You may not lose nearly a hundred pounds, as author Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC did, but you’ll learn a lot about health in her new book Wellness by Design. Nor do you need to complete a half-marathon Trifecta or summit Mount Whitney to discover the “five facets of wellness design.” You may enjoy her suggestions to add a sauna or steam bath to your home whether you’re an exercise aficionado or not. And having the five facets of wellness design distributed throughout the book lends a multi-layered approach to the book as a whole. Not only are the ideas life-enhancing, but they can save you time, too.

Wellness Tips Are for Everyone

Since not everyone owns their own home, the Wellness Tips will surely be appreciated by nearly everyone. There are tips for home owners and renters alike. For example, both home owners and renters can use an anti-fatigue mat in the kitchen to protect against sore knees or joints. And rugs can be added, along with anti-slip backing, to protect everyone against slips and falls.

Ideas for Homeowners Abound

Many of the ideas in the book are more suited for homeowners. For instance, choosing materials for flooring is more likely something a homeowner would be able to do. Most renters would not want to–or be allowed to–change the flooring in their home. That said, there are useful tips here for both homeowners and future homeowners. Did you know that the U.S., Spain and Italy have certification standards against lead glaze content in tile? Or that porcelain tile is well suited over radiant heating floors? Or that not all bamboo flooring is created equally? This reader certainly didn’t!

Covid-19 and Different Surfaces

In the age of Covid-19, many of the ideas in this book are very useful. Metal for cabinetry and countertops are ideal for hygienic purposes. Copper is easy to maintain and has anti-bacterial properties. Solid surfaces (man-made surfaces) are also easy to keep clean and maintain. Cork flooring is useful for standing and is hypoallergenic, but needs to be maintained. Engineered stone can also be useful and there is no need to seal it–so it’s easier to maintain than surfaces such as granite.

You Light up My Life

Who isn’t influenced by lighting? Have you considered adding security lighting to your entrances? This is a very good idea, not just for security, but to prevent falling. You can also use security lighting when you’re away from home to help prevent burglars from gaining access. Another, more advanced feature is the use of smart home lighting. For example, you can use a keyword to change the lighting in your home. Words such as TV, Relax, or Bedtime can be employed. You can also use one keyword to program multiple settings. Although if you’re someone who’s always telling others to relax, you might want to pick a different word.

Advanced Smart Floor Settings for Seniors

One excellent tip is this: sensors in smart flooring can alert caregivers if someone has fallen! This allows people to stay independent while others can check in if there’s a problem. And these types of features are becoming easier and easier to use, so that users don’t need advanced degrees to program them.

The Great Outdoors

There are quite a few ideas about using outdoor spaces. One up-and-coming idea is the use of greenwalls. They can improve air quality, act as sound barriers, and even include herbs. Situating a green wall near an outdoor kitchen is an easy and fun way to enhance outdoor meals. They also look terrific while improving the asthetics of your home.

Kitchens as the Heart of the Home

Gold talks a lot about organizing and zones in the kitchen. It’s true that without having a home for everything, you’ll not only be disorganized but waste a lot of time that you could otherwise spend outdoors getting fit or just forest bathing. She mentions being careful of the outgassing in cheap imported furniture. And low-maintenance surfaces are also big time savers. Small appliance that are worthwhile considering are the slow cooker and multicooker. These have become very popular recently.

Working from Home

Many of us either already worked from home or were forced to work from home, so this chapter is an important one. We spend hours on computers so making sure our seating and screens are ergonomic are critical so we don’t get injured. It’s also important that the air is fresh and the lighting illuminates your work area properly. I liked all the ideas about using a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse so that all of it can be ergonomic.

Fitness Spaces

While the rest of the book has wonderful advice, Gold’s advice on fitness spaces is clearly taken from personal experience. You might not have thought about the clearance around a piece of fitness equipment. And what if someone falls off a piece of gear and crashes through a window? By the way, window film can help hold a window together in case of someone crashing. See this article about security window film. Have you considered having slip-resistant mats in place or having a place for your water bottles or smart phones? Also, the type of flooring is critical to understand before you haul in a humongous piece of equipment into your home. And if you’re incorporating weight training into your routine, you probably want a good mirror so you can check your form.

Exercise is Not Optional

One of the most important ideas in the book (maybe the most important!) is this:

“It is a mistake to think of exercise as an optional part of your week. It is as important for good health as brushing your teeth, showering, and getting a good night’s rest.”
~ Forrest Talley, PhD, psychologist, Folsom, California. 

Future Planning

A great wellness strategy is to plan for your home to be as accessible to anyone visiting your home as possible. This could mean a child or a senior, or YOU! Since you never know when or if you might become disabled yourself (even temporarily after a sporting event). An elevator could be very handy for anyone with problems climbing stairs. Rounded corners on tables, back support and cushions on chairs, are both easy changes that can help toddlers and seniors. And anything that helps your senior guests prevent falls will make your home more inviting for dinner parties and game nights. (Personally, I’ll be buying some rug grippers very soon.)

