Wellness Comes Home in 2026: Inside Austin’s Shift Toward Restful, Intentional Design
Austin designers explore how color patterns, natural materials and restorative rituals are redefining what it means to live well at home
Cold plunges, saunas and other wellness treatments are no longer features reserved for high-end gyms or destination retreats. Austinites are crafting restorative, purpose-built spaces that feel serene and intentional — places meant for unwinding at the end of the day. From spa-style bathrooms and meditation rooms to air-quality upgrades and Passive House strategies, well-being has become a defining force in residential design.
Seamless Integration
Architect Mark Richardson transformed an underused semi-basement into a fully custom home spa, “complete with a site-designed steam room and dry sauna tailored around existing structural obstacles,” he says. A custom-built, always-ready cold plunge with a non-slip deck anchors the space, along with a bespoke shower system and a small lounge overlooking the garden. The result feels “seamlessly integrated into the home’s character,” he adds. Richardson believes custom craftsmanship is always worth it.
Look to Nature
Interior designer Heidi Houdek’s work centers on curating grounded interiors through natural hues and tactile warmth.“ There is real psychological evidence that certain tones, like bright reds, can raise anxiety levels, so I tend to avoid loud, high-energy colors,” she says. Instead, she draws inspiration from the landscape around each project and often incorporates small zones for meditation or stillness. “Even on days when you aren’t actively using it, simply having that quiet, grounded area adds a sense of calm to the environment.”
Lifestyle First, Design Follows
Designer Bambi A’Lynn Bratton centers wellness around lifestyle. A recent athlete-focused home includes a light-filled gym, a ballet studio and a primary bathroom that’s a “personal spa-like sanctuary,” she says. “The domed ceiling in handcrafted Zellige tiles feels like a secluded grotto.”
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For the Everyday
Meredith Owen brings wellness into the rooms that clients use most. In one recent project, she designed a natural-stone shower with a soft archway and sculpted marble bench. “The whole room feels like a warm, quiet exhale,” she says. Another bathroom features lilac marble, a freestanding tub and a rain shower that Owens describes as “modern and a little bit dreamy.”
Change at All Range
Architect Trey Farmer, known for his Passive House residences, encourages clients to start with air quality. “A small air-quality monitor can be eye-opening,” he says. Easy shifts include switching to nontoxic cleaners and adding houseplants; bigger upgrades include portable HEPA purifiers and MERV-13 filters. Renovating or building? Farmer says to “Switch from gas to induction and consider Passive House standards for a home that’s airtight, quiet, comfortable and exceptionally clean.”
Uncluttered + Intuitive
For Lindsie Davis of Blueberry Jones, wellness arises from clarity and adaptability. In a recent flex space, refined built-ins conceal equipment, while a Murphy bed and kitchenette let the room shift effortlessly from workout studio to guest suite.
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