There is nothing quite like when you walk into your home after a trip away and smell the familiar smells, hear the sounds only your home makes, and feel that feeling unique to you as you step into your space. Lived in, loved, and full of life, our homes are an extension of our lives. Will our space overwhelm us with piles of laundry, a messy kitchen, and stacks of paperwork cluttering the counters? Will our space bring a sense of peace and calm as we look around and see and feel a sense of order? How we feel when we walk into our space will differ from how others perceive it, which is important to remember when looking at what surrounds you. For instance, I recently returned from a trip where the rental house was painted a crisp and clean white from floor to ceiling. The decorations and brightness of the space tied into the beachy surroundings made me feel instantly lighter than I would have if the walls had been painted a dark color. The lightness and peace you would expect and hope to feel on a beach vacation were brought through the space by design. If visiting a mountain and ski town during winter, I would crave a dark and moody space full of wood tones and soft textures. This would help me, as a guest, feel warm and safe. So, the question is, how does your personal space make you feel? Is your home helping or harming your health?

Bringing sunlight into your space can have major benefits to our health. When planning a major home renovation, consider how sunlight can be just as important as colors or aesthetics. I can go on for days about why seeing and feeling the sun is so beneficial to our bodies, but as Americans, we spend most of our time indoors. Not only does this affect our moods, but it can harm our circadian rhythm since we live and work under artificial light. So, how do we bring the outdoors in? An easy and budget-friendly way to get more sunlight without breaking down walls, adding windows or skylights, or moving rooms around is by playing with the light through accessories. Placing mirrors along hallways and on walls across from windows or doors allows the light rays to bounce around the home and visually create a brighter and seemingly larger space. In the last few years, we even saw disco balls being added to high-end homes as décor. This wasn’t because people loved throwing dance parties, but because of the way the light bounced around their space, instantly creating happiness and a playful energy throughout the home. Crystals are an easy accessory to add to plants or windows to give the same effect on a smaller scale. When considering paint colors, lighter shades allow more bounce from the sunlight, and keeping the ceiling white can help reflect the light. 

One rule I crave to follow as a designer and Certified Natural Health Professional is focusing on a sense of minimalism in my home. Living in a cluttered space can add to anxiety in our lives. It physically raises our cortisol and creates chaos inside us. When this happens, it can affect our mood, quality of sleep, and the overall wellness of our whole body and mind. Without physical space to move around, we may feel messy, unfocused, and stuck. For the past few years, I have done a full house cleaning before leaving on a family vacation and set everything in its place before taking off for our adventure. Knowing we would come home to a space free of piles and “to-do” lists helped my mental and emotional well-being in such a way that I could physically feel my body relax. With rest being a big part of why we vacation, this has been a very important thing I know my body and soul need. If you are living with chronic physical symptoms, having a respite when you walk into your home will offer more opportunities to focus on mindfulness and allow yourself to feel less tasked and busy so that you can focus on what really matters. Decluttering your existing space may affect not only your mental health but also your physical health. In doing so, reducing the dust settling in your home is an important factor in creating a positive environment for breathing. Breathwork is one of our biggest tools for our health, and it’s free, which is a big perk in the day of biohacking tools and expensive holistic treatments. 

Twenty years ago, our homes weren’t being compared to our neighbors like they are today. The comparison trap that Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok have fostered can affect our self-worth, which can become detrimental to our health. Keeping up with influencers who are always sharing the next trend or how they are making their home “better” can leave us feeling like our home isn’t good enough. Often, this pressure will lead to unnecessary renovation projects or the desire for “more” that will cause stress not only financially but also on our weary bodies and minds. The first question to ask yourself when wanting to upgrade your home in any way is, “Am I doing this for the right reason?”

As a designer, function is the most important factor to consider with clients. A space that brings chaos to the home should be highly considered for a change. For those who love to cook, a functional kitchen may help spark the desire to cook healthy meals more often, which can positively affect our health by allowing us to control what is in our food. Having a space for everything is another top goal for kitchen design. This can be created by adding the right internal components to the cabinetry. We see this often in Scandinavian design as the culture thrives on a minimalistic, “everything has a home” state of mind. Their culture has inspired Americans to utilize our space better and remove clutter on our countertops. Another consideration in kitchen design should be the materials that will function best and maintain over the years, such as countertops and backsplash. Consider using a non-porous material that allows easy cleaning and keeps any unsafe germs at bay.

If community and inviting others to share space in your home is your desire, this is another great reason for a room update. Whether that means creating more physical space to accommodate others or maybe it is as simple as providing more seating, the positive effects on our health will not go unnoticed. One of the main reasons we have clients updating their kitchens is because they are known as the “heart of the home.” Everyone typically ends up in the kitchen at parties or get-togethers because that is where the food is, which in turn means that is where the people are! Does your current space allow for this, or would there be a better way to lay out the space to accommodate this influx of people? Creating a space for community is a great consideration when looking at how to make your home have a more positive impact on your life and others.

Having a home that brings joy is truly what’s important. We have the power to create a space that will either help or harm our health. Whether your desire is for a minimal, white-walled, and simple-decorated home or one that is bustling with treasures from a life well-lived, creating a space that allows you to thrive is what matters. 

References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-relationship-realist/202409/clutter-cortisol-and-mental-load
 

About the Author

Dawn Bane is an interior designer with Spectrum Design Group in Champaign, Illinois, where she unites her passion for beautiful design with a deep commitment to health and wellness. Her journey began through her own experiences with chronic health challenges, which led her to explore how the spaces we inhabit can either hinder or support our healing.

Earning a certificate in Natural Health from Trinity School of Natural Health deepened Dawn’s understanding of the connection between environment, nutrition, and well-being. This knowledge now shapes her design philosophy—especially in the kitchen, where she believes true wellness begins. Dawn designs kitchens that inspire healthy, whole-food living—spaces that make it easy and enjoyable to prepare nourishing meals, gather as a family, and build daily habits that promote vitality and balance.

Her approach emphasizes natural materials, clean air, thoughtful lighting, and a sense of calm and connection in every space she creates. Living in the Midwest with her husband and their two boys, Dawn draws inspiration from family life and nature’s rhythms. Through both her personal health journey and her design work, she encourages others to view their homes not just as shelters, but as partners in their wellness journey.



This article was reviewed by Lauren Ameling, DC, BCND. Dr. Lauren Ameling is a 2006 graduate of Logan University, where she earned a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. She is a chiropractic physician certified in acupuncture and naturopathy, specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, pregnancy and pediatric care, and kinesiology. Dr. Ameling has worked in healthcare education since 2010 and serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Trinity School of Natural Health.