Wellness-Focused Home Design Gains Popularity

Architects and designers champion thoughtful designs that promote well-being and reduce stress.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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As the wellness industry continues to expand, architects and designers are increasingly incorporating biophilic and salutogenic design principles to create homes that support physical and psychological health. Experts say that by focusing on elements like natural lighting, natural materials, and acoustic softness, homes can become "responsive environments" that help occupants feel more rested, connected, and able to recover over time.

Why it matters

The shift towards wellness-focused home design is a response to growing concerns about stress, burnout, and the negative health impacts of modern lifestyles. Designers are recognizing that the built environment can have a significant influence on our nervous systems and overall well-being, beyond just adding wellness products or routines.

The details

Designers like Page Finlay and firms like Backen & Backen Architecture are championing design principles that promote "rest and digest" rather than "fight-or-flight" responses. This includes using natural materials, layered lighting, and acoustic softening to create calming, restorative spaces. The goal is to design homes that support both daily wellness and long-term well-being by addressing factors like light, sound, air quality, and the flow of daily tasks.

  • The wellness design trend has emerged in recent years as a response to growing concerns about stress and burnout.
  • Design Bay Area recently hosted a panel discussion on the topic of wellness-focused architecture.

The players

Page Finlay

Principal designer and owner of Page Finlay Design in St. Helena, who experienced burnout herself and now champions thoughtful home design that promotes rest and healing.

Backen & Backen Architecture

A well-respected architectural firm with an office in Sausalito, known for incorporating biophilic and salutogenic design principles to create environments that support physical and psychological health.

Carson Howell Costa

Backen & Backen's regenerative practices coordinator, who sees the wellness and well-being trends as shifts to mitigate stress, which is now recognized as a leading cause of illness and disease.

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What they’re saying

“Wellness, as it's often presented, has become about addition, adding routines, products or effort. But to me, wellness is about regulation. It's whether our nervous systems have the space to downshift.”

— Page Finlay, Principal Designer, Page Finlay Design (marinij.com)

“Stress is now recognized as one of the leading causes of illness and disease today. That's why wellness has become such a huge focus for our culture.”

— Carson Howell Costa, Regenerative Practices Coordinator, Backen & Backen Architecture (marinij.com)

What’s next

Designers and architects continue to explore ways to incorporate wellness-focused principles into home design, with a focus on creating environments that support physical and mental health.

The takeaway

The shift towards wellness-focused home design highlights the growing recognition that the built environment can have a significant impact on our overall well-being. By incorporating design elements that promote rest, relaxation, and connection, homes can become restorative spaces that help mitigate the negative effects of stress and support long-term health.