Best Healthy Home Upgrades for 2023
Looking to make home improvements that make a positive impact on your well-being? Forget the usual ROI conversation and consider the five facets of wellness design: health and fitness, safety and security, accessibility, functionality, and comfort and joy. After all, a healthy home means a happy you. And with wellness becoming a top priority for homebuyers, these upgrades could also boost the market value of your home. Discover how you can clean faster, cook smarter, and rest easier with these simple renovations!
1) Technology
Are you curious about how technology can improve your indoor wellness? From air and water quality to lighting and acoustics, these topics are growing in popularity. In fact, the pandemic has only heightened interest in this area. The need for healthy indoor air became urgent during Covid, and wildfires have only added to those concerns.
While portable air purifiers have become all the rage, many homeowners are unaware that their whole home can have pure air with specialized filtration systems. And did you know that whole-home installation can be done by home technology integrators? A good system not only improves air quality, but it can also make your home safer.
Real-time water quality monitoring is not yet as advanced, but adding water filtration to a smart home system can ensure extensive testing to find the right solution for your specific needs. Don't let air and water quality go unnoticed - consider technological solutions for improving your home's wellness.
2) Materials
Discovering safe and healthy home products can be difficult due to the conflicting nature of wellness and chemical exposure. Chemicals intended to improve product flexibility, weight, and durability can have damaging side effects to our health, including cancer, fertility issues, hormonal disorders, thyroid problems, and high cholesterol.
Take, for example, countertops. Consider porcelain slabs without lead or asbestos, or natural materials such as wood and granite. But be cautious of luxury vinyl tile flooring, as it releases toxic dioxins during manufacturing and contains endocrine disruptors that can contribute to cancer and other issues. Instead, opt for healthier options like linoleum, cork, natural rubber, or bio-based materials. Floating engineered hardwoods, ceramic tiles without heavy metal glazes, linoleum, and polished concrete with a nontoxic finish also make great flooring options.
When selecting cabinetry, steer clear of carcinogenic urea formaldehyde. Look for products with NAUF, which reduces the use of urea formaldehyde, and cabinets with nontoxic finishes. Protect yourself and your loved ones by choosing safer alternatives when furnishing your home.
3) Appliances
Discover the latest appliance technology trend: wellness-focused features. From steam ovens for easy healthy meal prep to dishwashers that eliminate 99.999% of food bacteria, these appliances are becoming more sophisticated than ever before.
But that's not all - indoor plant growers and herb growing cabinets are capturing homeowners' imaginations, offering fresh flavors and nutrition. And for those with busy lives, clothing refreshers offer convenience for delicates and bedding sanitization between guests or children’s stuffed animals! These cutting-edge appliances will give you the ultimate experience in convenience and healthy living.
4) Fixtures & faucets
Upgrade your home fixtures and faucets for a healthier and more relaxing lifestyle. The demand for “wetrooms” is booming, offering an open and spacious atmosphere that keeps germs from hiding in hard-to-reach places and makes cleaning easy.
Not only do touchless faucets provide convenience and ease, but they can also limit exposure to dirt and bacteria. Enjoy the latest in water filtration systems and steam showers, ensuring clean and desirable drinking water and aromatherapy benefits for respiratory conditions and muscle tension.
5) Lighting
The pandemic has had an impact on the world of lighting, but homeowners have innovative options to keep their homes healthy and comfortable. For instance, a ceiling fan equipped with ultraviolet technology has been independently tested to kill airborne pathogens while neutralizing allergens, odors, and fumes. Additionally, lighted exhaust fans effectively remove moisture and odors to prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, and fungi in humidity-prone environments such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Another exciting option is chromotherapy lighting, which uses different shades of blue and purple to create a calming environment that promotes relaxation and healing. Try it in your primary bathroom and see how it can reduce stress and anxiety while you cleanse yourself or enjoy a warm bath or shower.
You don't need to be a billionaire to make healthier home changes! Affordability varies depending on budget and region, but with some creativity and practice changes, you can make sustainable home improvements without breaking the bank. Consider a simpler material palette to save on cost and look for strategic choices like a one-coat paint and primer combo to reduce labor expenses. Working with a wellness designer who specializes in healthy products and offers flexible pricing can also save you money.
