Last April 19, New York Times released an article defining the state of mind we have collectively experienced for the past year. Languishing, Adam Grant writes, is the in-between of joy and sadness. It is the feeling of emptiness as you go through the motions of life, confined within the four corners of your home.
During the start of 2020, our alarm bells were going off. Along with the urgent runs to the grocery and transfer of our work online, the first half of last year was hectic. Eventually, we developed a routine that created a sense of normalcy. We would wake up, prepare breakfast, start working, try a new passion project, and call friends for a weekly game night. As the pandemic has continued and prolonged, we can no longer deny the lingering dread.
For some of us, the pandemic might have been a heartbreaking experience. For others, last year has led us to extend a helping hand to our neighbors. This 2021, let’s actively fight against this feeling and work towards recovery and healing.
While we’re not able to fully enjoy the outdoors just yet, we can welcome positivity and embrace hope by creating it in our home. Here are five things we recommend you changing to liven up your home.
- Deep Clean
First, on our list, I would recommend prioritizing your home’s hygiene. We are familiar with simple hygiene practices like hand washing and wearing surgical masks, but how can we protect ourselves at home?
The simple answer is to clean our place as regularly as we can. If you or your partner have to go out for work or errands, make sure that you follow this two-step method:
- Clean Often: Spray tables, counters, and other surfaces with distilled white vinegar and leave it for a few minutes. If you’re not used to the smell of vinegar, you can mix water and baking soda instead. After a short wait, you can wipe it down using a cloth with warm water. This should be done at least once a week.
- Disinfect Always: After you eat, cook, enter your home or even sneeze, you need to disinfect hard surfaces using a spray or solution
- Pick a theme
Before changing things up in your home, you should choose the main idea that will coordinate your decorating choices. Here are four examples that you can follow:
- Traditional: Traditional styles follow the classic and comfortable. The colors are calm, simple, and soothing. Everything is predictable and orderly.
- Casual: Sometimes called a Country theme, a casual home is cozy and welcoming. There is an abundance of rectangular and round elements, rustic designs, plant fixtures, textured fabrics, and soft furnishings.
- Formal: Think British royalty. Your home should exude symmetry, elegance, and refinement. You can consider renovating some rooms to have higher ceilings and tall windows. If not, you can try antique furniture, polished woods, ornate rugs, and decorative trims for your interior.
- Contemporary: Modern or minimalist trends are a growing trend lately, where everything should be simple yet sophisticated. Homes that have a modern style have neutral colors and geometric furniture and decor.
- Rearrange your things and declutter
Now that you’ve decided what style you want to adopt, it’s time to rearrange your things and get rid of those that no longer serve you. Apart from being able to organize your home, you are also making space for new things. This is a great way to start fresh and welcome healing.
If you’re not comfortable with letting some of your things go, you can consider rotating your clothes or things every few months. For example, your winter clothes can be kept in one container under your bed. That way, your closet has more space for your spring or summer outfits.
- Choose a new wallpaper and decor
Once all of your things have been rearranged, you have a clearer picture of what you want your home to look like.
When choosing a wallpaper for your home, it should suit the theme that you’re going for. If you want a formal theme, large patterns and dramatic colors would be the best choice. For something casual and quirky, smaller motifs like polka dots are a great choice.
Of course, your home update won’t be complete without getting decorations that fit your style. If you’re up for a DIY project, you can take an inventory of your current decor and see which ones you can revamp and restyle. Better yet, you can paint a portrait that matches your theme. Splatter some paint on some canvas for some abstract art or do an oil painting of your dog.
- Update your appliances
While this is an optional step, you can also consider updating your appliances to match your theme. Get a coffee machine that is bright red or matte black and make it the centerpiece of your kitchen. Go wild with your ideas!
Along with your kitchen appliances, you can also check if your security system needs updating. Sometimes, home renovations expose your home to different suppliers who will drop off things at your home.
As this year progresses, let us work our way towards a more holistic recovery. By sprucing up your home, you can improve your mental and emotional health and help you look forward to more positive changes.
