Tag: Happy Place Interiors

Episode 86: Trick Yourself Into Healthy Habits With Interior Design with Melanie Zaelich

EPISODE 86: 

EPISODE 86: 

Trick Yourself Into Healthy Habits With Interior Design with Melanie Zaelich

Trick Yourself Into Healthy Habits With Interior Design with Melanie Zaelich

SHOW NOTES

Melanie Zaelich of Happy Place Interiors knows your home isn’t just where you live—it’s shaping your habits, health, and happiness.

Healthy habits don’t stop at the kitchen. Hide reminders inside cabinets, switch to smaller plates, and make movement unavoidable—store things higher, put those stairs to work, and keep music within reach for instant motivation. Lightweight furniture? Perfect for clearing space for workouts or dance parties.

The more convenient life gets, the less we move.

One of the biggest home mistakes? Letting clutter take over—because it’s not just a physical mess, it’s a mental drain. Empty walls might seem minimal, but too bare can feel unfinished. And color? It sets the mood. Keep bedrooms restful, workout spaces energetic, and save bold reds for a statement outfit, not your kitchen walls.

Let tech work for you. Swap harsh overhead lights for smart bulbs and lamps to protect your circadian rhythm. And don’t let clutter creep back—keep a donation bin handy so there’s always an easy exit strategy (clutter in, clutter out).

Want a kitchen that supports healthy habits? Use clear glass containers for effortless meal prep, add an anti-fatigue mat to keep your body happy, and bring in plants or candles to create a space that feels as good as it looks.

Biggest trend right now? Biophilic design—bringing nature indoors for clarity and calm. No green thumb? No problem. Snake plants and Zanzibar gems thrive on neglect.

Simple changes, big impact. When your space feels good, you feel good.

WHAT’S INSIDE:

  • How to inconvenience yourself into a home workout.
  • Little hacks to increase healthy habits.
  • The biggest mistake you're making in your home design.
  • The newest home trend: Biophilic Design.

This episode was packed with hacks and tips to optimize your home to increase healthy habits and keep it aesthetically pleasing. I didn’t even get a chance to tell Melanie all her tips I've put to work since our last chat (episode 22). So, what are you doing in YOUR home to facilitate healthy living? Let me know on Insta!

IMPORTANT LINKS:

ABOUT THE SHOW

Join Oonagh Duncan (fitness expert and bestselling author of Healthy As F*ck/Ditch The Diet) as she examines the habits of kicking ass every day - so you can create a life of no regrets.

Because your dream life (and your dream bod) isn’t just going to happen because you made a vision board. It takes Goals. It takes Grit. And it takes some woo-woo sh*t."

Be sure to hit subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

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Episode 22: Goal: Design Your Home Like A Healthy MFer with Melanie Zaelich

EPISODE 22: 

EPISODE 22: 

Goal: Design Your Home Like A Healthy MFer with Melanie Zaelich

Goal: Design Your Home Like A Healthy MFer with Melanie Zaelich

SHOW NOTES

Are you house blind in a slump of anxiety and stress, OR are you living in a highly healthy MFin’ house?

When Melanie Zaelich became an MFer and let me bully her into cleaning out her pantry, she got to thinking... Healthy habits aren’t just for the kitchen; they belong in every space in your house.

Melanie owns Happy Place Interiors, and she has created a service that connects 5 elements of design with the 7 habits for highly healthy MFers (inspired by my book… ARE YOU KIDDING!?). She calls it Wellness-Focused Interior Design.

So after I composed myself from being so totally flattered, I had to know what this was all about.

In today’s episode, Melanie teaches us all about intentional vibes and the elements of design that you have to consider to get you there. 

1. Sight lines - What do you SEE when you’re standing in your space? Is your kid's stuffed toy chest bringing you peace or stress?
2. Color - The color of walls, furniture, and decor can add or subtract energy from a space. Did you know red actually increases appetite? Yeah, maybe you should skip the red walls in the kitchen.
3. Stuff - How much do you have? I’m telling you to get the junk out of your pantry. Melanie says to get the junk out of your house too!
4. Light - Where are your sources of natural light? Do you have lamps? Lighting really sets the mood (see what I did there?!).
5. Air quality - Plants, plants, plants! They improve the air quality in your home and dramatically change a space.

Interest peaked yet? Already thinking of the danger zones in your home? Don’t miss Melanie’s breakdown of the 7 habits and hear how she helps her clients specifically relate them to spaces in their home.

I’ll give you a sneak, Habit #1: Go the f*ck to sleep... definitely requires design attention in the bedroom.

PS: Oopsie...wrong plant! Melanie meant "Snake Plant". It's low maintenance, needs little water and can live in low to no natural light — making it perfect for almost any situation.

WHAT’S INSIDE:

  • How does the space inside your home affect you, your happiness, and your vibe?
  • Can you really have ‘healthy habits’ in home design?
  • The 5 elements of happy place interiors.
  • The 7 habits for a highly healthy MFin’ house.

We covered colors that increase appetites, self sabotaging storage, and other interesting habits when it comes to house design. What was the most surprising? What are you gonna fix first?

Let me know on Insta!

IMPORTANT LINKS:

ABOUT THE SHOW

Join Oonagh Duncan (fitness expert and bestselling author of Healthy As F*ck/Ditch The Diet) as she examines the habits of kicking ass every day - so you can create a life of no regrets.

Because your dream life (and your dream bod) isn’t just going to happen because you made a vision board. It takes Goals. It takes Grit. And it takes some woo-woo sh*t."

Be sure to hit subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

 Subscribe on iTunes
Subscribe on Play
Listen on Spotify

Sign up below to join Oonagh's exclusive podcast newsletter and get each episode (plus extra insights) delivered right to your inbox.