Glossary of Wellness Interior Design Terms

A bold or contrasting color used selectively to highlight key features or add visual interest to a space. Accent colors or accent shades are often used in cushions, art, or feature walls.

A design or space that is visually attractive and harmonious, often combining form, texture, and color in a way that enhances emotional well-being.

Plants commonly used in biophilic and wellness design, known for improving indoor air quality by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity, and producing oxygen.

The innate human tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. This principle underpins biophilic interior design.

An architectural approach that integrates nature directly into building design; using light, greenery, water features, and organic forms to support well-being.

A design approach that incorporates natural elements (such as plants, water, light, and natural materials) into interior spaces to create a sense of connection to nature. A wellness-focused design strategy that enhances health and comfort by integrating natural patterns into the built environment.

Individual features used in biophilic design, such as green walls, living plants, natural textures, flowing water, earthy color palettes, and daylight access.

The application of biophilic design principles to indoor spaces, often featuring nature-inspired patterns, indoor plants, wood, stone, and other tactile materials.

A whole-home approach to biophilic design that prioritises wellness through connection to nature in every room, from living spaces to kitchens and bedrooms.

Soft, muted tones—such as sage green, sand, blush, and sky blue—used in wellness and neuroaesthetic design to reduce stress and evoke calm. These are usually rooted in colour psychology, and are used a lot in health and wellness spaces.

The principles used to understand how colors relate, combine, and affect mood. The theory is essential for creating emotionally supportive interior palettes, and will influence the choices made in your overall interior design.

The act of designing environments that are not just functional but emotionally resonant and health-supportive, often used in wellness design language.

These are the foundational components of design and guide everything we do, suggest, and create. Line, shape, color, texture, space, and form: they all contribute to a space's aesthetic and emotional impact.

A holistic approach to interior design that prioritises mental, physical, and emotional health; through light, material choices, air quality, and spatial flow.

Practical suggestions to enhance functionality, aesthetics, and wellness in interior design. These usually range from room layout advice to healthy material choices.

The central visual feature in a room, such as a fireplace, artwork, or large window. Helps anchor the space and guide layout decisions.

Sustainable elements in a home—such as non-toxic paints, energy-efficient lighting, and natural ventilation—that support both wellness and the environment.

Design strategies that intentionally support recovery, rest, and emotional balance. Healing home designs often incorporate soft textures, soothing colors, and nature.

The idea that home environments can actively support well-being through clean air, good sleep hygiene, ergonomic layouts, and toxin-free materials.

Following on, a living environment designed to promote wellness by using natural materials, ensuring good air and light quality, and reducing exposure to toxins.

A professional (like Bal Bahia!) who advises on improving the health and wellness of living environments through design, material sourcing, and layout recommendations.

The creation, theory, and building of residential spaces that prioritise well-being through intentional design, incorporating biophilic and non-toxic principles.

A home that fosters physical and mental health through factors like fresh air, natural light, calming aesthetics, and safe materials.

Furniture, finishes, and accessories that support wellness. These often include elements such as VOC-free paints, air purifiers, organic textiles, and sustainable furniture, but can branch out beyond this.

Guidelines and benchmarks that are used to define what constitutes a health-supportive home, including indoor air quality, lighting, acoustics, and material safety.

A lifestyle supported by environments that encourage relaxation, movement, nutrition, and sleep through thoughtful design and layout. This is something we encourage through our design and plans at Bal Bahia Interiors.

A focus on promoting physical, emotional, and mental health within the home, built through interior design choices, routines, and mindful living.

A design approach that blurs the boundaries between inside and outside spaces—enhancing natural light, ventilation, and connection to nature.

Design that draws from the forms, colors, textures, and materials of the natural world to create a calm, nurturing indoor environment.

This is the study of how the brain responds to visual stimuli like color, shape, and spatial layout—informing interior design that promotes positive emotions. Neuroaesthetics is something that Bal Bahia is trained in and incorporates into all our designs.

Academic and applied studies that investigate how interior design can affect stress, cognition, and mood through sensory design choices.

Paint that contains low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reducing indoor air pollution and supporting a healthy home environment.

Also known as NC or non-tox materials. Building and furnishing materials that are free from harmful chemicals. They’re key to creating safe, wellness-centered interiors.

A design approach that reduces environmental impact through material choices, energy efficiency, and long-lasting, adaptable interiors.

Chemicals found in some paints, adhesives, and finishes. VOC-free products are preferred in wellness design for safer indoor air quality.

An approach to architectural design that integrates wellness strategies at every level—from structure and light flow to materials and air quality.

An overarching approach that combines design, health science, and environmental awareness to create spaces that support holistic well-being.

What we do here at Bal Bahia Interiors! A discipline that blends interior design with wellness principles. That means things like addressing air quality, ergonomics, nature connection, and sensory harmony.

Designing spaces within a home specifically for restoration. This can include areas such as meditation rooms, home spas, or quiet reading corners that promote calm and balance.