The Rise of Wellness Features in the Home: From SAUNAS to Reading Nooks
November 30, 2025
In recent years, more people want homes that help their health and happiness. A home isn’t just a place to live—it’s a place to feel good, rest, and grow. We’re seeing a shift in home design toward a wellness home approach. From quiet reading corners to full saunas, homeowners and designers are creating wellness spaces that support physical and mental well‑being. In this article, we’ll look at what this trend means, how it shows up in homes, and why it’s important in wellness real estate and home wellness.
What Is a Wellness‑Focused Home?
A wellness‑focused home is one built so that every part supports your health. That means thinking about how you sleep, how you move, how you relax, and how clean your home is. In simple words: a home designed for well‑being, not just style. The elements of wellness design include safe materials, good air, lots of natural light, comfortable spaces for rest, spots for exercise or quiet, and a calm layout.
Why Wellness Is at the Heart of Home Design
We spend a large part of our lives at home. If our homes are stressful, dark, or poorly ventilated, that can hurt our health. Designers now realise that homes can either support health or work against it. More people want homes that feel like a safe retreat—where they can work, relax, play and rest—all under one roof. The idea of wellness real estate has grown: homes that promise more than size and finishes—they promise a healthier life.
Key Wellness‑Design Elements Throughout the Home
Here are some of the key wellness elements that show up in homes designed with health in mind:
- Natural light: Sunlight helps our mood, keeps our internal clocks (circadian rhythms) in check, and makes spaces feel alive. Designers use big windows, skylights or reflective surfaces to bring in more daylight.
- Air quality and ventilation: Clean air is vital. Fresh airflow, fewer toxins (like from paints or materials), and plants all help make a healthier indoor environment.
- Water quality: Good water systems and thoughtful design around how water is used (for drinking, cooking, bathing) support health.
- Natural materials & biophilic design: Using wood, stone, plants, and nature‑inspired textures connects us to nature, which lowers stress and lifts mood.
- Spaces for rest and movement: Homes now often include zones dedicated to relaxation (a reading nook) or movement (a small wellness corner). Having places to pause helps both body and mind.
- Smart layout & lighting: Thoughtful lighting (warm at night, bright in the day), quieter rooms, fewer distractions—all contribute to a home that supports wellness.
Spotlight on Two Wellness Spaces: Saunas & Reading Nooks
Sauna Space
One of the most striking wellness features in homes is the addition of an indoor sauna or heat‑therapy room. Why is it becoming popular? Because it blends relaxation, heat therapy and private wellness in one space. A well‑designed sauna gives homeowners a retreat inside their home—a place to unwind, support circulation, ease muscle tension, or simply step away from daily stress. Integrating it means choosing suitable materials (e.g., wood that withstands heat), ensuring safe ventilation, and placing it where noise or heat won’t interfere with the rest of the home.
Reading Nook & Quiet Retreat
On the other end of the scale is the reading nook—a small, quiet corner designed for calm. It could be a window seat, a cosy chair with a view, or a tucked‑away space with soft lighting and gentle materials. The point is to create a dedicated “pause” zone in the home—somewhere you can disconnect, reflect, read a book or just rest. These kinds of wellness spaces are important because they support mental and emotional health: reducing stress, improving focus, and giving the brain time to recharge.
Biophilic Design: Bringing Nature Into the Home
One major trend in wellness and home design is biophilic design—that means designing spaces that reflect nature and our connection to it. Using house‑plants, natural textures, stone surfaces, wood, and views of green spaces are all part of it. Why does it matter? Because research shows being closer to nature helps reduce stress, improves mood, and makes people feel more comfortable. When a home includes nature‑inspired features, it becomes a place that supports calm and health—not just shelter.
Smart Design Technology & Wellness
In wellness‑focused homes, technology plays a supportive role. Smart lighting systems might shift colour and brightness through the day to match your natural rhythm. Air monitoring and filtration systems help keep indoor air clean. Water systems might ensure you have high‑quality drinking water. The idea is: technology used thoughtfully so that your home quietly supports physical and mental health. It’s not about flashy gadgets—it’s about integrated features that aid well‑being.
Sustainability and Wellness Go Hand in Hand
When we design homes for wellness, we also often think of sustainability. Using eco‑friendly materials, energy‑efficient systems, and designs that reduce waste all support both the planet and our health. For example, materials that don’t emit harmful compounds (low VOCs) are better for air quality. Energy‑efficient design reduces costs and environmental impact. In short, a health‑conscious home considers not just how we live now, but how we live in the future, too.
Wellness‑Focused Homes and Real Estate Value
Homes that include wellness features are becoming more sought after in real estate. Buyers now look for wellness real estate—homes that offer more than just a location and size. They seek homes that support their health, comfort and lifestyle. A well‑designed wellness home can increase perceived value, improve market differentiation, and attract buyers who care about long‑term health and comfort. For homeowners, adding wellness‑features can be a smart investment in both life quality and property value.
How to Design a Home with Wellness in Mind
If you’re a homeowner or planning a renovation, here are steps to bring wellness into your home:
- Start by thinking: “What do I need to support my health and calm?” Is it more natural light? A quiet corner? Good air?
- Clear clutter and organise storage— a simpler environment helps your mind to relax.
- Assess light and airflow—can you add more daylight? Can windows open for fresh air? Can lighting be adjusted so it’s warm at night?
- Choose natural materials and plants—even small changes like adding a few plants or wooden furniture help.
- Dedicate one wellness space—maybe a reading nook or relaxation corner or sauna zone— a place you retreat to.
- Think of small tech upgrades that support wellness—better airflow, water quality, lighting tailored to your rhythm.
- Make it personal—your home should reflect what relaxes you. A reading nook for a book‑lover, a quiet meditation corner for someone who needs calm, a sauna for someone who enjoys heat and relaxation.
- Over time, evolve—wellness design isn’t a one‑time project. You can keep refining rooms and features as lifestyle, family or preferences change.
Conclusion
The rise of wellness features in the home marks a major shift in how we think about living spaces. No longer is a home just a place to sleep and eat. It’s a place where we restore, recharge, move, think and be. From the immersive calm of a sauna to the quiet comfort of a reading nook, home design is becoming more about health and happiness. Whether you are buying a new home or redesigning your current one, thinking about home wellness, wellness spaces, and the full‑spectrum of physical and mental health can help you create a home that truly supports you. In the world of wellness real estate and well‑being at home, this is a trend that’s here to stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wellness-focused home?
A wellness-focused home is a house made to help you feel healthy and calm. It has fresh air, natural light, safe materials, and peaceful spaces like saunas or reading spots.
How can I make my home feel more wellness-focused?
You can add plants, use soft lights, open windows for fresh air, and make a quiet corner to relax or read. Keeping your space clean and simple also helps your mind feel better.
Do I need a lot of money to have a wellness home?
No, you don’t. You can start with small changes like using natural things, clearing clutter, and adding soft lighting. Wellness design works for all kinds of homes.
Why does nature in the home help with wellness?
Being around nature makes people feel calmer and happier. Adding plants, wood, and sunlight in your home brings in those good feelings.
Can wellness features make my home worth more?
Yes. More people want homes that support health. Features like clean air, natural light, and relaxing spaces can make your home more valuable and easier to sell.