Wellness
"6. Leisure Spaces Many emerging trends fit neatly into a broader category of comfort and relaxation. So perhaps it’s not surprising that interest in creating leisure spaces is becoming more popular. Searches for “listening room” are up 107%, as are searches for “living room piano,” up 39%. This Overland Park, Kansas, living room by Stephanie Stroud Interiors highlights the growing trend. The homeowners and their two young kids enjoy playing and listening to music, so Stroud designed this living area as a dedicated music room. Dark green walls (Jasper by Sherwin-Williams) with applied molding create a moody and intimate vibe, another emerging trend. Pink chairs and vibrant artwork add a playful touch."
"5. Wellness Features As we noted earlier this year, health and wellness features are becoming increasingly popular in home design, especially for bathrooms. Recent Houzz search data bolsters this trend. Searches for “cold plunge,” like the one seen here in a Boston basement by Sam Kachmar Architects, jumped 74%. The homeowners also have a backyard sauna, a search term up 30% year over year."
"Savor and Relax Imagine doing a few gentle stretches or yoga poses before bed, lighting a scented candle and sipping some chamomile tea while you write in your journal. There are no to-do lists or pinging phones vying for your attention. You can simply be. Imagine how easy it would be to gradually unwind, release the tension of your day and ease into a restful, deep, restorative sleep in a space free of clutter and distractions. Once the busyness of the day is done, make time to simply relax in your newly cleared space."
"After: Claiming that closet and moving the door enabled Schmidt to install a 36¼-by-51½-inch Japanese soaking tub, called an ofuro, on a slightly elevated tile platform with a bench step next to it. Schmidt installed extra blocking so grab bars could be added easily at a later date. Next to the tub is a showering area that’s also tiled below its teak slat floor, which can be lifted for cleaning. The shower and bath are together behind glass panels — a wet room design that works well when space is too tight for a tub and a separate shower stall, Schmidt says. The natural slate floor is heated underneath, and the bathroom isn’t particularly large, so draftiness (often a concern when it comes to wet rooms) isn’t a problem here, she says. Around the perimeter of the ceiling, LED lighting on a dimmer softly illuminates the room. Tub: True Ofuro soaker in matte black, Aquatica; accessories, tub filler, hand shower and tub-shower trim: Purist collection in Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass, Kohler; floor tile: 12-by-12-inch slate in Brazil Black, Daltile"
"A desire for a space to play leisurely games in is also expanding. Searches for “game room” are up 16%. This Phoenix game room includes a lounge area, a shuffleboard table and a wall-mounted Scrabble board. You’ll also notice that the room embraces an organic modern style with curved forms and natural tones and materials."
Q