In a world where our homes have become the center of nearly everything—work, rest, family life, and more—the idea of wellness at home has never felt more essential. “While trends come and go, wellness at home is an emerging practice that is here to stay,” says Dana King, founder of Dana King Design Build Remodeling.
“What’s good for people is often good for their homes,” says King. “Take indoor humidity, for example. Maintaining recommended humidity levels—ideally between 40 and 60 percent—protects your investment in cabinetry, flooring, and wood furnishings from cracking or warping. But it also benefits your health. Balanced humidity supports immune function, reduces respiratory discomfort, and makes a home more comfortable to live in.”
Tier 1: Improving what’s already there
Thoughtful remodeling starts by improving the home’s existing systems. Whether it’s sealing drafts, managing moisture, or upgrading outdated plumbing and wiring, the team is proactive in identifying issues that can compromise a home’s performance and that also impact homeowner wellness.
“When we’re remodeling a kitchen or bath, we always consider the impact on the broader home system,” says King. For example, opening up a kitchen to the living room may require changes to HVAC zones or ventilation. There might be cold spots in an area of the home. When we install a window, an air vent needs to be installed on the floor directly in front to temper the air affected by air transfer on the glass.
Basements also play a bigger role than many homeowners realize. According to building science experts, 30–50 percent of the air on upper floors originates in the basement because of a phenomenon known as the “stack effect.” Poor air quality below can directly affect daily life above.
“Even when we’re not remodeling the basement, we often suggest simple improvements—like sealing foundation cracks or adding a dehumidifier—to enhance your well-being at home,” King says.
Tier 2: Meeting—and exceeding—building code
This commitment shows up in countless small decisions that often go unnoticed but deliver long-term benefits. When approaching a home improvement or remodeling project, practices that Dana King’s team considers essential include:
- EPA-certified lead-safe practices for older homes
- HEPA filtration and dust containment during construction
- Careful material vetting for non-toxic, allergy-friendly finishes
Beyond meeting building codes, which is the minimum acceptable, Dana King’s team considers it important to integrate best practices established by the WELL Building Institute. Examples include:
- Adding insulation where needed or acoustic tiles to prevent sound reverberation and for enhanced thermal comfort
- Planning for optimal work triangles in a kitchen to prevent food contamination and ease of hand washing while healthy food preparation occurs
- Testing water quality and evaluating what water treatment or filtration system is needed or wanted to promote clean water consumption
“We don’t believe remodelers or homeowners should only act when they’re required to by regulation,” says King. “We go the extra mile because we care about the homes we work on and the people who live in them.”
Tier 3: Enhancing daily life with optimal wellness choices
Beyond structural improvements and safety upgrades, this tier focuses on the everyday interactions that shape how a home supports comfort, health, and ease of living.
Examples of wellness-focused design choices include:
- Induction cooktops to eliminate indoor gas emissions
- Photo-catalytic HVAC systems to deactivate bacteria, remove odors, and reduce allergens
- Circadian rhythm lighting to support healthy body responses to natural light cycles
- Air-cleaning paint and non-toxic floor finishes to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals
- Biophilic design to utilize organic materials like wood, stone, and greenery, helping to alleviate stress by connecting with nature
“We love crafting spaces that are beautiful and functional,” says King. “But the best compliment is when a client says their home feels better. For example, if they’re breathing easier and dusting less—that’s the real win. That’s when I know our team has done something meaningful.”
So for anyone considering a remodel, King suggests beginning with a new kind of question: “How do I want this space to feel—and how should it support the rhythm, beauty, and demands of daily life?”
That’s the future of remodeling. And it’s already here.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Dana King Design Build. To learn more, visit danaking.com.
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