‘Wellness rooms’ are claiming space in many homes

By KIM COOK for Associated Press Our homes have been multitasking for a while now They may be where we work they are certainly where we play and in in the modern day s stress-filled world they re often the place where we feel the greater part at peace Spurred by the pandemic dens became offices extra bedrooms became workout zones dining rooms morphed into multifunctional creative spaces Often we re seeing rooms transformed into sanctuaries of self-care welcome to the wellness room Small sophisticated home gyms music rooms meditation rooms and Zen gardens are specific of the wellness spaces we ve designed not long ago says designer Gonzalo Bueno who owns the firm Ten Plus Three in Dallas Spaces for wellness retreat and recharging are all really popular right now Bueno and his unit combined several of these ideas in a home renovation in Austin Texas There is an outdoor Zen garden flanked indoors by a meditation room on one side and the soaking tub of the primary bath on the other with both facing a serene green space Holistic high and low tech Soundbathing where you immerse yourself in soothing instrumental and natural sounds has become popular at plenty of professional spas Now companies are making versions for the home or you can set one up yourself Create a low-tech soundbathing studio with various comfy pillows yoga mats essential oil scent and dimmed lights or candles and then either play or use recorded sounds of chimes crooning bowls and gongs You can find links to meditation sounds online This photo provided by Ten Plus Three shows a meditation room created during a home renovation in Austin Ten Plus Three via AP There are full-size beds available that use low frequency sound and vibrations or you can find cushion-y mats with specific of the same features far less costly Traditional saunas use steam but infrared light saunas are an easier-to-install alternative for indoors Several makers offer single two-or three-person versions made of wood or just an insulated fabric Fancy ones come equipped with Bluetooth audio and color-changing lights If you really want to splash out on an in-house multi-sensory luxury experience there are shower units integrating tech into customizable water steam lighting and music This photo provided by Thermasol shows a Total Wellness Package Steam Shower Thermasol via AP Quiet and maybe deep Jack Ovadia whose eponymous design firm is based in New York created a one-person onsen the Japanese deep-soak-style tub for a Phoenix client The cocoon-like space has a contemplative wall of terrazzo pebbles and a pretty petal-bedecked chandelier above This photo provided by Ovadia Design Group shows a primary bath with an Onsen tub in Phoenix Ovadia Design Group via AP But he also is doing wellness rooms that can multi-serve with a sauna and then an invigorating cold plunge tub In his own home he has an area to practice yoga and Pilates Having a private space is essential Ovadia says A wellness room should be a space where the outside world dissolves no background noise no movement beyond your own This is where you go to let go to drop into something quieter something deeper Celebrating creativity solo or with your peeps Your ideal wellness room might be a little more energetic than the serene spa-like versions We re designing more music rooms Bueno says which isn t surprising since music is so healing He notes how much fun it is to work with clients who have a passion art yoga music or entertaining and design spaces to help bring that passion home Up-to-date clients had an extensive vinyl collection he says Others have desired a room to enjoy music during large family gatherings Materials and accessories to set the mood Make sure the size of the space suits your activity and you use materials to set the tone Bring in warmth and a sense of calm with things like natural tan oak cork bamboo neutral tones and organic textures Ovadia says Related Articles Cooking with kids teaches healthy eating life skills and more Shucked co-creator Clark brings corn to Broadway Shucked co-creator Clark brings corn to Broadway Dear Abby Falling for men who are bad with money For romance novelist Abby Jimenez it s one happy ending after another Small table lights can be set on a timer to play calming nature sounds Particular offer a soft amber glow or an array of soothing day-to-evening hues Invest in a comfy sectional if you have space or look for flop-worthy giant beanbags and squooshy oversize chairs If it s an energy-filled space you re after Bueno has particular suggestions for lighting that kicks things up a little or a lot We did a home gym with red accents to bring in passion and motivating vigor he says Engaging art can add to that vibe Bueno mounted a clubby neon work in a large music family room that says This Must Be the Place In the red gym hangs a contemporary piece that reads Keep On Keeping On And for the quiet well room Dreamy nature photographs prints or mural wallpaper would be the chef s kiss If you don t have room for a wellness room Nowhere to stake out a wellness room in your own place You might have something similar in your hometown Citizens wellness spaces are becoming places to jive and gather as well So-called social spas offering traditional spa services as well as group hangout spaces and social pursuits are popping up around the U S It s the new nightclub Ovadia says Self-care is evolving into a shared experience becoming a prominent scene rather than just a side routine New York-based writer Kim Cook covers design and decor topics regularly for The Associated Press Follow her on Instagram at kimcookhome