Don’t move, improve: five ways to incorporate wellbeing into your home renovation ⁠— from lighting to acoustics and indoor plants

More than half of Londoners are keen to renovate the home they’re in, rather than face the cost and upheaval of moving, according to new figures.

Our surroundings are pivotal to our wellbeing, so it’s important to make positive changes that enhance our home and lifestyle.

The recent study by Post Office Money reveals that 59 per cent of London homeowners are taking the “don’t move, improve” approach and sprucing up their living space.

“Renovations allow homeowners to create homes that reflect their needs and tastes, with the potential added benefit of adding value in the long term,” says Chrysanthy Pispinis of Post Office Money.

Almost half of city dwellers (46 per cent) polled in the study said they wanted to improve the look of their home for their own benefit, rather than to sell in the future.

Jo Dyson, renovation and interiors expert for the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show (October 4-6, ExCeL London) and partner of Mae House Design, shares her tips on how you can promote wellbeing and enhance your lifestyle by addressing commonly overlooked aspects of home design, from boosting natural light to the artwork you put on your walls.

The more natural light we’re exposed to, the better for our health and mood. So think about the lighting layout of your home and how you can make the most of natural light. You could remove interior walls that block light, or you might add extra windows, or widen hallways.

Spend time in each room at different times of the day to see where the light falls. This can help you figure out which rooms benefit from the most daylight, and when. You might then decide to switch their use around to make the most of the light.

A good night’s sleep is vital to our wellbeing so consider how you'll block out the light in your bedroom. Fit blackout blinds or shutters to make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye and you’ll wake up refreshed.

It’s also important to think about the atmosphere you want to create. If it’s cosiness you crave, choose a warm white light bulb rather than a bright white one. Dimmers work well for bedrooms and bathrooms.

“If you are getting ready for work in the morning you might opt for a bright, light-filled bedroom and bathroom, but want the lights dimmed when you’re winding down and getting ready for sleep,” says Jo Dyson.

A selection of succulents will bring colour, calm and serenity to your home, while air-purifying plants such as peace lilies and ferns will look attractive as they help rid the air of toxins and pollutants.

If you decide to renovate your garden or roof terrace, think about attracting insects, too. Bee-friendly plants such as lavender and rosemary are ideal for roof terraces.

A herb garden of sage, parsley and basil, which can thrive on a sunny outside windowsill, will also attract insects.

If you want to bring the outside indoors, create flow from the terrace or garden to your living space by using similar-coloured plants both inside and out.

The Homebuilding & Renovating Show’s Jo Dyson has a great tip for boosting the effect: “Ensure that the flooring that links your living space to a garden or roof terrace is the same or similar to when doors to the outside are pushed back.”

Before painting your walls, consider how each room will be used. Do you want to create a cosy space to unwind in during the evenings, or perhaps have a feature wall to form a talking point at parties?

It’s no surprise that colour impacts mood. Darker shades create a dramatic and cosy feel, which can form the ideal backdrop for a picture wall. Lighter colours, including pastels, can help us feel more awake.

While red is historically seen as a powerful colour, greens are associated with tranquillity and harmony. If you want to create a relaxing space, consider painting your walls pale blue. This calm colour is associated with peace, balance and order.

Another way to up the feelgood factor is to match your walls with accent pieces such as a vintage bronze mirror, or artwork that picks up on the paint colours you’ve chosen.

Think about how the artworks you hang will make you feel. Whether you put up a run of favourite photos, a colourful statement abstract or a picture wall with a mix of shapes, sizes and frames, it’s an ideal opportunity to create a happy, evocative space that can be full of memories.

"Surround yourself with pictures of friends and family, quotes that inspire you and landscape scenes from holidays that you’ve loved," suggests Jo Dyson.

When renovating or extending a room it’s important to think about storage. Having a place for everything will create a calm, clutter-free, minimalist space.

Think about your furniture arrangements and where objects will be kept. For example, treasures on a mantelpiece will bring back happy memories each time you see them, but too many on display could create unwanted clutter.

Invest in a few storage boxes for pieces you want to keep handy but not necessarily in sight - and have a good decluttering session before you begin your renovation.

Consider whether you will be using the space to entertain or to unwind. "Position chairs in groups or sofas facing one another to encourage interaction," suggests Dyson.

If you have neighbours on either side of your house or you live in a flat, you may want to think about how the sound travels in your home.

Improve the acoustics for you and your neighbours by making sure floors are properly insulated, adding double glazing and proper sound insulation.

Think about swapping out internal doors for double-glazed versions or adding wall dividers. A run of wall cupboards or freestanding screens will also help to reduce noise travel in the home.

Other noise-cutting tips include having designated zones for phone calls, acoustic ceiling tiles and carpeted floors.

It’s worth thinking about adding proper insulation between floor joists and stud walls. And if you're taking on a loft conversion but share a party wall with a neighbour who has also converted their loft, put in the best sound insulation that you can afford.

"Being able to block out noise will help create a calm, productive and happy living space," Jo Dyson adds.