Trends In 2022 That Will Become Living Standards

 

80% Of Americans Want To Improve Their Wellness: Lynn Wallace has already been improving wellness through kitchen and bath design in Coachella Valley for years.

For over a decade Lynn Wallace, principal designer for Kitchens And Baths By Lynn, has been concerned with how homes support the health and wellness of her clients. One home improvement project a time she has encouraged clients to include more biophilia through tile, cabinetry, lighting and layout to kitchen and bath remodels. One client at a time Lynn has strengthened the home's ability to support good health and wellbeing practices. With trend reports flooding the new year, which are the trends that are most likely to have a long term impact? Here is the line up of trends that will most likely become living standards for the average resident:

• Home Health gets tracked the same way we track our personal vitals.
• Kitchens support the rise in plant based diets with cultivators, indoor gardens and countertop composters.
• Pets, especially dogs, get companion status increased with health care routines that resemble their humans.
• Consumers demand green and sustainable cleaning supplies for the home.
• Spaces designed to inspire mindfulness and self care.
• Bringing the outdoors in and more living spaces outside.
• Leveraging lifestyle with technology.

TRACK YOUR HOME HEALTH: How do you track home health and why does it matter? First, it might help to relate to your home as a functioning body. Your HVAC would be the equivalent to lungs. Just like you, your home pulls fresh air from the outside and draws it in. COVID aside, we have been experiencing more air pollution due to wildfires (particulates can cause respiratory conditions) and artificial contaminants. What kind of impurities are we pulling into our homes? While outside pollutants are bad enough, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) can be even worse causing everything from headaches to far more concerning health conditions. VOCs are the toxins are in the air from the materials used to build and furnish our homes. Water is the "life blood" of a home. It is another source of potential contaminant that we can track to keep clean for our showers, cooking and other activities. 

Biophilic Patterns

• APRILAIR 5000: This whole home filtration system delivers clean air to your entire home.
  Wildfires are becoming a predictable standard in California. Whether you are at the epicenter or just down wind, the health threat is very real. If smoke can degrade electronics to the point of not functioning, imagine what those fine particulates are doing to your lungs as you breathe them in deeply. Burning eyes and a runny nose are the least of your concerns when air quality requires us t stay inside. While premature death is the most extreme result of smoke contamination, aggravated chronic heart and lung disease is more common. This whole home filtration system has a 98% success rate at filter out:
• Mold spores
• Pollen
• Bacteria
• Dust
• Pet hair
• 95% Smoke size particles
• 89% Virus size particles down to .3 microns
• HALO: This whole home water filtration is set up at the source of where water enters your home. Halo offers several solutions based on your home's needs. The Halo 5 is one of the most common solutions for removing the following from municipal water:
• Chlorine
• Chloramine
• Gases
• Fuels
• Dyes
• Heavy Metals
• Man-made pollutants
• Disinfectants
• And pesticides to name a few...

• HOME HEALTH TRACKERS (INDOOR | OUTDOOR): Regardless of whether you want to track the air quality of just your home or the air quality in general, there is an app to serve you. An article by Sylvane lists the 5 Best Apps Indoor Air Quality Apps for you to compare. Lynn found the comparisons to be extensive and informative. Sylvane used the following guidelines to determine the top five:
• How comprehensive is the list of items the app will detect? A more comprehensive detector will report PM2.5, VOC’s, CO2, as well as CO.
• How much information does the app include in the feedback? An informative app might include the detection of smoke as well as VOC levels. 
• How easy is the app to use? A good app will be intuitive and easy to use even if you have never used it before. 
• How useful is the alert system? There is nothing like too little information too late. Make sure the app has an alert system that works well for you. 
• Solutions. In a world that is quick to talk about problems, the ultimate app will give you solutions or suggestions for those problems. 

KITCHENS THAT SUPPORT PLANT BASED DIETS: Kitchen gardens haven't been this popular since the 70's. They have come along way from macramé holders and countertop pots. Sophisticated systems make you look like you have a green thumb even if its brown. Maintenance couldn't be easier with built in timers, grow lights, and flushing systems. There really is no excuse not to grow healthy, pesticide free fruits, veggies, lettuce and micro-greens inside your kitchen. Lynn's "go to" is the Urban Cultivator. Lynn is an approved dealer and has one in her own home. She encourages clients to not only do the expected, grow healthy fresh produce in your home but, she encourages edible landscaping as well. One of her favorite tomato plants was actually started from a seed she brought home from a farm-to-fork restaurant. Not only does Lynn make great use of her landscape but it allows her to share her abundance with neighbors. There are some customs about the "good ol' days" that are worth bringing back. What a great way to bond with your community.

