The home is the centre of life. It’s the place you eat, sleep, rest, enjoy leisure time and make memories with loved ones. So it’s not surprising that cramped, dark and cluttered homes can have such a detrimental effect on mental wellbeing.
If your dream is to design a restful home that soothes your mind after a hard day at work, there are some key design tips to follow...
Natural light has a whole host of wellbeing benefits, including regulating our sleep-wake cycle, supporting the absorption of vitamin D, and boosting our mood. Choosing the right size and position of windows is the architectural solution to bringing more natural light into your home.
Large windows bring in lots of mood-boosting light – and beautiful views too. Position them in the rooms you most frequently occupy to receive their benefits all day long.
Countless studies have shown the benefits of so-called ‘biophilic design’ on productivity and recovery. This type of design centres on the human need to connect with other forms of natural life – from plants to animals.
You can incorporate biophilic design into your home through utilising natural materials, including stone walls, clay plaster and tiles, and slate roofing and siding. Wide patio doors, balconies and roof-gardens can also help bring more of the outdoors to your home.
Cluttered and cramped spaces can contribute to poor mental health. Research has shown that people in cluttered homes have decreased satisfaction with life, for example. As well as making an effort to keep your home neat and tidy day to day, there are a few design tips that can help you reduce the levels of perceived crowding.
Naturally, large, open-plan spaces will have that effect. Rather than splitting your home into different areas, allow the plan to flow from living space to dining space to kitchen and so on. Interestingly, another feature that has been found to increase the impression of spaciousness is high ceilings. That’s particularly true for bedrooms, which – along with bathrooms and toilets – are one room that won’t benefit from an open plan approach.
One of the many joys of designing a home is that it can be purpose-built to your requirements. In other words, designed for exactly how you want to use it. If you’ve got wellbeing at the front of your mind, you can even include rooms specifically for improving it.
While the conventional home comprises rooms for living, dining, cooking and sleeping (along with bathrooms), you could also add in spaces specifically for relaxation. An obvious choice is a room for mindfulness and meditation, which can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
With lots of research suggesting that hobbies can lessen and even prevent depression too, you might also want to give yourself a space to get creative. Let’s not forget the importance of exercise for mental health – making a home gym another good idea for mental and physical wellbeing.
If you want to put wellbeing at the heart of your home, CODA Bespoke is on hand to help. Our team of architects in Sheffield is committed to turning your vision into a reality, whether it’s a luxury new build or bespoke extension.
If you’d like to talk more about your ideas, don’t hesitate to contact our team today. Or take a look at some of our previous projects for an idea what we do.
Turning your vision into a reality is no mean feat. That’s why, when choosing an architect, you want someone you can trust and depend on. In this post, we’ll discuss how to choose an architect for the best results on your project – breaking it down into four simple questions.
This might sound facetious, but architect isn’t a word that can be thrown about. While some companies might offer architectural services, the term architect is legally reserved for those who have the qualifications to match it.
All architects are registered with the Architects Registration Board. You can also look for membership with the Royal Institute of British Architects. This isn’t essential, but most architects join to show their continued adherence with up-to-date best practices.
It’s one thing having architectural knowledge, but has it been put into practice? Having years of experience in architecture shows that a company or contractor has mastered their craft.
It also gives you a better idea of the work they do. Experienced architects will have a portfolio of previous projects that you can look at and read about. Weigh up whether these projects are similar to what you’re looking for – not necessarily in the exact style, but the budget and project type.
If you’re looking for an architect for a luxury new-build home, for example, someone who works solely on commercial projects probably isn’t for you.
Location should never be a standalone factor in which architect you choose for your project. However, there’s a lot to be said for having an architect that’s based nearby.
Firstly, they’re only ever a few minutes away for face-to-face meetings or site visits. They also have a wealth of knowledge about local planning laws and regulations. That’s all topped off with a network of trusted local contacts, from contractors to suppliers, that could help with your project.
As an added bonus, some of their previous work will likely be nearby too, so you can even have a look at the buildings in person if you’d prefer (just make sure you don’t worry whoever’s living there).
As well as experience, expertise and location, it’s worth digging a little deeper into the core values of potential candidates. After all, this will have a huge impact on the process and end results of your project.
Some architects will be focused on putting their own spin on things. They’re hired by people who want projects taking off their hands, typically for commercial purposes.
Others will be dedicated to your vision and how it can be brought to life. Traditional or innovative, understated or bold – the choice is yours.
If you want an architect that puts your ideas at the very heart of the design process, CODA Bespoke is ready and waiting. We specialise in life-changing, bespoke, luxury homes across the UK, including new-builds, residential developments, extensions and renovations.
With over 40 years’ collective experience, RIBA accreditation and a long list of awards and nominations, you can trust our local team to turn your vision into a reality – and ensure the entire process runs smoothly. Get in touch with us today to get started.