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As 2025 approaches, many people are re-evaluating their living spaces to align with wellness goals, recognizing that their environment can significantly impact their well-being. While getting organized is a common resolution, taking time to reconsider the design of your surroundings can nurture mental and physical health in surprising ways. A thoughtful, wellness-focused home can inspire calm, offer respite, and even improve daily energy levels—creating an environment that both soothes and uplifts.

For Olga Alexeeva, Creative Director of London-based interior design studio Black&Milk, wellness in interior design has evolved beyond trends and into necessity. She believes that a well-designed space should “foster a positive and nurturing environment,” where each element adds to a sense of well-being. Known for its cozy, luxurious interiors that seamlessly blend comfort and elegance, Black&Milk has recently focused on creating spaces where health and design meet. Here, they share insights into how to elevate your home with wellness in mind.

Embracing the Natural World

One growing trend in wellness-focused design is bringing the outdoors inside, creating a seamless flow between nature and the home. In a recent project, Black&Milk transformed a garden shed in Hampstead into a holistic sanctuary with a sauna, bucket shower, and plunge pool. Surrounded by woodlands, the structure harmonizes with its environment, making nature an integral part of the design.

The key to this immersive effect is thoughtful architectural and interior choices. The studio designed the space around existing trees, ensuring that the architecture blended organically into the landscape. Large windows and roof lights open up the cabin to the woodlands, creating a sensory experience that emphasizes tranquility. Traditional materials, like timber and glass, further connect occupants with nature while enhancing the room’s calming energy. With multifunctional elements, such as a retractable bed system, the garden retreat serves as both a guest house and a private hideaway, exemplifying the flexibility and harmony that wellness design can bring.

Designing with Feng Shui and Japandi Principles

Incorporating principles like Feng Shui and Japandi—a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics—can help create balance and harmony in a home. Black&Milk’s Soho Loft project demonstrates this approach, transforming a one-bedroom apartment into a serene retreat amid London’s bustling West End. The converted warehouse’s lofty ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows were optimized to enhance natural light, creating a sense of openness that balances the space’s relatively small footprint.

Drawing on Feng Shui, Black&Milk designed the layout with sliding rice-paper screens to create flexible separations between spaces, allowing for privacy without compromising light flow. The use of low-level furniture further enhances the airy atmosphere, grounding the apartment in Japandi style’s minimalist, calming aesthetic. Black&Milk’s attention to color balance also contributes to the sense of calm: neutral shades dominate the yang spaces (kitchen and living area), while rich dark tones define the yin bedroom, supporting restful energy.

These thoughtful design elements create a tranquil haven that balances both the physical layout and the intangible energy within the space—proof that small adjustments can lead to a significant impact on well-being.

Spa Rooms and Home Gyms for Personal Wellness

Home spas and fitness rooms are increasingly popular as more people prioritize self-care spaces within their homes. Olga Alexeeva notes that wellness spaces, from spa rooms to home gyms, are among Black&Milk’s most requested features. “Wellness culture is rising,” she says, “and creating spaces dedicated to self-care at home offers a luxurious, accessible solution.”

The pandemic underscored the importance of home sanctuaries, accelerating the shift toward self-care spaces that provide escape and comfort. Beyond enhancing relaxation, these upgrades add lasting value to a property. In Black&Milk’s Euston project, they transformed a bathroom into a spa-inspired sanctuary using mood lighting and distinct materials to differentiate it from other areas of the home. This spatial “sensory shift” allows occupants to fully disconnect, engaging their senses and encouraging relaxation. The project embodies the goal of wellness-driven design: to create spaces that support health and relaxation on a daily basis.

Your Wellness-Centered Home in 2025

With wellness increasingly integrated into the heart of interior design, transforming your home with these principles can be both achievable and enriching. Whether you’re embracing nature by blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries, creating peaceful balance through Feng Shui and Japandi, or setting up dedicated spaces for self-care, wellness-driven design ensures your home becomes a sanctuary of tranquility.

In 2025, let every room in your home reflect your wellness goals. Black&Milk’s approach shows that by nurturing calm, enhancing function, and connecting with nature, your home can truly become a place that inspires and rejuvenates—supporting a healthier, happier you every day.