To close the loop, countertop and under-counter, kitchen composters are being added as well. Put your kitchen scraps into these discrete machines and you can have fertilizer for your edible landscape within as little as 24hrs. Trusted companies like Whirlpool and start-up companies are working around the clock to meet customer demand for tools that help significantly reduce food waste. The USDA states that Americans waste 30%-40% of the food supply. "When we waste food, we also waste all of the energy and water it takes to grow, harvest, transport and package it." That is an oversimplification that doesn't even touch the greenhouse gasses. Wellness Kitchens are helping the average American household do their part by making conservation part of their daily routine. Well designed kitchens can make it easy to make a significant difference one household at a time.

Why will kitchens that support plant based diets become a living standard? Let's take a look at the following trends that contribute to this wellness lifestyle:

• A Partial Solution To Global Warming: Just focusing on beef consumption, 

  

  Glass Panel Fridge

  "Livestock are responsible for 14.5% global greenhouse gasses". Over grazing has caused soil and biodiversity to degrade at an alarming rate. Conversely, by reducing the number of cattle and responsibly grazing them, we create healthy soil that can trap carbon emissions the way it was designed to. You don't have to cut meat out of your diet, just reduce the consumption and supplement protein through your plant based diet.
• Heal Leaky Gut And Other Digestive Conditions: Glyphosate found in Roundup and other pesticides has been the number one culprit of long term conditions like leaky gut (the degradation of the gut biome) and celiac disease (an intolerance to gluten). Glyphosate attacks the microbiome in the gut similarly to the way it attacks pests in plants. The result can be a perforated gut lining that allows toxins to leak into the rest of the body resulting in joint pain and related conditions. It also inhibits healthy chemical reactions within the gut causing problems with digestion and the processing of nutrition. The number in illnesses related to these conditions is rising in the US at an alarming rate. By remodeling your kitchen to support a kitchen garden and edible landscapes, you have better control over the environment of your food. You know exactly how the food was raised, what chemicals were used (if any) and when the food is harvested for optimal nutrition.
• Weight and Diet Control: The CDC is a strong supporter of introducing more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet for weight loss and weight control. Not only are they a great source of fiber and nutrients, they also provide hydration. In fact, celery and cucumber actually help you absorb water as well as working as an anti-inflammatory. The fiber provided helps to keep the internal evacuation system working smoothly so that toxins don't sit in your body. 
• Fighting Disease and Illness: Microgreens that are grown in kitchen gardens are often high in the vitamins and minerals that strengthen our immune systems for the long haul...not just a boost. They are especially beneficial by providing nutrients necessary to help fight COVID and flu virus. Healthline suggests that they are also much richer in antioxidants than their mature counterpart. Microgreens reduce the risk of; heart disease, Alzheimer's, Diabetes and some cancers.

YOUR PET'S HEALTHCARE ROUTINE: More than ever in recent history our pets are truly our ESA (Emotional Support Animal). As a bonified member of the family our pets are enjoying the same wellness treatments their humans get. With the ability to ready our emotions and compensate accordingly, it is no wonder that home owners are wanting to make sure that they are providing the best life for their pets as possible. In terms of care, this means:

• Non-GMO and glyphosate free food. Gut biome is an increasing concern for pet owners as there continues to be a rise in food allergies among cats and dogs. Owners are looking for safe, preventative (think probiotics), organic solutions to skin and fur conditions. Again, kitchen gardens are providing some of those ingredients.  
• Meanwhile, cabinetry companies offer a variety of convenient food stations that includes storage, water dispenser (think of a conveniently placed pot filler) and food station.
• Grooming stations are a big deal too. Some pet owners decide to go curbless on the shower while others prefer to convert a dedicated area in the laundry room.
• CBD based products are preferred for pain management for senior pets.
• Cruelty free and sustainable cleaning products and odor removers.
• Cat boxes that look like furniture, self clean and capture odors. 
• Personalized hygiene regiments to rival human routines.

As a large dog owner, Lynn knows how important it is that a home accommodates fur babies so that they can share in a good quality of life. Sincerely, their companionship is priceless especially in a day and age where there is a human disconnect due to technology and pandemics. Just as we look for ways to increase our health and wellness we are looking to do the same for our pets. Preventative medicine is as good for us as it is for them. Lynn uses her skill set to create layouts that give pets the freedom to safely go in and out of the home as well as have the safety and comfort of a kennel that is built into the cabinetry or house.

