Small changes can make your home, and the time you spend there, more enjoyable
Aren’t we all just a little sick and tired of being at home? Many of us have spent more time in our homes this year than we ever have in the past.
For whatever reason, we have all been cooped up in our homes. If you are anything like me, you are tired of looking at the same walls, same windows, same layout, same clutter, and the same interior design.
I finally put my foot down and decided to make some changes.
- Storage
The first thing that had to change in my home after surviving 2020 was storage. Even while living alone, it is easy for your home to become a disaster. Now add a spouse, kids, and pets into the equation and your home can easily resemble a trainwreck.
If you think about it, a mess is simply caused by things that are not put in their place. If each item has a place that is easily accessible, you are far more likely to put your stuff away.
Shelves are your best friend. However, without small containers to organize things, your belongings will just pile on top of each other and become lost amongst the mess.
Whether we are talking about your kitchen, your closet, or bathroom, you need to get small individual containers so that each object has a place to call home. This organization will make you more likely to put your things back where they belong.
Be creative and get the containers that match the desired feel of the home. Don’t buy the ultra modern-looking storage compartments if you are trying to go for a country-style home.
- Organize your space
As you organize your belongings, you should notice the “themes” of the room. Each room should have 1 or 2 themes that coincide with one another.
Here’s an example: Naturally, all kitchen utensils go in the kitchen and not the bedroom. Why not? because those themes and activities don’t match. Makes sense right?
Each person has the freedom to mix and match themes to their rooms as they see fit. That’s the fun of redesigning your home. However, there are certain things to avoid and there is plenty of science to support it.
The number one mistake I see made is the placement of their work-related items. Since most of us are working from home now, where do we put our office supplies?
A common mistake people make is working from the bedroom. Do not do that! Studies have found that your brain will subconsciously become conditioned to working in your place of rest. This results in many people thinking and stressing about work issues while in their resting place.
If you want to work from home, you will need office space. The problem is most of us do not have an extra room for office space. Try building or buying a backyard office. Nookaspace.com offers a great solution for backyard offices that come fully furnished and equipped with everything you would ever need for your office.
Nooka also delivers their offices anywhere in Europe. They are fully equipped with internet, smart lights, smart heating and air, and pretty much anything else you can think of. They are the best value on the market in my opinion. Having my office outside of my home really helped me clean up and organize my home.
- Paint
Repainting the walls of your house makes your home feel brand new. Your home could be made of 100-year-old bricks, but a fresh coat of paint makes each room feel renewed.
Some studies suggest that the color of a room can have profound impacts on your mood. For the areas where you want to relax, we recommend natural colors. Unnaturally bright colors can be perceived as uncanny and may cause a sense of uneasiness, leading some to feel a sense of anxiety and stress.
Choose a color that is hinting at the colors we see in nature. A little bit of color goes a long way, so try to pick a color that is desaturated. These have been shown to have the most relaxing effect and give an overall welcoming feel. Take a look outside your window and get inspired.
Again, while science may say one thing, it is still your house and you should paint it according to your style and your needs.
- New furniture and appliances
How long have you had that couch you are sitting on? How about that table in your dining room? Be honest with yourself and just admit that it may be time to get some new furniture.
While you may not see your need for new furniture because “it still works,” furniture does not have a complicated function and will almost always work. You simply sit on them. Following that line of logic, you could just set up some rocks in your living room and call it a day. Just because it works doesn’t mean you should use it.
Downsizing or upscaling your furniture will give your home a brand new feel. You will find yourself hanging out in new areas you didn’t even know existed in your home.
Now I know this recommendation is the most pricey so think creatively and prioritize your needs. If you are tired of being indoors but can’t afford new furniture, try moving some of your existing furniture around. You can even upholster your existing furniture to save some cash. Try to think outside the box. A bit of creativity goes a long way.
- Landscape
Your home is not just the inside of your house. Your home is where you live and spend most of your time. This includes the outdoors. Investing a bit of time into the landscaping around your house could make a huge difference.
Having a great curb appeal is not just for selling your home. It is just so nice to have a clean and organized yard. I would bet you are also attracted to great landscaping but you simply don’t know it yet.
Last year I put in a few days of work into our yard and I am still impressed with our yard every time I go outside. Invest some time into your yard, regardless of how big or small it is, and you will not regret it.
Landscaping can also be a fun event for the family. After being cooped up in our homes all year long, it’s about time we go outside and get a breath of fresh air. Plant a tree, build a garden, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Conclusion
When it’s all said and done, what really matters is for you to feel comfortable in your own home. For me personally, I could not stand working in my home. There were too many distractions and I found myself never being able to fully separate myself from work. Getting a backyard office with Nooka was a game-changer for me.
Also, taking care of the land outside of my house was a huge change for us. My family loved helping, we have great memories working together.
Landscaping was cheap, it gave the house a whole new look, and it created a perfect place to hang out outdoors. Now, walking to my office is enjoyable and I can see my family play outside while im working.
If you are tired of your living space, take one or two of these tips and create a safe haven for you according to your desire.
