Pro Panel: How to Design a Home That Boosts Wellbeing
Find out how science can help you create a home that’s good for your physical and mental health
Amanda Pollard
4 July 2023
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
When it comes to designing our homes, happiness can feel like quite a subjective thing to ask for, but more and more architects and designers are looking to science for proof that buildings impact our mental health. In fact, neuroarchitecture is using evidence from neuroscientific studies to help architects design buildings that will improve the wellbeing of those who live in them.
“Today, we use the term neuroarchitecture to describe how the brain and body behave in buildings,” says Eve Edelstein, a research director and one of the pioneers of neuroarchitecture. “Our brain’s senses, perceptions, thoughts, emotions and actions respond to the air we breathe, the quality of light, the intensity of sound, and the colour, texture and dimension of all places.”
We’ve taken a closer look at these studies to see how science can help you design a home that’s good for you. Houzz spoke with Eve Edelstein PhD, director of the Human Experience (Hx) Lab at Perkins & Will; and Itai Palti, director of Hume, a science-informed architecture and urban-design practice.
Find an architect near you to design a home that promotes wellness and family connections
We’ve taken a closer look at these studies to see how science can help you design a home that’s good for you. Houzz spoke with Eve Edelstein PhD, director of the Human Experience (Hx) Lab at Perkins & Will; and Itai Palti, director of Hume, a science-informed architecture and urban-design practice.
Find an architect near you to design a home that promotes wellness and family connections
Keep calm
“We live in a society that’s overworked and overstimulated, and this has a huge effect on our wellbeing,” says Palti. “Our homes are usually the only place where we have a choice of how much stimulation we’re exposed to.”
He recommends incorporating calm areas within your home. “Create spaces free of digital distractions and conducive to healthy interactions with family and friends,” he says. “This doesn’t necessarily mean a minimalist room – it could be a balcony for gardening or a hobby room, for example.”
“I suggest the most important neuroarchitectural principle is to design around people, and not the TV,” says Edelstein. “Position yourself to enjoy the sun when it’s out, make quiet spots for study, and create spaces that support the value of people coming together.”
“We live in a society that’s overworked and overstimulated, and this has a huge effect on our wellbeing,” says Palti. “Our homes are usually the only place where we have a choice of how much stimulation we’re exposed to.”
He recommends incorporating calm areas within your home. “Create spaces free of digital distractions and conducive to healthy interactions with family and friends,” he says. “This doesn’t necessarily mean a minimalist room – it could be a balcony for gardening or a hobby room, for example.”
“I suggest the most important neuroarchitectural principle is to design around people, and not the TV,” says Edelstein. “Position yourself to enjoy the sun when it’s out, make quiet spots for study, and create spaces that support the value of people coming together.”
Let there be light
Exposure to light is important for maintaining our body’s natural rhythm, and sunlight during the day is key. “The science of vision informs us that daylight is more powerful than electric light,” says Edelstein. “Begin with the architecture and the location of windows for sunlight, and arrange furniture and shading to allow for morning light, to shade intense heat, and to provide darkness at night.
“While you’re thinking about this, don’t forget the relaxing and invigorating value of a view,” she adds.
Locate your largest windows in rooms you’ll use during the day, such as the kitchen, and arrange furniture to benefit from the light that spills in. If you work from home, make sure your desk is close enough to a window that you can pause at intermittently to enjoy a view of the outdoors and take in sunlight.
Exposure to light is important for maintaining our body’s natural rhythm, and sunlight during the day is key. “The science of vision informs us that daylight is more powerful than electric light,” says Edelstein. “Begin with the architecture and the location of windows for sunlight, and arrange furniture and shading to allow for morning light, to shade intense heat, and to provide darkness at night.
“While you’re thinking about this, don’t forget the relaxing and invigorating value of a view,” she adds.
Locate your largest windows in rooms you’ll use during the day, such as the kitchen, and arrange furniture to benefit from the light that spills in. If you work from home, make sure your desk is close enough to a window that you can pause at intermittently to enjoy a view of the outdoors and take in sunlight.
Tone it down
As well as maximising daylight, it’s also crucial to focus on minimising light at certain times of the day.
“We now know that both light and darkness are very important to our biological clocks, or circadian rhythms,” says Edelstein. “Yet our homes and our cities are bathed in light that flows through into our bedrooms, or from computers and phones, exposing us to light from morning through night-time.”
