As the demand for healthier, sustainable living environments surges, new home builders and developers have a unique opportunity to lead the charge in creating wellness-focused communities. We believe that integrating wellness principles into home and community design isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of real estate. Drawing insights from the Healthy Home and Community Design Toolkit program presented at the 2025 International Builders’ Show, here’s how you can craft spaces that resonate with modern homebuyers while boosting your bottom line.

Why Wellness Matters to Homebuyers

Today’s consumers are prioritizing wellness like never before. According to the McKinsey & Company Future of Wellness 2024 Survey, 83% of consumers consider wellness a top or important priority in their daily lives. The Global Wellness Institute’s 2023 Economy Monitor predicts a 15.8% annual growth rate in the global wellness economy through 2028, with wellness real estate growing at an impressive 18.1% from 2019-2023. Homebuyers aren’t just looking for a house—they want homes and communities that enhance their physical, mental, and social well-being.

This shift is clear in consumer preferences. The NAHB SmartBrief 2024 highlights that 30% of builders prioritize creating healthier homes, driven by market demand and the desire to do the right thing. By aligning your projects with these values, you can differentiate your developments in a competitive market.

The Six Domains of Wellness Communities

To meet this demand, consider the six domains of wellness outlined in the toolkit: Social, Physical, Mental, Environmental, Economic, and Civic. These pillars guide the creation of communities that foster connection, health, and sustainability. Here’s how you can incorporate them:

  • Social: Design spaces that encourage interaction, like communal parks, gathering hubs, or cultural event venues. Include recreational areas for play and community networks to build support systems.
  • Physical: Prioritize walkable layouts, bike paths, and access to fresh food sources. Integrate wellness-focused floor plans with ample natural light and air quality considerations.
  • Mental: Create calming environments with green spaces, quiet zones, and access to mindfulness programs.
  • Environmental: Use sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems. Opt for low-VOC paints, formaldehyde-free products, and CARB 2-compliant materials to reduce health risks.
  • Economic: Design affordable, efficient floor plans that appeal to diverse buyers while maintaining wellness standards.
  • Civic: Foster community engagement through spaces that encourage civic participation, like town halls or volunteer centers.

By weaving these elements into your projects, you create communities that not only attract buyers but also command premium value. The toolkit notes that some of the nation’s most thriving communities have achieved financial success through thoughtful wellness integration.

Transparency Builds Trust

Homebuyers today are savvy—they want transparency about the materials used in their homes. The toolkit emphasizes tools like Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Health Product Declarations (HPD), and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) to provide clarity. Guide your buyers by highlighting certifications from trusted organizations like Home Innovation Research Labs or WELL Building Standards. Look for labels like “no-VOC,” “chemical-free,” or “organic,” and steer clear of products flagged with “warning” or “hazard.” For example, ensure formaldehyde levels in materials like plywood (0.05 ppm) or MDF (0.11 ppm) meet or exceed industry standards. When your interior designer has their Wellness within Your Walls certification, as Lita does, there is a 10-step holistic approach for wellness in the home:

  1. Clean Air
  2. Clean Water
  3. Natural Light
  4. Chemical Control
  5. Physical Wellness
  6. Spiritual Wellness
  7. Mental Wellness
  8. Conscious Consumption
  9. Food Science
  10. Behavioral Strategies

By equipping homebuyers with clear information about wellness-focused materials and certifications, as outlined in the toolkit, developers can seamlessly integrate these principles into actionable strategies that enhance the health and appeal of their projects.

Practical Strategies for Success

Here are actionable steps to integrate wellness into your developments:

  1. Leverage Consumer Research: Use analytics to understand what buyers value most—wellness, sustainability, and quality of life. Tailor your designs to these insights.
  2. Optimize Floor Plans: Create efficient, affordable layouts that maximize natural light, ventilation, and space for wellness activities like home gyms or meditation corners.
  3. Incorporate Lifestyle Programming: Offer community amenities like fitness classes, farmers’ markets, or mental health workshops to enhance resident well-being.
  4. Choose Healthier Materials: Partner with suppliers who provide vetted, sustainable products. Third-party certifications add credibility and appeal.
  5. Plan Thoughtfully: Design with walkability, green spaces, and connectivity in mind to create vibrant, healthy communities.

Partner with Us to Bring Wellness to Life

From selecting low-impact materials to designing spaces that promote calm and connection, we collaborate with builders and developers to create homes that stand out. Our expertise aligns with the strategies outlined by industry leaders like Jillian Pritchard Cooke of Wellness Within Your Walls, Cassie Cherry of Danielian Associates, and John Barrows of P3 Builder Group.

Ready to build communities that inspire healthier living and drive sales? Contact us today to explore how we can partner to design homes and neighborhoods that meet the demands of tomorrow’s buyers. Let’s create spaces where wellness thrives—inside and out.