The German concept lüften, which means airing out, recently made headlines for its practice of opening a home’s windows for a few minutes, even in the dead of winter, to usher in fresh air.  

While lüften, or house “burping” as it’s called in viral social posts, may be trending, the desire to improve indoor air quality is nothing new. During COVID, consumers became acutely aware of poor indoor air quality, often citing Environmental Protection Agency statistics showing that while we spend 90% of our time indoors, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.

Trends and statistics aside, consumers want homes that function like personal sanctuaries, incorporating wellness into everyday routines to support physical, mental, and environmental health, according to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors.

“More homeowners are demanding spaces that don’t just look good but also make them feel good,” the study states. Incidentally, while these amenities may cost a little more upfront, houses designed around wellness are holding value, too, often reselling for 10% to 25% more than traditional homes, NAR reports.

“In the last decade, it’s been really cool to see the whole health movement with people paying attention to their surroundings and thinking about how their homes are impacting their health,” says Central Texas builder Rusty Stout, co-owner of JS2 Partners. “It’s not riding a gimmick or a trend,” adds Jen Stout, JS2 co-owner and Rusty’s wife.

Clean Air and Water

Controlling indoor air quality begins with systems that filter air before it circulates through the home. The Stouts recommend filters with a MERV rating of at least 13, though they more typically use MERV 16; the higher the rating, the smaller the particles captured. These filters also work as air recirculates, trapping pollen, carpet fibers, bacteria, pet dander, and more.

The couple, who co-wrote the book Healthier Homes: A Blueprint for Creating a Toxin-Free Living Environment, also recommend whole-house dehumidification systems and ventilating bathrooms and laundry areas for proper moisture control. “We filter and dehumidify the air before it enters the home; it’s all tied together in the main HVAC unit,” Jen says. “For us, air purification is paramount.”

Likewise, many builders endorse whole-house water filtration systems installed at the main water line. “It’s one of the great, no-brainers in life: You have to filter your water,” says John Rusk, founder of New York City-based Rusk Renovations, who has studied water filtration for the past 25 years. Under-counter filtration in a room such as the kitchen is a less expensive alternative. “That way, you can filter only as much as you need,” he says.

To better understand the waterborne contaminants that exist in your water, Rusk suggests having it tested, a service most municipalities offer.

Biophilic Design

At its core, immersive biophilic design relies on bio-based materials and high-performance windows that flood interiors with daylight and connect a building’s occupants to the landscape.

“Feeling grounded and relaxed in your space is integral to our building philosophies,” Rusty says. “You need to think about all the ingredients around you—the amenities that help you detox. For us, that starts with using natural materials, which don’t off gas.”

The couple also specify aluminum double-paned, thermally broken windows, which have an airtight seal, and they plan those windows to infuse as much natural light as possible.

Surfaces such as cork floors, maple cabinets, and natural stone counters further the connection to nature—not only because the materials’ ingredients are healthy, but because they add a visual aesthetic that can be calming. “We like using the same natural stone or masonry from the exterior and bringing it inside so you’re continuing that same feeling,” Rusty says.

Specialty Features

Innovative fixtures from lighting to faucets often take the inhabitant’s physical and mental well-being into account, as well.

Layering a mix of task, ambient, and accent lighting along with voice-controlled activations that automatically adjust to preset light levels can instantly set a mood. “By layering light, we try to create a hotel vibe where the light can be muted if that’s what you want,” Rusty says. “It’s like walking into your home is like getting a hug. It’s a break from all the chaos, and you feel calm and relaxed.”

In the kitchen, advances in appliances mean refrigerators can extend the lifespan of fresh produce (reducing food waste), while a shift from gas ranges to induction cooktops—mandated in some municipalities—is proving both safer and more energy efficient.

Kitchen in Pound Ridge, New York, by Carbon Custom Builders. Photo by Jon Day Photography.

In the bathroom, smart faucets with touch or touchless controls promote more sanitary environments and water efficiency, while upgraded medicine cabinets and tech-enabled smart toilets can provide personal health insights. It’s this integration of in-home diagnostics—not simply fixture upgrades—that the Global Wellness Summit highlights as a 2026 “Future of Wellness” trend.

“The idea is simple: Lasting health change happens not during a weeklong retreat, but in the environments we inhabit every day,” the report states. “Future homes may be judged not by the square footage or amenities, but by how well they support health span across decades—transforming housing into an active participant in how we age.”

Sanctuary Spaces

Beyond the home gym, homeowners want dedicated spaces for restoration, from infrared saunas to tech-free quiet rooms that support mental and physical recovery. Amenities once confined to commercial spas—where consumers first dipped their toes into cold plunges and mineral-infused pools—are also being integrated into residential design.

“The overall bath footprint will increase to make room for wellness-centered spaces,” according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 Bath Trends report. More than half of the study’s respondents say a larger shower size is more important than a bathtub to allow for steam options, saunas, aroma- and chromotherapy, and integrated seating and shelving.

Entire bathrooms are even being reimagined as wet rooms. A trip to a Polish spa recently inspired Sam Fertik, founder of Carbon Custom Builders in Pound Ridge, New York, to replicate the experience of pressurized hydrotherapy “that felt like a massage” into the homes he designs and builds.

The builder is working now on a house where he designed the primary bath to act as a spa. On one side, there’s a rain shower for everyday use, but at the other end of the room, a 5-foot by 11-foot steam shower is powered by three jets on either side with a 2-foot-square, built-in rain head on the ceiling.

“You’re sitting on that bench and getting sprayed from all around, and then there’s two huge steam slots and a window that looks out to the valley and down to the lake,” he says. “The idea is when you want to sit down and have a real spa experience, you’ve got it all right there. It’s pretty incredible.”