We’ve spent more time than ever in our homes over the past year. Chances are, your space is starting to feel a little dull and overused, if not downright chaotic. Our makeshift work-from-home spaces and at-home gyms don’t exactly spell “peace” for most of us.
As spring rolls in with its full force, we could all benefit from a bit of a home refresh.
Instead of staring at the same walls wishing for a total decor overhaul, use these three tips to spruce up your space and breathe a little easier – without spending a great deal of money. Your Netflix binge-session can wait for a couple more hours.
1. Focus on Your Outdoor Living Areas
Winter weather likely decreased the amount of time you spent breathing fresh air on your patio or back porch. Now, with spring blossoming, why not embrace more of an outdoor living setup?
Even if you just step outside for five to fifteen minutes of sunlight a couple of times a day, you’ll feel the physical and mental benefits of vitamin D. Nothing leaves you feeling more refreshed than a break from the indoors – especially when you spend most of your time there.
Our first recommendation is to purge your current outdoor furniture and decor. If things are old, stained, or unusable, toss or donate them. Your outdoor space won’t feel “refreshed” if everything is ancient and covered in a thick layer of dust.
Speaking of dust, give your outdoor space a thorough rinse and wipe down. You won’t want to spend time outside if there are cobwebs on the patio ceiling and piles of dead leaves all over the floor.
Lastly, think about upgrading your seating area and table. Check out a patio furniture buying guide to find items that actually suit your space and style. Remember to think about function: you need patio furniture that conveys a certain aestheticbut that is also conducive to lounging, dining, or whatever other activities you want to conduct outside.
2. Add a Splash of Fresh Color
Believe it or not, the colors on your home’s walls actually affect how you feel mentally. As color consultant Leslie Harrington said,” What color you paint your walls isn’t just a matter of aesthetics. It’s a tool that can be leveraged to affect emotions and behavior.”
If you’re feeling uninspired or a little stir-crazy in your home, consider adding a fresh coat of paint. Liven up your space with a color that contributes to feelings of peace and cleanliness. Whites and warm colors are great for feelings of purity while blues and greens can give you a sense of calm.
You can also think about adding an accent wall, either with paint or wallpaper, to really bring a room to life. Get a little creative – make your home feel new and exciting once more.
3. Clean the Things You Often Ignore
When was the last time you cleaned your oven? Your refrigerator? Your washer or dryer?
Obviously, suggesting “spring cleaning” is hardly an original recommendation, but we can’t downplay the importance of tidying up and sanitizing when it comes to freshening up your home.
Make a list of all of the appliances in your home and indicate which ones haven’t been cleaned in a long time. From your garbage disposal to your vacuum cleaner, there are plenty of devices that could be contributing to a less-than-fresh, stale atmosphere in your space.
Additionally, refer to an air conditioning guide to tackle your HVAC unit. Your heater sees a lot of use during the winter and could likely use a little TLC. At the same time, your air conditioning is about to start running more often as the outdoor temperatures rise.
You want the incoming cool air to feel fresh and healthy, not full of allergens like dust and dirt. If you use air purifiers in your home, don’t forget to clean them, too.
Finally, take a look at those rugs throughout your house. You probably vacuum them occasionally, but how often do you really clean them?
Your carpet and rugs can hold dust mites, pet urine, dust, insect feces, bacteria, mold, and plenty of allergens. If you want your space to feel truly “fresh” this spring, consider professionally cleaning all of your carpeted floors and rugs.
In Conclusion
You don’t need a hefty budget to make big changes in your home. Now, more than ever, it’s a good idea to deep clean and refresh your home decor so that you feel a little more at peace in your space.
How you feel in your personal space has a big influence on your overall mental – especially when you’re socially distancing and staying home. Take the necessary time to spruce up your outdoor spaces, walls, and appliances. Trust us: you’ll feel the difference.
