Design a Healthy Home: 100 ways to transform your space for physical and mental wellbeing

Description

With indoor air pollution at its worst, and many of us spending more time in our own homes, this interior design guide will help you create calm, social, and comfortable spaces. Let leading sustainability architect, Oliver Heath, give you all the practical solutions you need to transform your space for physical and mental wellbeing. Inside the pages of this home decor book, you’ll discover how to detoxify your home by making small changes. It includes:     • 100 tried and tested, research-based design ideas to support your health and wellbeing in even the smallest of spaces    • Stylish, fun, and affordable home design tips based on the latest research in sustainable, biophilic design You're never going to be able to control the environment in the grocery store or your office, but your home is a completely different story. You are in charge of your living space, so why not make it as healthy as can be? Based on the latest evidence and research in wellbeing and biophilic design, this practical guide will show you how to create a restorative and nurturing environment - no matter the size of your space.  The ideas and solutions included in this book have been devised with easy implementation in mind. Optimize lighting in your home by using reflective surfaces for a brighter space, follow a ventilation checklist to replenish the air in your home and remove pollutants, or unlock the powers of a tech-free bedroom for a better night's sleep. Whatever your budget and whether you rent or own your property, you can use these creative ideas to make your home a sanctuary. Contents FOREWORD A BIOPHILIC DESIGN APPROACH COLOR, PATTERN, & TEXTURE Our perception of color Plan your color scheme Create color harmony How light and color in teract Add pops of color Zone using color Be careful with dark colors Tune in to your fractal fluency Use pattern in the righ t places Bring in natural patterns with images Zone using pattern Feel the benefit of natural textures Use wood Connect with nature through materials Create mindful moments ACTIVITIES Create a workspace The ergonomics of working from home Reduce distractions when home working How to restore focus Create a private space Make space for hobbies Designate space for exercise Exercise in outdoor spaces Make sure you’re ready to go out CONNECTEDNESS Make your kitchen inviting The power of soup Make your living space adaptable Have a welcoming entryway Create focal points Connect with your neighbors Connect with the neighborhood LIGHT Get to know your circadian rhythms Let the sun in Make the most of sunlight Get outside Maximize winter light Prevent glare Get artificial lighting right Introduce circadian lighting Add some magic touches SLEEP Design a bedroom retreat Create darkness Reduce visual clutter Choose a good mattress Choose a wooden bed Think about bedroom lighting Create healthy children’s rooms Regulate your temperature Create bedtime rituals SOUND Choose sound or silence Reduce incoming noise Balance lively and calm acoustics Choose quiet products Have biophilic acoustics Mask unwanted noise Find your acoustic circadian rhythms WATER Enjoy clean drinking water Turn your bathroom into a retreat Make a shared bathroom work Save water in the kitchen Save water in the bathroom Consider installing a home aquarium Install an outdoor water feature Use rainwater for plants WARMTH Cut your heating bills Ditch your dryer Diminish the drafts Control your heating Create a cozy fireplace Manage solar gain AIR Be an air-quality detective Know your local air quality Use air filtration Prevent dampness and mold Remove dust and mites Choose natural or eco p aints Go for toxin-free furniture Use nontoxic cleaning products Use natural scents Manage seasonal allergies PLANTING Caring for plants Analyze your light levels Introduce tabletop plants Introduce floor plants Introduce hanging plants Create a mini green wall Consider a hydroponic system Propagate your houseplants Try preserved plants Take a room-by-room approach Add plants to bedrooms Add plants to the kitchen Add plants to the bathroom Add plants to the living room Add plants to your workspace Grow your own Create a sensory garden Make a mini garden Cultivate a healthy microbiome Get your hands dirty Further reading About the authors