5 Ways to Create Stress-Free Spaces for Your Clients
Now more than ever, people want their homes to promote and support their mental well-being. Mental well-being is an integral aspect of the growing home wellness trend, with one study1 reporting that mental health and emotional well-being were among the most important aspects of wellness overall. Yes, consumers are still looking for antimicrobial features2 and better air quality but they're also searching for homes that offer spaces that enhance and simplify their everyday lives.
According to a recent survey, however, they don't feel like their needs for a relaxing environment are always being met in the current housing market. The survey reports that consumers are unsatisfied with the lack of designs and features within the home that support "recuperating and relaxing."
Here are five things to keep in mind in order to create stress-free spaces in your next build, and attract potential buyers:
Increase Cabinet Space
The kitchen is often a main gathering space, but it can collect a lot of clutter - especially with more people staying home, which can lead to added stress. In fact, nearly one-third of homeowners in 2020 have pursued cabinet upgrades and more than a quarter have added more cabinets to their kitchen, which has nearly quadrupled in the previous year. With extra cabinet space, everything from stand mixers to blenders will have a place to go, keeping countertops clear.
Include the Right Appliances
Cooking dinner and doing laundry can be dreaded chores, but the right appliances can help take the guesswork and stress out of them. More than 25% of potential homebuyers prioritize an updated kitchen when looking for a new home. What better way to entice buyers than with the latest appliances that help streamline cooking and cleanup? The KitchenAidⓇ Smart Oven+ Combination Oven, for example, allows for grilling, baking and steaming all in one appliance. It also includes mobile app connectivity to remotely monitor and control the oven, allowing homeowners to relax while keeping tabs on dinner.
When it comes to laundry, the WhirlpoolⓇ Smart Front Load Washer with Load & Go™ XL Plus Dispenser gives users the ability to skip laundry steps to simplify the chore. With the Load & Go™ XL Plus dispenser, simply add detergent and fabric softener once and skip refills for 40 loads. They'll even get notifications when it's time to refill.
Add a Breakfast Nook
Give people a space in their kitchen to relax with their coffee before starting a day of work from home or heading to the office. Add cozy, built-in banquette seating next to a window to allow plenty of natural light to stream in, and storage drawers beneath seating to hide away linens and other items. To complete the sanctuary space in the kitchen, install the JennAirⓇ NOIR 60cm Built-In Coffee System to make it easy to prepare cafe-quality coffee on demand. Best of all, no additional counter space is needed as it fits seamlessly into cabinetry.
Make Cleanup Easy
No matter how many spa-like elements are in a space, it's hard to relax when there's a stack of dirty dishes piling up in the sink. Help homeowners streamline the cleanup process to reduce the amount of work around the house with the WhirlpoolⓇ Fingerprint Resistant Dishwasher with 3rd Rack & Large Capacity, which fits bowls and mugs on the 3rd rack, freeing up space below for more dishes. The stainless finish also resists fingerprints and smudges to keep a clean appearance.
Pick the Right Colors
Colors play an important role in setting the mood within a space - and, according to a Zillow study3, color can also influence whether potential buyers purchase a home. Light, neutral colors were most popular among common areas, as it allowed consumers to better imagine themselves within that space. In the bedroom, however, darker colors were more sought after, with dark blue receiving a score of 89 out of 100 in the study's metrics.
For additional details about our appliance offerings, contact a sales rep today. Keep up with other trends and news in your industry by visiting The Trade Channel page.