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How Custom Home Design Decisions Can Help Reduce Stress

July 7th, 2022

By Francisca Alonso

2 min read

White Kitchen Open Concept Modern Style Custom Home by AV Architects and Builders in McLean Northern Virginia

Home design is an art of balance and designing a home to reduce stress is very important.  We spend more time at home than ever so your home should be your sanctuary and not just a roof over your head.  Your home should feel like a retreat that invigorates and inspires you instead of draining you.  Here are some do’s and don’ts that can help achieve that goal.

You should not have “museum” rooms…. spaces that collect dust.  Every space in your home should have a purpose and designed so that if the purpose changes over time so can the space.  Small children, college age children, adult children, grandchildren, NO children, many guests, or parents who move in.  Good design will allow for all scenarios to occur naturally over time.

Rooms should also be sized correctly.  Rooms should not be too small otherwise they will not be used.  Spaces should also have enough storage areas to make them useful and be clutter/stress free.  Storage solutions aid in stress management.

Another design element is indoor and outdoor transitions.  We spend 90% of our day indoors so brining the outdoors in is very important.  Homes should have various transition points such as a large deck or patio off of the great room.  Large windows that bring in natural light feed the soul.  Natural lighting has many benefits like providing Vitamin D which helps your immune system function properly and natural light reduces feelings associated with depression.  For example, in our homes we incorporate large decks, patios and porches off the great room.  We use beautiful large multi-slide doors that open walls to bring the outdoors and fresh air in.

Other designs we incorporate are to build patios off your workout space which we also like to build on the main level if possible.  Your home gym will not inspire you to get healthy if it is tucked away in a dark basement. While exercising you should be looking outside through a huge window or sliding door at your beautiful landscaping, not a wall.

And lastly, we love balconies off of our master suites which we also love on the main level.  The “sitting-room” trend of 30 years ago is passe.  Why not have that sitting room space outside of the master suite?  Sunrise with your morning coffee?

Our goal with the way we design our homes is to reduce that 90% of time spent indoors by incorporating the elements described above.

People often forget that a home should be a sacred space that can serve as an oasis from the stressors of everyday life where you can relax and recharge.

At AV Architects + Builders, we believe in Vacation Style Living™ – our unique design philosophy that encourages health, wellness, and happiness every day.  Contact us to learn how we can build your home retreat.

 

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