Creating an Oasis: Well-Being Starts at Home January 10, 2023 For many, home is a refuge. Within its walls, we feel safe, comfortable, calm, and well. As our homes evolve to serve additional functions, such as office and classroom, preserving the feeling of sound mind and body has become more important than ever. Wellness-focused design isn't new, but in 2023, it's taking center stage. From nature-inspired elements to therapeutic lighting, sustainable materials, improved air quality, and neutral color palettes – this year's home design trends won't just make you look; they'll make you feel. Whether you're building new or making plans to remodel, consider the many ways you can transform your home into a haven. Think Green The long Wisconsin winter may have rendered your outdoor living space unusable for the time being, but that doesn't mean you can't bring the outside in. One of the simplest – and most eco-friendly – options for enhancing the natural beauty of a room is to start from the ground up. Instead of carpeting, consider hardwood or tile flooring. In addition to its elegant appearance, it's easier to clean and maintain, and often lasts at least 10 times longer than traditional carpeting. Complete the look of your room with neutral color palettes (such as whites, soft greens, and blues), and enhance the environment with greenery, one-of-a-kind restored furniture, and sustainable fabrics like wool, cotton, and linen. Let There Be Light Light is a well-known energy source for all of us, particularly in the cloudy winter months. It's essential for regulating our wakefulness and sleep cycles and has proven therapeutic qualities. In other words, you're bound to notice if your home needs to bring in more natural light. So, what can you do to lighten up your living space? Quite a bit, actually. If you can support the investment, a sunroom is a great way to enjoy natural light and a great view of the outdoors in a climate-controlled space. Other attractive options include installing floor-to-ceiling windows, adjustable LED lighting throughout the home, and wider-than-average hallways that "borrow" light from adjoining rooms. Restore Calm While elements that foster wellness should be incorporated throughout the home, consider making it the primary focus of at least one space. Having a dedicated "sanctuary" for relaxation and introspection can be essential for achieving balance, especially if your home doubles as your workplace. Ideally, your relaxation space will align with your specific interests – a music room for the music lover, a library for the book lover, or a massage room for those who embrace alternative healing. However, the most universally pleasing choice has been creating a spa-like retreat in the master bathroom, complete with an elegant, freestanding tub, heated floors, multiple showerheads, and aesthetically pleasing plumbing fixtures. Don't forget to add a cozy rug, warm lighting, and scented candles for good measure. Create Your Wellness Plan The beauty of wellness-focused design is that it can be executed in both big and small ways. In other words, you can create an oasis that fits within your budget. As a first step, we encourage you to tour the Parade of Homes and view many of the above-mentioned design elements in person. This experience will give you a better sense of which features your current or future home can accommodate. If a remodel is in your future, consider one of Community First Credit Union's many financing options, including a home equity line of credit (HELOC) loan with access to funds for up to ten years, home equity fixed-rate loan with a locked-in rate, or our Homeowners Xpress Loan for access to the cash you need right away. Or, if achieving your wellness goals means building, we can help with a one-step construction loan. Whether it's a touch of nature or a luxury spa calling your name, may your 2023 home plans leave you feeling well.