Your business is compliant with the building codes in Ontario and you've installed everything you need to in order to comply with AODA regulations. Your building is safe, accessible and built to code. Awesome! But guess what? When it comes to your employees health and well-being, code compliance is not enough.

Why is it important to design for employee well-being? First off, designing for well-being is just good ethics. It's also good business too, especially when you think of interior design as a strategic business decision. When your business is focused on employee health, you'll experience increased workplace productivity and creativity in your staff, improved customer experiences, decreases in employees absences, and an improvement in staff turnover.

Now that you understand why it's important, let's talk about to implement it. Your business could be an office, a retail shop, a garage, a sales office, a lunch room, a gym, a waiting room, or a warehouse. It could be an industrial facility, a healthcare facility or a restaurant. Every business is different and every location has it's pros and cons. So how do you adjust for your unique situation?

First, you have to get clear on the purpose of the space. Designing the CEO's office is going to being different than designing a bathroom or a lunch room.

Then you need to understand mental health needs from an employee's perspective - connection to nature, connection to people, having a sense of purpose, being treated with dignity and respect, good nutrition, physical safety and security. These are universal and can be solved in any workplace regardless of what industry you're in.

When we're designing commercial projects, we're looking at the best ways to do that within that particular space. Our primary focus is on the people who work in the space every single day. so we look at traffic flow in different areas of the building, efficient use of space, ergonomics, lighting and electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) that could be impacting how people think, create and work.

Some of the other things to consider when designing your business for well-being are:

• colour choices for different spaces, knowing how different colours and tones affect mood
• textures and how they impact the way a space feels
• the position of the desks and workstations so everyone is set up for maximum productivity
• connection to nature, either through the way the windows are positioned, or by bringing in plants and greenery into the space

Here's a quick 60 second challenge for you. Take a look around your physical business location and see if you can identify what's going on in there that could be impacting your employees' health and well-being. Look at the layout, the lighting, the efficiency and flow of day to day work, as well as the look and feel of the space. Do these things make your space feel like a great place to be in every day? Do they foster a strong company culture, a sense of belonging for everyone? How do these things impact your own physical and mental well-being?

Our goal at Mindful Living Interiors is always going to be about designing spaces that improve the health and well-being of everyone living and working in them. Think about your own business and how your space could be impacting your employees and when you're ready to set your business up to support everyone in it, we're here to help.

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2026!
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Now that the holidays are over, it's back to reality. For many people, especially for those of us living in the north, it can amplify feelings of anxiety and depression and can have a profound effect on other mental health conditions. Well, what if I told you that there are things you can do right now in your own home to help alleviate some of those feelings?

1. Bold colour is a proven mood booster

Let's start with colour. Cold winter days and nights in the north can feel depressing if you let it. But have you ever noticed that even when it's -35 outside, if the sun is shining it makes everything feel better? That's the power of the fire element.

So why not bring that same energy into your house? In fact, winter is the perfect time to bring in the same colours you would see in a sunset or in a fire - colours like red, orange, yellow, purple or hot pink. It breaks up the monotony of the all white landscape and brings vibrancy and life to the space, which immediately perks you up and keeps the winter blues at bay.
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I know what you're thinking. "Red? Hot pink? In my house? Lady, you're crazy!" Do not be afraid of colour! I'm serious, here.

Now, I wouldn't recommend painting an entire room in red, yellow or hot pink but you can bring in brightly coloured fresh flowers, a gorgeous, vibrant piece of art, or decor pieces in these colours to immediately perk you up and give you the energy boost you need.

2. Earth elements decrease anxiety

Speaking of colour, if you find yourself feeling anxious instead of depressed, using neutral, earth colours can help relax you. Warm neutrals have been proven to have a calming effect on the nervous system. It's not just colours, but also the textures and shapes that help to ground a space. Try incorporating more of the earth element into your home with natural materials such as terracotta, stone or marble, items that have a lot of texture to them, and objects that are square shapes. These don't have to be big items - just a textured vase, a square rug, or a couple of marble sculptures.

When life gets overwhelming, I know that I need take a step back and slow down. Bringing out the earth elements are my always my go-to for managing my anxiety and creating a sense of balance in my house will do.

