Article by Suzie Wilson
Tips and tricks to make your space a place of rest and wellness.
Home may be where the heart is, but it is also where stress and strain can reside if you let it. Things like clutter, disorganization, and hidden health hazards that you might not even realize can leave us on edge and strip away the enjoyment we are supposed to feel at home. It does not have to be this way, and today’s tips can serve as seeds of change for a healthier, happier home life.
Photos By AG wants your home to be more than beautiful and is pleased to present today’s blog.
Defining Your Needs
Before you make any changes to your home, first define what you need. Are you craving a space to meditate? Do you want to start a garden? Do you think your home is contributing to your poor health? Ask yourself these and other questions and then make a list of things you and your family need. A quick note here: if you choose to make significant upgrades, like adding a sunroom or a home office, take pictures before the contractors arrive, and make sure to keep receipts. This way, you will have them handy if you decide to sell later and the appraiser needs you to justify a higher selling price.
A Clean Slate
No matter what your goals, it’s almost always best to start with a clean slate. Ideally, you can clear your entire house out room by room so that each area can receive a thorough cleaning, which should include shampooing the carpet and dusting the baseboards. Then, you can get rid of all the things you don’t want, and use boxes or bins and a label maker to sort and organize those you do want. Your labels can be as decorative or plain as you like, and there are many free design tools online.
Preventative Maintenance
Next on your list should be scheduling services or performing routine tune-ups that keep your home healthy. This includes having your HVAC inspected, which can help eliminate dust from the air inside of your home. Your HVAC tech can help you choose filters that are best for your family and lifestyle. You might also call your exterminator to take a peek at the hidden corners and crannies of your house, where cockroaches, rodents, and spiders might hide. Breathing in debris and excrement left behind by these and other creatures can lead to cold-like symptoms and, in rare cases, serious health problems.
Mood and Attitude
Your home should not only lend well to your physical health but to your mental health as well. With this in mind, make sure that your windows open so that you can allow the fresh air to permeate your interior. You might also consider painting a color scheme that is either neutral or calming. Pay attention to how each room is lit as well, as bright lights in the bedroom may keep you awake at night while a dimly lit office can make you less productive, which can stress you out.
Your home should not make you feel that you wish to be elsewhere. By spending an afternoon each week making small changes, such as painting or swapping the light bulbs, you will have a happier environment that is more conducive to your lifestyle. You can also choose to make more substantial upgrades that will enhance your quality of life and, in many cases, boost your home’s value.
If you’re looking for inspiration on ways to design, declutter, and decorate, look no further than our interior photo gallery.
