Have you ever thought about how your home makes you feel? The environments that we encounter can have a major bearing on our wellbeing, and for most of us, there’s no place more important than home.
If your house doesn’t give you that warm and fuzzy feeling or you tend to feel more stressed when you’re at home, it’s time to make a few changes. Your home should be a place that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. If this isn’t the case, here are some simple hacks that will enable you to create your very own haven.
Declutter
It’s the word that is on everybody’s lips at the moment. Decluttering. At the beginning of a new year, it can be hugely therapeutic to have a clear out and get rid of anything that you don’t want or need. If you’ve drawers packed full of cables for TVs you threw out years ago, or your closet is laden with items you couldn’t even remember you had, it’s time to embark upon a full-scale decluttering project.
Clutter doesn’t just look unsightly. It’s also a cause of stress, and it can prevent you from feeling at ease in your own home. The good news about decluttering is that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to reap the rewards. As soon as that first room is done, you’ll feel so much better. Adopt a methodical approach as you move through your home.
Arm yourself with trash bags, and try and be realistic and a touch brutal when it comes to deciding what you want to keep. If you haven’t used something for years, throw it away unless it has sentimental value. If you’ve got items, such as pieces of clothing, bags, or books or DVDs that are in good condition, create a separate pile and donate this mound to charity.
Once you’ve got rid of any unwanted possessions, tidy your home, vacuum and mop floors, and assess your storage situation. If you’ve still got stuff that doesn’t have a home, consider investing in boxes, tubs, and crates, make use of storage space in under-stair cupboards, attics, and basements, and explore options like wall-mounted shelves and furniture that has inbuilt storage. If you’re shopping for a new bed, for example, you could choose a style that has drawers in the base of the frame.
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Finishing off DIY projects
When you’re sitting on the sofa trying to relax after a long day, do you find yourself staring at the door hanging off its hinges or thinking about the loose tiles in the bathroom?
Niggling DIY jobs can disrupt your calm, and cause you to stress about the jobs you haven’t got around to completing. If your list is growing, write down exactly what needs to be done, set aside some time, and work your way through that list. You might be able to do the work yourself, but if you need an extra pair of hands, don’t be afraid to call in favors from friends and family. If there are tasks on there that don’t fill you with confidence, it may be best to seek expert help.
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Minor sprucing
Has your home lost that shiny newness it had when you first moved in? Could it do with some TLC? If you can look around and be proud of what you see, this will do wonders for your wellbeing. On the other hand, if you’re not inspired by your decor, and you’re drawn to elements that are dated or drab, there are lots of simple ways you can spruce up your home to make it look and feel better.
It’s really important to have a positive connection with your home so that you feel calm, happy, and tranquil. Take your bathroom as an example. If you long to zone out and chill out in a lovely hot bubble bath after a busy day, it doesn’t take a team of people and a full-scale makeover to create a beautiful space. If your bathroom is dated, there’s a lack of space, or it has a clinical, rather than an inviting feel, tackle existing problems like
Use CT1 adhesive to seal baths and showers, freshen up the paintwork, and make use of wall space if you’re pushed for floor space. Choose a light shade and place a mirror on the wall to brighten up the room and create the illusion of more space, and hang shelves on the walls. You can add color with coordinated accessories like toothbrush holders, bath mats and plant pots. In the kitchen, painting old units and giving the walls a lick of paint can make a huge difference.
Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-bathroom-interior-1454804/
Creating a relaxing, soothing environment
If you dream of walking through your front door and feeling your shoulders drop and your limbs loosen, there are myriad ways you can create a more soothing environment. Once you’ve decluttered and tackled those half-baked DIY jobs, focus your attention on the details. Use low-level lighting, candles, and fairy lights to add ambiance, and create areas that are designed purely for relaxation. Your bedroom, for example, should act as a restful retreat.
Avoid harsh lighting, use storage to prevent mounds of clothing and other stuff collecting on the floor and opt for colors like white, gray, pastel shades and light blues and greens to help you relax. Add houseplants to your kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and home office, and consider eliminating technology from a room in the house or a section of your sitting room or kitchen-diner. Use this space to read, listen to music, or simply just sit and embrace the peace and quiet.
Picture credit https://kaboompics.com/photo/2724/collection-of-grey-and-white-pillows
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