a Look at Wellness Room Designs

When COVID-19 hit, remote work became the norm and home offices were a must-have. But in recent years, working from home has become less common. According to a report from CoworkingMag, remote work numbers are declining: 17.9% of workers were remote in 2021; by 2023, it was 13.8%.

With less need for a home office, some homeowners are using spare rooms in different ways—and wellness rooms are trending.

“Dedicated spaces for calm are definitely gaining traction as the home evolves beyond just work,” says Jennie Berger, design consultant and owner at Property People. “Post-pandemic, the home’s role has shifted. It’s not just about productivity anymore. People are carving out spaces specifically for unwinding and mental health, indicating a growing awareness of well-being as a home priority.”

Indeed, Joe Liebowitz, owner of Liebo Builders, a construction company in Los Angeles, says his team frequently get requests for wellness rooms.

“These spaces are quickly becoming an expected feature, not a bonus, especially in high-end markets,” he says.

Read on to learn about the wellness room trend—and if you should add one to your home.

What is a wellness room?

Liebowitz says these spaces are “incredibly versatile” and may include a large variety of features aimed at different personal wellness goals. For example, some wellness spaces are filled with items to promote physical health, like saunas or massage tables, while others are geared more to mental health—a spot for zen, meditation, or journaling.

And while these spaces are sometimes used for physical exercise, they shouldn’t be confused with home gyms.

“Where a gym is focused on effort and output—lifting, cardio, movement—a wellness room is about recovery, restoration, and mental clarity,” Liebowitz says. “We’re building spaces with saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, and meditation zones. It’s about supporting physical, emotional, and spiritual health.”

Popular elements of a wellness room

Liebowitz says the most-requested feature for a wellness room is, by far, a sauna, explaining that it’s the “centerpiece” of many wellness rooms his team builds.

And while numerous wellness rooms include at least one big-ticket item like a sauna, cold-plunge pool, cryotherapy, and red-light therapy, this isn’t always the case. Some spaces are used primarily for meditation, relaxing, or journaling, so the space may simply need a yoga mat or cozy seating.

“A wellness room could feature a comfortable armchair with a good reading lamp and a small bookshelf filled with calming literature,” says Berger. “Or, it could have an art easel and supplies for mindful painting or drawing.”

Lee Crowder, the national director of design and model experience for Taylor Morrison, says homeowners can make their room feel luxe by adding built-in cabinets with beverage fridges and ice makers, plus a spot for hot and cold towels.

“Beverage fridges and ice makers have the power to make a wellness space feel like an actual spa,” Crowder explains.

The designer adds that flooring can be another great upgrade, which may include adding heating elements or cushioning underneath the tile or planks.

Justin M. Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency in Portland, OR, says other popular additions include: a small water feature for ambient sound, color-changing LED lighting for mood shifts, a tea station, aromatherapy dispensers, a nap nook with a weighted blanket, or even a sound-bath corner with singing bowls.

“Your wellness room can be as playful or profound as you like,” Riordan adds.

Design tips for a wellness room

Crowder says homeowners don’t just want their wellness rooms to be utilitarian—they should be aesthetically pleasing, too. Many homebuyers have spent time in beautiful spas and want to bring the design and overall style into their own homes.

He says one way to do this is with custom lighting that may include dimmers, temperature changes, or even lighting that follows circadian rhythms.

“Overhead lighting is on its way out and being replaced by thoughtful lighting that is purposeful, including cabinetry with under light, spot-lighting on a fountain or a special piece of art,” Crowder says.

When it comes to furniture, Riordan recommends earth tones plus soft whites and matte finishes. He suggests bringing in textures that invite touch like linen, velvet, cork, and bamboo.

Berger suggests large windows with sheer curtains to diffuse natural light as well as soundproofing measures like the addition of thick rugs or acoustic panels to minimize distractions.

Square footage can be a factor for designing wellness rooms, so for smaller spaces, Berger recommends space-saving additions like wall-mounted shelves that can hold plants and aromatherapy diffusers.

But, if you’re lucky enough to have a larger space, Riordan suggests creating zones like a yoga corner, a reading chaise, or a breath work space. “Think in modules so the space doesn’t feel aimless,” he says.

Do wellness rooms add value?

Wellness rooms can add value to a home, Riordan says, but to get a good return on investment (ROI), homeowners will need to be strategic about which features they spend money on.

“The most expensive wellness rooms are typically recovery-focused spaces,” explains Liebowitz. “Elements like cold plunges, steam rooms, saunas, and hyperbaric chambers require specialized plumbing, electrical, and ventilation systems—it adds up quickly.”

He adds that these features can boost a home’s value, especially in the luxury market where wellness is a growing priority.

“In a luxury home, a wellness room isn’t just a trend, it’s a smart investment,” he says. “Wellness isn’t going out of style—it’s becoming a cornerstone of how people design their lives and their homes. This is a long-term shift toward living well at home.”

Still, Riordan cautions against creating a space that’s too specialized. He says that a Himalayan salt cave, for example, might sound exciting; but it might not be attractive to all buyers.

Instead, he suggests crowd-pleasing and versatile features like custom millwork for built-in shelving, lighting upgrades, integrated sound systems, smart-climate controls, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Keep it luxe, not niche,” he adds.

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