If you’re a celebrity who owns a vast multi-dollar mansion and a team of housekeepers, staying at home for months wouldn’t be such a bummer. The problem is, you’re not. Your space is small, cramped, and messy – and this extended quarantine period (with no particular finish line) is obviously driving you nuts.
Give yourself (and your home) some much-needed therapy during the lockdown and work on these 7 fulfilling and anxiety-relieving home improvement projects instead.
1. Do a stress-busting cleaning session
Before the quarantine, cleaning seems like a major chore that we tend to put on hold. Now, cleaning can actually be a much-needed release and even a way to relieve your anxiety. Disinfecting your home, especially high-contact surfaces gives you peace of mind and makes you feel better about staying in.
2. Make your home look and feel bigger
Your small space doesn’t need to feel like a cramped prison cell or cage – you can turn the four walls of your home into a tiny haven you’d love waking up to.
Give yourself a favor and make your home look and feel bigger and more comfortable. Aside from decluttering, you may use a few decorating hacks like sticking to light and airy neutral palette, getting rid of bulky furniture, using cozy accessories, and brightening up your space with natural light.
3. Refresh your space
Kill the monotony of waking up to the same, old home design by giving your home a makeover every week or two.
Modify your home’s layout. Rearrange your furniture. Reorganize your books. Regroup your pottery. Change your home’s color palette or theme. Swap framed photos and artworks. Replace your window coverings, throws, and rugs. Introduce bold colors, patterns, and textures to your neutral space. Add some greenery.
It’s fun to mix and match your favorite pieces and make your beloved humble home look and feel fresh again.
4. Work on a Pinterest-worthy DIY project
Want to upcycle an old furniture piece? Or add some pizzazz to your home accessories like pots, tissue boxes, frames, clocks, and figurines? Want to build a nice floating shelf from scrap wood? Or install a chalkboard in your boring kitchen cupboards? Have you been wanting to have your very own coffee bar or a shrine for your mug collection?
If your previous busy working schedules kept you from getting artsy and crafty, now is the perfect time to do so. No excuses!
5. Paint something
Want to transform your space without calling the best home builders in town? Give your home a little refresher with a fresh coat of paint.
Paint an accent wall. Repaint the cabinets and bookshelves, or even just their insides and edges. Add a pop of color to your home accessories by repainting them. If you’re not ready for the commitment, you can grab some art materials, paint a blank canvas, and hang your artwork on your focal wall.
6. Create a makeshift office space
Do you work from home? It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a separate office or even an office desk. There are small steps you can take to create a functional home workspace in your bedroom, living room, or dining room.
How much space will you need? Would you like to be near natural light? Would you need an outlet close by? What are the things you need to be within reach? Is your working space far from distractions, like TV noises or clattering of pans in the kitchen? A decent table and comfortable chair will suffice as a makeshift desk, for as long as you have everything you need to be productive.
7. Designate a workout space
Just because you can’t go to the gym doesn’t mean you do your workout routines. All you need to do is to designate a space for your fitness routine that’s large enough for your yoga mat and your fitness equipment.
These simple but rewarding home improvement projects not only help beautify your home – but they are also productive ways to keep your mind off things in the midst of a global crisis.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a resident writer for Wincrest Bespoke, one of NSW’s most experienced and well-renowned home builders aiming at building and designing modern family homes in Sydney. She loves looking out for new home décor trends and writing articles focused on real estate and interior design.