“To not be exposed to blue light, or too much light, in the evening is crucial for a heathy circadian rhythm, which affects your sleep, your mood and even your eating habits and digestion,” says Palti.
Plan a layered lighting scheme with lamps and dimmer switches, as low lighting will help your mind and body unwind in the evening. Keep screens out of the bedroom and invest in window treatments that block light from outside.
Positive Vibrations: How to Choose Lighting for Optimal Wellbeing
As well as maximising daylight, it’s also crucial to focus on minimising light at certain times of the day.
“We now know that both light and darkness are very important to our biological clocks, or circadian rhythms,” says Edelstein. “Yet our homes and our cities are bathed in light that flows through into our bedrooms, or from computers and phones, exposing us to light from morning through night-time.”
“To not be exposed to blue light, or too much light, in the evening is crucial for a heathy circadian rhythm, which affects your sleep, your mood and even your eating habits and digestion,” says Palti.
Plan a layered lighting scheme with lamps and dimmer switches, as low lighting will help your mind and body unwind in the evening. Keep screens out of the bedroom and invest in window treatments that block light from outside.
Positive Vibrations: How to Choose Lighting for Optimal Wellbeing
Shut out the noise
Edelstein emphasises the impact of sound on our wellbeing and how it can affect us at different times. “The field of psychoacoustics reminds us that what is a pleasant sound at one moment may be unwanted at another,” she says.
“Within our homes, we can apply these principles to manage where sound goes when we need to concentrate, communicate or rest by using absorptive or reflective materials to distribute sound differently,” she adds.
In this room, for instance, the architects installed acoustic panelling in the party wall to avoid noise transferring between the house and its neighbour. They also fitted an internal pocket door, which can be closed in the evening to create a quieter space.
For more immediate ways to manage noise, think about incorporating soft materials and artwork in your room to absorb sound.
Edelstein emphasises the impact of sound on our wellbeing and how it can affect us at different times. “The field of psychoacoustics reminds us that what is a pleasant sound at one moment may be unwanted at another,” she says.
“Within our homes, we can apply these principles to manage where sound goes when we need to concentrate, communicate or rest by using absorptive or reflective materials to distribute sound differently,” she adds.
In this room, for instance, the architects installed acoustic panelling in the party wall to avoid noise transferring between the house and its neighbour. They also fitted an internal pocket door, which can be closed in the evening to create a quieter space.
For more immediate ways to manage noise, think about incorporating soft materials and artwork in your room to absorb sound.
Connect with nature
“Have you ever wondered why the flicker of leaves or the sparkle of water is so engaging or relaxing, and why many choose to invest more in homes that offer beautiful views?” Edelstein asks.
An explanation can be given by the biophilia hypothesis, which was defined by Edward O Wilson in the 1980s as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life”. Itai highlights this and points to a seminal study in Pennsylvania, USA, by Roger S Ulrich, which showed recovery rates of hospital patients were better for those who had a view of a natural scene.
In our homes, we can translate this by ensuring we have a connection with living things. Incorporate glazing to provide a view of greenery outside, and include natural materials in the design of your interior.
“Have you ever wondered why the flicker of leaves or the sparkle of water is so engaging or relaxing, and why many choose to invest more in homes that offer beautiful views?” Edelstein asks.
An explanation can be given by the biophilia hypothesis, which was defined by Edward O Wilson in the 1980s as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life”. Itai highlights this and points to a seminal study in Pennsylvania, USA, by Roger S Ulrich, which showed recovery rates of hospital patients were better for those who had a view of a natural scene.
In our homes, we can translate this by ensuring we have a connection with living things. Incorporate glazing to provide a view of greenery outside, and include natural materials in the design of your interior.
Being close to water is also hugely beneficial for our mental and physical health, and BlueHealth – an ongoing, pan-European research project led by the University of Exeter, UK – is looking into this more closely.
Of course, we can’t all live near an ocean, river or lake, but by incorporating a water feature into your outdoor space, you can still enjoy its restorative effects. If space is tight, there are plenty of alternatives to a pond, such as a water bowl and rill like this.
Of course, we can’t all live near an ocean, river or lake, but by incorporating a water feature into your outdoor space, you can still enjoy its restorative effects. If space is tight, there are plenty of alternatives to a pond, such as a water bowl and rill like this.