Good Reminders throughout

While much of the material in this book is not new, the ideas serve as good reminders. For instance, the importance of good, restful sleep (and how to get it) is critical. Blackout panels for windows, for instance, can be used to block out light. And reducing blue light is another good reminder. White-noise machines are useful to cover up noises coming from outside that you can’t eliminate. And if you’re considering organic bedding, don’t forget that you can take it with you if you’re renting.

Master Bathroom Features

There are some ideas you probably didn’t think about, and some that are nice to have if you’re going to be remodeling a master bathroom. For example, customized vanity areas can be very handy and time-saving, too. A handheld showerhead lets you take aim at sore muscles, and can be taken with you if you’re renting. Be aware that “trophy tubs” may be risky for those with balance issues–and that could be you after a sporting event! Staying clean is always an important consideration. A bench in the shower or tub is a good choise, and a linear drain can eliminate a trip hazard. Bidets have become more popular and are good for people of all ages. Some models are easy to install and becoming more popular in the United States.

Healthier Bathrooms

Ventilation for healthy air and filtration for healthier water are both important features to have. A good feature in this section is the discussion of all the choices in LED bulbs. Who knew there were so many? And speaking of the who-knew department, who knew there were self-cleaning toilets? Why doesn’t everyone have one?! Many choices in bathroom materials can save you time in the long run, though it might not have occurred to you. For instance, thinner grout lines equal less cleaning equal more time for you to go outside! Brilliant! Other choices for luxurious bathrooms include saunas, towel warmers, and digital showers. If you’re looking for a healthier bathroom, the addition of window film to any bathroom prevents UV light, which causes cancer, as well as provides privacy. See our article How to Use Windows to Protect Your Privacy.

Saunas

One item that might be called out is hot (or dry) saunas. These are good for sweating out toxins. Maybe a good choice for the possibly smokier environment we’ve all been having as of late. With the wildfires we’ve been experiencing on the west coast, we may need to customize our bathrooms for what is happening in the environment–or what may happen in the near future, unfortunately.

Kids Bedrooms

The choice of good quality paint that doesn’t offgas is more important than color for kids rooms in particular. There are all sorts of chemicals that can cause damage to developing children. Flooring, paint, glues, and other pollutants can all affect kids and adults. Safe flooring is another important consideration, as many carpets can off-gas into the room. Having an air purifier is a good idea, as is a carbon monoxide detector and ceiling fan. I like the idea of personalizing for kids with their favorite colors.

Kids Bathrooms

Many kids share bathrooms, but there are some ways to avoid sharing germs. Cold and flu germs spread easily, so having hands-free faucets, touch-free light switches, and hands-free flushing for toilets can help minimize the sharing of germs. Also some tubs now include digital temperature displays–scalding water is a very real concern. As in the bedrooms, you can personalize bathrooms by using different colors or patterns for each kid. Also: if your child’s bathroom has a window, you can use window film (yes, this is our favorite!) to block the view.

Guest Bedrooms

You’ve heard before that it’s a good idea to sleep in your own guest bedroom to make sure it’s comfortable. You can also ask your guest what would make their stay more comfortable. (Mint on the pillow? Better bedding? A nightstand with a lamp? And if you have the space available, a kitchenette is a valuable and appreciated addition so your guest can make some coffee or have a snack.

Guest Bathrooms

Have you considered any of the following additions to your guest bathroom?

• Anti-scald shower sets
• NonSlip tile floors
• Vent fans
• Handheld showerheads

If not, and you’re in the planning stages, you might want to add them. Whether you’re planning to have long-term or short-term visitors, the above additions make life easier for your guests.

Long-Term Visitors

Long-term visitors probably have more needs and may also have mobility challenges. Shower benches, grab bars, and contrasting colors for visibility all make their stay much more comfortable and safe.

Short-Term Visitors

For those staying a day or two, hooks, step stools, healthy soaps and shampoos and toothbrushes or floss can make your place healthier and accessible.

Laundry Rooms

Gone are the days when laundry rooms are located in dark, frightening garages or basements. These days, laundry rooms may include pet zones, crafting areas, and space for hobbies. Energy Star appliance can save you money on your utility bills. And there are steam settings available on those newer washers. There are also refreshers to remove odors or allergens. In light of the recent fires on the west coast, a refresher might be even more valuable! You can make the chore of doing laundry more fun with good lighting, posters or wall art, or a smart speaker for your favorite tunes.

Plan around Your Sports

If you are a scuba diver, you’ll need a good place for all that gear. Some sports require more space than others. Some are seasonal, so you can store that gear in an out-of-the-way spot during the off season. If you’re looking for ways to store your sports equipment, Rev-A-Shelf has some fantastic choices.

Garages

Before you do anything, it’s a good idea to rid your garage of clutter! If you’re using your garage to work out, you’ll need more space and maybe even air conditioning to make the space comfortable. And make sure your sports gear is safely stowed.

Security

Consider the security in your garage. There are loads of ways to make your garage more secure: deadbolts, automatic garage door openers (that can automatically close as well), motion sensor lights, and cameras with night vision. You don’t want you precious sports gear to walk away, after all.