DESIGNING FOR WELLNESS
Remove clutter and surround yourself with inspiring homeware
DOROTHY IN The Wizard of Oz reminded us on that fateful trip, remember? “There’s no place like home,” she told us. She was right, home should be our haven, our place of refuge — somewhere we can feel calm and content.
The time we spend at home has increased, with many of us working and learning for longer at the kitchen table or study. Because of this, we’re focusing more on our habitat and many of us are rethinking how it works for us and our wellbeing. Part of slowing down means a chance to reconsider.
We know when our home isn’t making us feel good — if we’ve outgrown it or if it leaves us feeling frustrated. When you walk around your home, what makes your heart sing? What irritates you? Our homes should be an extension of ourselves so as to emphasis who we are in return. Small changes to our homes for the better can have huge effects on our happiness.
Our homes, more than ever, have become places in which to become more mindful. Choosing soft neutral colours helps to calm our minds and create a sense of well-being in a peaceful environment. Selecting calming warm earthy tones, coastal-inspired palettes or nature-evoking greens are great starting points.
Of course, colour is subjective, the soothing effect of a coffee cream might be someone’s else’s idea of lacking vitality. But there are a few things to consider. How do certain colours make you feel? Is this a short-term effect or do you want to be around them on a daily basis?
Take note of nature. Blue is the superstar colour of the moment, bringing with it a sense of clarity, peace and strength — honouring the same tranquillity of the sky and the ocean. Dusty shades are holding their own right now and work wonders when creating a relaxing, tranquil space in the home. Try the softness of Resene Duck Egg Blue — timeless and soothing — or go a touch bolder with Resene Blue Bayoux or Resene Juniper in its Nordic blue-green glory. Once you’ve cleared out the visual clutter, let these blue get rid of the mental clutter, leading you to a calmer space.
Other restful hues are Resene Dust Storm or Resene Bud that will help encourage a sense of wellbeing. If you’re drawn to something more energised try sunny yellow, reds or oranges, such as Resene Golden Sand, Resene Red Oxide or Resene Whiskey Sour.
When designing an interior to enhance the feeling of wellness it really starts with identifying colours that physiologically fit your profile or those in your family, says Laura. “Generally, you will find the traditional tones of cool blues and greens will stimulate wellness the most, which is why we mainly see these colours in medical facilities,” she says. Wellness isn’t a one-sizefits-all type of design scenario. “While an introvert might prefer Resene Secrets, an extrovert’s wellbeing would be balanced with an offset combo of Resene Smoky Green with an energising but muted Resene Sunbaked. It is about building your palette to suit your personality and the mindset outcome that you want to achieve, then selecting specific pieces to style with.”
Soft lighting and soft colours are key, says artist Greer Clayton. “Colours that are similar tonally in living spaces always create a feeling of calm, and I’m a fan of different colours in different rooms to add interest.”