Be smart with space
Studies have shown that people often see open spaces as more beautiful than enclosed ones, but this doesn’t mean your rooms have to be large.
Palti says it’s important to look at preferences in context. “One might judge a smaller space as more beautiful than a large one if it’s better designed,” he explains. “We also know of many open spaces we’d rather not hang around in, and many small, cosy spaces that we deem beautiful. We use a User-Affordance-Space formula, which means we hone in on someone’s specific needs.”
The key is to design a room that feels spacious and functions well, rather than focusing on size or whether it’s open-plan or not. This modest living room, for example, has been designed with plenty of glazing to bring in a connection to the outside, and the layout ensures there’s a feeling of flow.
Can Your Home Make You Healthier?
Studies have shown that people often see open spaces as more beautiful than enclosed ones, but this doesn’t mean your rooms have to be large.
Palti says it’s important to look at preferences in context. “One might judge a smaller space as more beautiful than a large one if it’s better designed,” he explains. “We also know of many open spaces we’d rather not hang around in, and many small, cosy spaces that we deem beautiful. We use a User-Affordance-Space formula, which means we hone in on someone’s specific needs.”
The key is to design a room that feels spacious and functions well, rather than focusing on size or whether it’s open-plan or not. This modest living room, for example, has been designed with plenty of glazing to bring in a connection to the outside, and the layout ensures there’s a feeling of flow.
Can Your Home Make You Healthier?
Cull the clutter
If you keep putting off decluttering your home, scientific data might give you the motivation you need. In a study on the link between procrastination and clutter by Joseph Ferrari and Catherine Roster, respondents with cluttered homes reported a decrease in life satisfaction
“This again plays on the concept of cognitive load,” says Palti, “and the effect of overstimulation and distraction from the environment.”
It makes sense, then, to put storage at the top of your list when designing your home. Declutter first, so you’re left with the final edit of your belongings, then plan storage to perfectly match your needs.
Your turn
Which features in your home do you believe promote wellbeing? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Interested in learning more about this new field of research? Can Affordable Housing Be Designed to Support Our Wellbeing?
If you keep putting off decluttering your home, scientific data might give you the motivation you need. In a study on the link between procrastination and clutter by Joseph Ferrari and Catherine Roster, respondents with cluttered homes reported a decrease in life satisfaction
“This again plays on the concept of cognitive load,” says Palti, “and the effect of overstimulation and distraction from the environment.”
It makes sense, then, to put storage at the top of your list when designing your home. Declutter first, so you’re left with the final edit of your belongings, then plan storage to perfectly match your needs.
Your turn
Which features in your home do you believe promote wellbeing? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Interested in learning more about this new field of research? Can Affordable Housing Be Designed to Support Our Wellbeing?
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marcia6700- No, it's an actual streetlight. Put in by the parish at his bequest. It turns on and off by photocell automatically. There is no adjustment or ability to change the bulb. I have light blocking curtains that work well to block it out so I can sleep. Even if his lights did cut off just before dawn, who is going to be there to open my curtains just before dawn so the natural light can wake me up?
well, personally to me this is preaching to the choir. however, based on my decades of observation going around the world, i feel at least 90% of the world's population actually prefer a lot of noises, even very dependent on non stop external stimulations including interactions/socializing with people. most people i have come cross cannot and won't spend one day alone. so 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️ for us (my husband and i), real calmness requires personal space and time: by "personal" i literally mean "one's own". i am a minimalist at heart, and my space is always calming because it is NOT designed for "people coming together" - my home is not for "people". as a matter of fact, it is only for me and my husband. nowadays it seems too convenient to portray TV or a smart phone as the biggest culprit. honestly, i never get bothered by a TV on a wall (it is not hard to keep it off), or someone doing whatever she/he likes quietly on their phone. most of noises come from loud, rowdy, inconsiderate and insecure people. also, typical of american culture, even this article does not stress the importance of high ceiling. we live in italy during the summer/fall 6 months. the effect of high ceiling with very tall windows in historic buildings is something often forgotten in design in the US.
I would love to make space to sit down and be able to switch off. I have serious mental
health issues, so I need space that I can use away from the TV and laptop with the
sun through the window, having tea and maybe reading the paper or a book will help me balance my life, which makes such a difference
The outside world is so busy and noisy we all need to find a space that we
can go to