Guest Blogger: Home Design Tips for Allergy Sufferers

Guest Blogger #279, Entry #807, December 1, 2011

You might think that allergies only await you when you step out the door of your house or if you eat a dish that contains peanuts or shellfish.  But if you don’t believe that allergies are lurking right under your nose, within the walls of your home, then you’d better think again.  Air quality inside a house is often worse than anything found outdoors thanks to dust, pet dander, mold, cigarette smoke, chemical cleaning solvents, and potentially even carbon monoxide (amongst other things).  And while frequent and thorough cleanings can do a world of good for allergy sufferers, those who are in the enviable position of designing their house can do a lot more to ensure that the presence of common allergens in the home is greatly reduced.

Design your interiors to ward off allergy culprits in your home

Design of your home

For starters, a house that is still in the framing stage (or even fully built, for that matter) can be equipped with an HVAC system that is custom made for allergy control.  In truth, it is not the ductwork that matters the most; it is the equipment and filters attached to them that make a real difference.  First and foremost, your heating and cooling systems need to be properly ventilated to keep allergens from being recirculated throughout your home.  And while dehumidifiers should help to keep down the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria, you’ll almost certainly want to install an HVAC system that allows for the use of HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters that will remove more dust and airborne allergens than the standard fare.

Sophisticated design

If you want to get really fancy you could even install a system that pulls in (and filters) outside air at the ground level, uses vacuum suction to pull air (and allergens) towards the ceiling, and then dumps the particulate-laden air back outside.  You can even plant trees outside intake vents to provide oxygen-rich air.  Believe it or not, sophisticated systems like this already exist (forward thinking casinos are using them to remove cigarette smoke from their game floor and provide more breathable air for patrons).  The system even cools the air to reduce humidity and cut down on the cost of air conditioning.

Simple design tips

But if you don’t want to spend an arm and leg on such a high-tech system, there are still options to help you out.  For example, you could create a space that has few plush surfaces (which tend to grab and hold allergens).  You can install hardwood throughout or opt for eco-friendly stained concrete flooring (instead of carpeting that will release allergens with every step you take).  And you can furnish your home with leather couches and chairs.  Of course, you don’t exactly want to sleep on a slab of marble, so your bedding will likely be plush.  But with Allergy Armor Ultra bedding (and frequent washing) you can even reduce allergens on unavoidably plush surfaces.

Consider your interior choices when selecting an allergen free lifestyle

Image via: Freshome

Once you’re comfortably living in your space there are other steps you can take to keep your environment allergy-free, such as placing air purifiers in each room, cleaning often (with green cleaners), installing CO sensors, and scheduling regular energy assessments to ensure that outside air isn’t leaking in.  But by designing a space that is less likely to hold allergens in the first place, you upkeep efforts will remain minimal and you’ll enjoy a home interior that can be a true sanctuary from the allergens that cause you discomfort.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.