Men's Health Editor & Luxury Designers Discuss the Home Wellness Boom I HB The Next Issue

Why It Matters

As wellness becomes a decisive factor in home purchasing and renovation, designers and brands that embed intentional, affordable health‑focused features will capture growing consumer spend and shape the future of residential living.

Key Takeaways

• Wellness now drives home design decisions across generations.
• Small intentional items can reduce daily friction and boost mental health.
• Younger affluent consumers invest heavily in personalized wellness spaces.
• Flexible affordable solutions like portable plunge pools democratize home wellness.
• Designing for varied modes—focus, social, restoration—creates holistic rituals.

Summary

The video convenes a panel of design and health editors to explore how wellness has become a central driver of residential design. Host Kreesha Swensen interviews Tanya Reno of Iron House Design, Men’s Health editorial director Rich Dormant, and Gensler’s Shavon Berry, highlighting a cultural shift from purely aesthetic upgrades to holistic environments that support physical, mental and social well‑being.

Panelists note that the past decade has seen wellness seep into every purchase decision, from high‑end plunge pools to everyday objects like a well‑chosen cutting board. Younger, financially secure consumers are leading the charge, demanding spaces that enable intentional rituals, flexible work‑out zones, and moments of quiet restoration. The conversation emphasizes that wellness is an investment—both monetary and attentional—requiring purposeful design choices rather than accidental outcomes.

Concrete examples illustrate the point: a simple, beautiful cutting board can eliminate daily friction; portable inflatable plunge pools offer spa‑like experiences without a full‑home remodel; families are integrating fitness equipment into multiple rooms, creating “family gyms” that serve all ages. Designers stress the importance of lighting, acoustic planning, and modular furniture to support distinct modes—focus, social, recovery—mirroring hotel‑lobby precision in private homes.

The implications are clear for the industry: architects, interior designers, and product manufacturers must cater to a market that values adaptable, affordable wellness solutions and seeks to embed ritual into everyday living. Success will hinge on delivering intentional, multi‑modal environments that resonate across generations, turning wellness from a niche trend into a mainstream design imperative.

Original Description

In the latest installment of Next Issue, our talk series celebrating House Beautiful’s 130th anniversary, our market director Carisha Swanson sat down with three experts in the wellness space—Rich Dorment, editorial director of Men’s Health and Women’s Health; Tanya Ryno, founder of Iron House Design; and Siobhan Barry, design director at Gensler—to discuss how our homes can and are supporting our emotional and physical health.