SPACES FOR MINDFULLNESS AND SELF CARE ARE IN DEMAND: With deadlines piled on each other, requests for social engagements and general overload, America is feeling the need to slow down and check-in with themselves. Nobody will love you more than you love yourself. Yet, with our fast paced work and social life, relationship with self is the one relationship that easiest to neglect. Out of sight out of mind. A Cambridge University confirms that mindfulness is an effective tool for reducing stress, anxiety and depression. This is why people are turning to designers to create mindful spaces both indoors and out so. People are requesting physical cues that remind, if not inspire, them to take a minute and "check-in" by "checking-out". This need to create spaces that trigger relaxation has been a driver for colors and materials that natural soothe the senses. Regardless of what color pop is trending, a spectrum of neutrals is here to stay at the very least as a backdrop. Brown tones that reflect wood, earth and stone are at the top of the list. Here are some spaces to consider focusing on:

• Kitchen: Nooks that encourage a cup of tea with a good view of the garden or allow for splashes of sunlight. Layouts that encourage cooking with natural ingredients and playful experimentation.
• Bathroom: Lots of opportunity here. Showers that allow you to get a water massage in by utilizing low flow but high water pressure conversion. Moen specializes in these heads to meet California water conservation standards.
• Walk-In Closets: Believe it or not, with a skillful eye, a closet can be an incredibly relaxing space. One of the contributing factors is the amount of fabric that absorbs sound allows the space to sound as soft as the forest after a fresh snow. 
• The Study: Design a corner that motivates you to get up from time to time, stretch and change position by changing seats. Even better if it is cozy, has a good view, or takes advantage of natural sunlight.
• Balcony's and Patios: Excellent locations even if all you can accommodate is a chair. Make it a hanging chair and include a space that opposite your personality...like Bohemian. Fresh air and natural light are perfect. It also allows you to take full advantage of the rare overcast day in the desert.

LEVERAGING YOUR LIFESTYLE WITH TECHNOLOGY: Not all of us can afford the luxury of a full staff of housekeepers...or can we? Think of technology as your access to an entire staff. As we move into the future this will be the case for the average American who would like to add more time and convenience to the day. For others it will be a necessity if they plan on Aging-In-Place. In many ways technology is both the luxury and independence we are looking for to enjoy a good quality of life that allows us to evolve as people and participate more with our community. 

• Executive House Keeper: This would be your home hub like Alexa, Seri, Google, etc. Commands or requests (if you want to practice gratitude) go to the hub and are then communicated to the necessary staff (technologies in other rooms and appliances).
• The Houseman: These technologies range anywhere from Ring and home security to Lighting schemes that are preset for different occasions. It includes your Roomba too. 
• Private Chef: You would be amazed at how far appliances have come utilizing WiFi.
• Ovens: Utilizing your phone app, pre-heat your oven or start cooking. More importantly, check on it to confirm you turned it off when you left the house.
• Coffee Makers: Built-in or countertop, set it up to brew at will or set it as part of your morning scheme. 
• Cooktop: Turn it on. Turn it off. Whether it is for you or if you are the caregiver for someone else, you can keep the kitchen safe. 
• Refrigerator: Samsung and LG are leading the pack with the helpful home hub refrigerator. Aside from expected features like water filter indicators and door alarms, there are a couple of welcome additions. A glass front door allows you to peak into the fridge without wasting energy opening it every time. In cooperation with Wellness Living, the humidity and temperature control compartments are more efficient with preserving the nutrient value of fruits and vegetables. With internal cameras, you can see what needs to be picked up at the store on your phone app. It just so happens that this appliances can also double as a Personal Assistant aiding with scheduling, reminders, video calls and so much more. 
• Cultivator: Check in on your microgreens and seedlings using you phone app. You will know if anything needs to be checked or changed to ensure crisp nutrient dense greens for juicing, salads and garnishes.
• Taps: New faucets by Moen, Brizo, Delta, etc. have wonderful luxuries to assist with hands free work. Pre-set water levels for your boiling pots. Turn the water on and off with voice commands or the wave your hand. 
• Composter: Wifi and a phone app will let you know when your food waste has been turned to nutrient fertilizer for your houseplants, landscape and garden.
• Bathroom: Once again the Executive Housekeeper takes over to make sure your bathroom is the oasis you invested in. 
• Taps: Wifi connection allows for the hub to communicate water temperature (that can be preset to individual household members) and fill time. 
• Shower System: Companies like Moen have you covered from luxury features to Title 24 California water conservation standards. Preset your favorite temperature and water pressure and add it to your scheme (preset daily routines that include everything from lighting to making your coffee at the same time every morning). They also include chromotherapy and aroma therapy. Some models are equipped with Bluetooth so you can listen to an inspirational podcast, your favorite meditation music or take an important phone call. 

With so many amenities and technological features available it can be a bit overwhelming to try to remember all of your options. This is where the assistance of a skilled interior designer comes in handy. A kitchen and bath specialist like Lynn, is always being updated on what is available to her clients and how they can best serve her clients. If you have been thinking about updating your home, you could not have picked a better time. Vendors and manufacturers are finally catching up to what Lynn has been helping her community with for years, Wellness Living. It has never been so easy to create spaces that maximize your wellbeing and quality of life as it is now. A lot of trends come and go and come again. The topics discussed in this post are about what is going to be a standard as we move forward with Wellness Living for people and for the planet. Let's get designing.