3. Tactile experiences activate the brain

Have you ever seen how toys for babies have a myriad of textures on them? That's because humans are wired to connect with things in a tangible way. We're not meant to only interact with screens. We're designed to engage with our surroundings, to use all of our senses. Purposely incorporating all sorts of different textures into your home will help keep your brain engaged, which is essential for your mental health.

The rough texture of a natural stone vase, the honed finish of a marble countertop, the varied textures in a solid wood floor, fabrics in velvet, silk, linen, or cotton, or the textural details in an antique frame are just a few ideas of textures to think about. When you have a balance of different textures throughout the home, your brain automatically senses safety. People were made to interact with the world. That's why having real, tangible items in your home that evoke a sense of connection are so important to your mental health.

4. Declutter strategically

You've likely heard this many times, but the reason I'm repeating it is because it really is an important part of your overall mental health. But before you skip to the next tip, hear me out. If you don't think you have clutter in your home, I guarantee you that you do. Every single one of my Feng Shui and/or interior design clients has discovered that they have things in their homes that are impacting the energy within their homes.
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I'm no different. I'm guilty of buying home decor items just because I love them, with nowhere to put them. (Don't let me loose in a bed and bath store - it's dangerous!) The items I buy eventually end up going somewhere, even if it's not my own home (sometimes the perfect place for them is in a client project) but sometimes they end up in a closet, not being used or enjoyed.

Everyone has their own system for decluttering and organizing but I'll share with you how I do it. Identify one goal you want to achieve in your life this month. Go into the room or rooms that fall into the area of the bagua associated with that goal and take absolutely everything out of the room. The only things that go back into that room are things that support you in achieving that goal. Everything else will either be tossed, donated or used in another room.
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All I'm saying here is to practice strategic restraint. The items in your home should serve a purpose and be things that you love. And not everything you love needs to be on display all the time. Less is more and that's why psychologists, decluttering experts, professional organizers and Feng Shui consultants will keep reminding you of the impact your stuff is having on your energy and mental health.

5. Reset your brain with lighting

Cool lighting is characterized by blue or white hues and is typically associated with productivity, alertness, concentration and focus. It's most often used in offices, schools and hospitals, simulating the natural light conditions of midday and it can be really helpful in areas where people need to stay awake and alert. It's meant to help you pay attention in those boring work meetings.

But it's not healthy to be alert 24 hours a day. That's why as a designer, I always look to create layered lighting plans in homes and in offices, creating natural circadian rhythms to help calm the brain and sleep well. Your brain can only take so much stimulation.

Warm lighting is characterized by orange or yellow hues, mimicking the warm, comforting glow of a sunset or cozy fireplace. It's cozy, it calms the mind and is scientifically proved to promote relaxation and reduce stress levels.
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To create a natural circadian rhythm, even with long winter days and nights, imagine the cycle of the sun and work that into your day using  a combination of cool and warm lighting, installing dimmers to give you the option of controlling the brightness, and choosing light bulbs with appropriate colour temperatures. (Look on the box that the bulb comes in to look at the Kelvins. 2700k is a nice warm temperature, 4000k is cooler).

Turn on the brighter lights first thing in the morning to replicate the sun even when you're waking up long before the sun is up. Finish dinner early in the evening so that you have several hours of warm lighting to calm your mind. Your devices emit blue light which is why sleep experts always tell you to turns off your screens at least an hour before going to bed.
The other thing to consider is the amount of natural light you're getting everyday. Open all of the blinds and curtains, go outside as much as you can and if needed, invest in a light-therapy lamp. Your brain will thank you.

6. Choose comfort over trends

Finally, I want you to ignore the trends for 2026. Make your home your own. Decide what you want for your home, how you want to feel in it, how it needs to function for you and your family. I've been saying this for years - be intentional about the way you live your life, including in your own home. There are psychologically and scientifically proven things that have an impact on your overall health and well-being but there is nothing stronger than just being yourself and not trying to impress anyone or trying to keep up with trends. 

​Just know that your environment plays such a crucial role in your overall well-being, including your mental health. I've listed just a few things you can do in your own home to ensure that you get through this winter feeling good but if you still feel like your home could use some help to support you and/or your family members, we can help.