The pandemic has changed how we normally do things. It required us to observe social distancing and proper hygiene etiquette all the time, including wearing a face mask. It has even forced us to stay at home for safety as well as to help stop the spread of viruses.
Staying at home may sound nice or feel right initially. You can get plenty of sleep, wear whatever you fancy, have unlimited access to the fridge, and just do pretty much everything you want. Unfortunately, being quarantined at home for several weeks or months can take it’s toll too.
If you’re not used to working or staying at home all the time, then this could be a major adjustment. It can either be stressful or boring, or it can trigger anxiety. Luckily, there are simple things you can do to make your home a better place to relax or work remotely during the quarantine. Here’s how:
Re-organize your home and get rid of the clutter
Disorganization throughout your home isn’t relaxing at all. It spells chaos and too much clutter can even affect your mental state. So now that you’re at home most of the time, it’s time to do some decluttering.
Clutter can drain your time and energy especially because the disorganization can make finding things a lot harder. On the opposite, an organized and clutter-free home makes you feel energetic, calm, and relaxed. If the current state of your home is chaotic, you may find it overwhelming to start. But take heart, you can do it one small step at a time.
Start with decluttering the busiest area in your home or space where you’d like to spend most of the time. Organize and throw everything that no longer serves a purpose. You don’t need to tackle this in one whole day. You can just commit to spending a specific hour or time every day just to do cleaning, organizing, or de-cluttering a certain area. And with the clutter gone, you can feel accomplished, more relaxed, and calm during the quarantine period.
Freshen up your living room
The living room is one of the most used areas where you and your family can relax or hang together. This is why making it more relaxing to stay with should be on your list.
You can start by changing or rearranging your furniture and place it in a more comfortable and intimate setting. Then experiment with natural or neutral colors to make it more relaxing. Add some extra pillows on the couch too.
You should also use textures that are visually appealing and soft to touch. For layering effect and or to create a focal point, don’t forget to place carpets and rugs. These also create softness underfoot as well as make your living space look calmer and relaxing.
Let nature in
Indoor plants aren’t just notoriously good for your indoor air as it is known to purify and clean it. But plants are also great at helping you achieve a more relaxed surrounding and vibe. Indoor plants also adapt very well to whatever interior design you have, making it a very versatile ornament.
Greens
Green plants are incredibly soothing. They can scientifically help improve your health and wellness. They can release more oxygen into the air, filter and clean it, and can even balance indoor humidity.
Flowers
Placing flowers in different areas in your home not only can provide an amazing visual but it can make any room fragrant. The aromatic scent of flowers can help you keep calm and relax. Though, make sure that the scent isn’t too strong as it can create an opposite effect.
Work with light
Natural sunlight is the surest way to lift your spirits and help you calm down. So do set up your space in such a way that you can maximize natural daylight. And when it’s sundown, make sure that you have a proper lighting scheme for the evening.
Experiment with Color
The color psychology science is true—colors can indeed affect your mood. Thus, consider using colors to your advantage. Since you’re aiming to make your home more relaxing you should opt for natural tones. Alternatively, use a neutral palette as your base then add a minimal accent to avoid becoming boring.
Make your bedroom more relaxing
Your bedroom should always be inviting and comfortable. Hence, during this quarantine take your time to check what else you can do to make it more relaxing.
It could be time to invest in a good bedsheet and add softer rugs. See also if you need a new mattress or replace your pillows. Re-decorate your bedroom so that going to bed will always be a good experience.
Don’t forget your kitchen
The kitchen too is one of the most-visited areas of your home. Accordingly, create a relaxing kitchen by first making sure it’s free of clutter and smelly trash. Organize your kitchen starting from spices, to kitchen wares and utensils.
Technology zone
The constant interaction with technology has been proven to be bad for your mental health and overall wellbeing. It’s easy to be glued to your devices all the time especially during the quarantine. Thus, make a way to resist the temptation and avoid it as possible.
You can do this by designating a technology zone area. Here, you can use your technology only for a designated time. This way, you can easily transition to a relaxed state when you move next to a non-technology zone. Plus if you have enough space you can think about air dancers as it will make your space funnier and more relaxing.
Scent the air
A good smelling home is always a good idea. Add fresh scents by using natural air fresheners that have relaxing and calming effects. Start practicing aromatherapy in your home by using scented candles, essential oils, or fresh flowers.
Dedicate a space for relaxation
Finally, create a sanctuary where the only thing you will do is to relax. This space or comfort zone should help you relieve stress. Ideally, the space is wide enough to help you do certain activities like yoga or meditation, or read comfortably, and others.
Key Takeaway
The current situation is stressful enough. And staying at home for a prolonged period can worsen things. Keep your sanity by doing the above simple tricks to make your home a more relaxing place to stay.
Author: Leila Amber
Leila Amber is a Design Trend Setter at Carpet Centre and a passionate writer, home decor and design enthusiast. She has a keen interest in the content that inspires her to dig deeper into the practice and create helpful design and decor guides.