Wellness by design: Canadians are reimagining their homes with self care in mind

Since the pandemic, people are incorporating health and wellness in their homes like this residential gym and workout studio. Credit Alair Toronto, Janet Kwan Photography

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Carmelle Sly doesn’t just have a fire pit in her Edmonton backyard. She and her husband, Dan, have a fire cauldron. “It’s gigantic,” she admits. “But when that fire is roaring, we don’t feel like we’re in our backyard.”

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The Sly’s purposely designed their backyard to resemble a mountain retreat, planting as many Rocky Mountain species as possible. “Our backyard was built to be like a mountain oasis, with junipers, pussytoes and other native plants, so you feel like you’re in the middle of the forest even when you’re in the middle of the city,” she notes.

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The Slys aren’t alone in prioritizing wellness at home. Canadians are building self-care into every square foot of their homes and backyards. From cold plunge stations beside recovery rooms to sparkling water taps to spa-inspired bathrooms with steam showers and soaker tubs that rival luxury hotels, homeowners are finding creative ways to slow down, feel grounded and relish where they live.

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“When homeowners want to make an improvement in their space, it usually starts with a physical improvement, but when we peel back the layers and discuss why they want to make the change, health and well-being are often at the centre of it,” reveals Evelynn Ratcliffe, a partner at custom homebuilders and renovators Alair Homes.

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Want your home to feel like a wellness retreat without a full-scale gut job? Ratcliffe recommends upgrading your lighting. Smart lighting can match outdoor conditions, shifting throughout the day, so your eyes aren’t working overtime. Pair that with specialty shades that cut glare, and suddenly your space feels easier, lighter and works with your daily rhythm, not against it.

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Home dwellers can carve out ritual corners with a cosy chair and mood lighting, swap walls for glass to maximize views, or convert unused spaces into creative nooks that support hobbies. Here a light-filled home painting studio blends art and relaxation. Credit Alair Toronto, Kim Jeffery

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As for what delivers the best ROI, think high-ticket items that make real estate listings pop: cold plunges, saunas (infrared and traditional), home gyms and fireplaces. “People want that spa-like feeling in the privacy of their home,” says Ratcliffe. “In a shared space, you have access to all the equipment but also all the germs. In your home, you have control over those luxuries and can engage with them on your schedule.”

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The pandemic changed how Canadians think about their homes, particularly around the need for both togetherness and solitude.

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“The pendulum has landed in the middle, where you have open concept areas that are inviting for the whole family to spend time together, in addition to spaces where individuals can have their me time,” notes Ratcliffe.

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On a budget? Home dwellers can carve out ritual corners with a cosy chair and mood lighting, swap walls for glass to maximize views, or convert unused spaces into creative nooks that support hobbies. Outside, think infrared deck heaters, fire pits, and piles of blankets. Sly recommends adding inexpensive pops of colour with frost-resistant perennials like day lilies — small touches that deliver big wellness wins without the renovation price tag.