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By Rebecca Fending
At this point, some of us may be tired of hearing the latest news about COVID-19. Learning about rising numbers and rates can be overwhelming to our mental well-being. So, as a way to cope with the pandemic, several expert sources recommend taking on cleaning and renovation projects in your home as a way to steady your mental and emotional health. Here are a few simple tasks you can do to brighten your home and your mind.
An Order of Organization
Taking on an organization task can be daunting depending on the size of your project. It’s always better to start with smaller spaces and slowly work your way towards whipping the larger organization projects into shape. What are some spaces you can start organizing today?
- Closets: Talk about small spaces. Closets tend to be a neglected space in every household. Whether it be the linen closet or walk-in, these smaller areas are hot spots for collecting clutter. When organizing your closet, it’s best to start with the floor and slowly work your way up towards shelves or hanging clothes. Don’t be afraid to take this time to donate articles that have fallen out of your fashion sense.
- Bathrooms: Most of us tend to neglect our bathroom when it comes to home organization, as well. However, bathrooms tend to harbor an alarming amount of bacteria beyond just the toilet. Organizing your bathroom also presents the opportunity to do deep disinfecting on the surfaces you normally let go. Make sure your counter top(s) are relatively clutter free to ensure an easy cleaning experience next time.
- Bedrooms: These rooms tend to be the most “lived in” of a house. From the floor to your vanity top, bedroom surfaces can easily become catch-alls for clothes, accessories and various other assorted items. After cleaning and organizing your closet, try washing your bedding, opening your windows and disinfecting any bedside tables or other flat surfaces.
- Kitchen: Organizing your kitchen may be the largest task yet. Not only does it house several large appliances, but if you’re anything like me, you have a countless number of utensils and measuring devices that always seem to tangle themselves together. To organize your kitchen, start with an appliance or small area first, such as your fridge or pantry. Gutting and disinfecting the interior of your fridge is a great way to start your kitchen’s organizational journey.
Don’t be afraid to take a few days to organize any one of these spaces. It can be difficult to tackle one area in an afternoon, but taking it a little day by day ensures promising results.
Light It Up
Another great and relatively inexpensive way to spruce up your home is by updating your lighting fixtures. Whether you’re looking to replace the lamp on the side table that you’ve had for as long as you can remember or you’re tired of looking at the same dining room chandelier, a lighting fixture can transform a room. Not only can a new lighting fixture help modernize your home, but it can also allow brighter and more light in a room. This is another factor that aids in lifting your mood both mentally and emotionally.
If you can’t install a new lighting fixture, try giving your current one a good dusting and polishing to bring its life back.
Mirror, Mirror On the Wall
One of my favorite inventive ways to renovate your home is by installing and framing a simple full-length mirror to the exterior of a closet door. It may not seem like much, but adding mirrors to smaller spaces such as bedrooms can help create an illusion of more space. Following this easy room renovation not only adds a missing element to any room, but it can help widen your home during a time where you may begin to feel cabin fever setting in.
These are just a few ideas for how to spruce up your home while being stuck inside. These small projects make a great way for you to occupy yourself during self-isolation or quarantine and can also help create a schedule for your day. You can do as much or as little as you like, just as long as it helps make your home your happy place.
