere. For a more dramatic touch, consider incorporating nature-inspired wallpaper. “A birch or cypress garden in your foyer can be breathtaking,” Sean suggests.
Julia, an architect with a keen eye for Japanese design principles, emphasizes the importance of minimalism in creating a serene environment. She advocates for a limited color palette of one to three colors, highlighting the versatility of white as a neutral choice that enhances both simplicity and mindfulness.
The power of color psychology cannot be overstated. Studies have shown that certain colors can evoke specific emotions and influence our mood. For example, blue is often associated with calmness and tranquility, while green can promote feelings of balance and harmony. By carefully selecting your wall colors, you can create a space that not only looks beautiful but also contributes to your overall well-being.
Think about insulation alternatives
Feeling safe is essential to being comfortable in your home. Humidity and dampness, especially in basements, can create toxic molds,
Sweeten architect Elizabeth is a pioneer in using natural, non-VOC materials throughout homes. She believes that creating a healthy and environmentally friendly living space is not only beneficial for residents but also for the planet. While opting for these materials might involve slightly higher costs, Elizabeth emphasizes that the investment is often worth it. “It’s like buying organic foods,” she explains. “It might cost a little more, but the long-term benefits outweigh the initial expense.”
Elizabeth recommends several insulation materials that are both effective and environmentally friendly: cellulose, rock-wool, denim, mineral wool board, and GUTEX. Among these options, rock-wool and denim insulation are particularly easy to install and can be a viable DIY project for homeowners with basic construction skills. Elizabeth has completely phased out the use of spray-foam insulation, which can contain harmful chemicals and contribute to indoor air pollution.
By prioritizing natural, non-toxic materials like MemBrane and the insulation options mentioned above, you can create a safer and healthier living environment for yourself and your family.
Create efficient cook spaces
Sweeten general contractor Sean said he ranks the places where we both make our food and eat it as high priorities for creating a healing environment. “We pay special attention to making the kitchen/dining areas, where we nourish and nurture ourselves, into a welcoming space with easy-to-clean, well-lit work surfaces,” he said. “We also encourage the client to choose efficient appliances that keep foods fresh and make quick work of healthy meals and we locate them in the space for the most comfortable, ergonomic layout.”
Designate a Zen room
Some people want to create a specific room to serve as a designated sanctuary. In this case, many of the elements highlighted so far can apply to a room for yoga, meditation, or any other restorative activity.
For example, some contractors incorporate elements they’ve used in creating commercial yoga or Pilates studios into the home. When creating a Pilates studio, Julia used natural light to its full effect. After discovering a skylight in the back of the room, she used reflective epoxy white paint on the floors to magnify the abundance of natural light streaming in through the front windows.
Other touches might be used as well. At a yoga studio for children, Scott turned a space behind the building into a grass turf so children could practice yoga comfortably outside.
Twenty years ago, Scott said, he wouldn’t have given much thought to the possibility of a peaceful space for yoga or meditation anywhere. “Now, the option is on his mind constantly. “If a client is comfortable, they feel like they got bang for the buck.”
A healing space can create the right environment that helps well-being carving a new path to your dream home. Said Sean, “If we don’t take this time for self-care, we’re no good to anybody.”
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