A home is a place of solace where we can relax and recharge after a full day’s work outside. However, in the past couple of years, the home also became the place of work for many as people avoided going outside because of the pandemic. This has disrupted the work-life balance, affecting our concept of home.
After being cooped up inside the home for months without a clear end in mind, a lot of us have started to suffer from cabin fever. Though it is technically not a medical condition, cabin fever manifests itself through mental and behavioral changes among people who have been afflicted with it. People suffering from cabin fever tend to become more irritable, aggressive, anxious, lethargic, or tense due to lack of social interaction.
Having a change in your environment could help prevent or minimize symptoms of cabin fever. In a survey of around 1,000 respondents, more than 30% have reported experiencing improvement in their mental state and overall well-being after finishing a home improvement project by themselves. On top of this, almost 50% claimed to have fun during the process, as it gave them something new to look forward to.
A home improvement project does not have to be a full-scale renovation. You can customize your home improvement plan based on your budget, available time, and personal preferences. For instance, when you remodel a bathroom, you can change aspects such as the lighting fixtures and the bathroom vanity. It’s great to have a sleek modern double vanity bathroom, and it’s better if you can have two than one. At the end of the day, your home should still reflect who you are as a person, and the priorities are always about your happiness and comfort.
While there are no exact rules when it comes to home improvement, there are a few things you can do to ensure your satisfaction at the end of the project. Here are 7 tips to home extension and make the rooms in your home come to life:
- Assess and Plan
Before you touch anything inside your home, you should first determine which areas and pieces you really like and want to keep. Take this opportunity to get rid of the unnecessary clutter that will only get you more stressed out on regular days. Then take a stock of what’s left, prioritize which ones you want to replace first, and schedule your home improvement plans accordingly.
This is because looking at the whole redecoration project as a whole could make you feel overwhelmed, especially if you are going to do everything yourself. Breaking down the needed improvements in phases would make them less intimidating and more doable. This is also a good approach if you have a limited budget since you can tackle each phase as the budget becomes available without making the rest of your home appear messy and uninhabitable.
- Play with Colors and Lights
The colors you choose for your walls and ceiling, as well as the type of lighting you use, have a significant impact on the overall feel of the room. Avoid dark and dense colors like black or navy blue because these colors tend to create a heavy atmosphere. Instead, consider using soft colors like pastels, light violet, or baby blue since they have a soothing and relaxing effect.
Warm colors like yellow or orange work best in rooms where you stay in during the day, such as the living room or kitchen. Just keep in mind that these shades could come out too strong, so it’s best to choose their lighter versions, or apply them as accents on neutral backgrounds. Also note that typically, warm colors make spaces look bigger, while dark colors make spaces look smaller.
When it comes to lighting, overhead lights are ideal for the kitchen and dining area, but does not do so well in bedrooms as they can make the space look cramped and unappealing. Check out alternative light sources that you can make use of, such as string lights or standing lamps. These will cast softer shadows around the room, making it appear more cozy and conducive for sleep.
- Don’t Forget the Windows
Many homeowners tend to take their windows for granted as just functional objects to allow air inside the home. But double glazing windows Bristol can be more than just that. With the right accessories, you can transform your windows into aesthetic pieces that liven up the room. They could even end up being the highlight of your home.
Mix and match colors, texture, and patterns when dressing up your windows. For best results, consider getting customized shutters, blinds from door blinds uk, and curtains for different areas in your home to create a unique personality for each area. We provide free in-home measurements and quotations at ShutterUp. Get in touch with us and our staff would be happy to assist you with your inquiries.
- Bring the Outdoors In
Since we can’t go out as freely as we want, the next best option is to convert our home into an extension of nature. Studies show that surrounding yourself with plants at home are beneficial to your mental health. Having greenery closer to you can help improve your mood and reduce stress. If you are busy or are just not that into plants, get low maintenance indoor plants such as the paddle plant, string of pearls, pathos, or peperomia.
- Clear the Floor
When it comes to home decoration and furnishing, empty spaces are not necessarily bad. If arranged properly, having free space inside the home can make it appear more relaxed and roomier. In contrast, stuffing up your home with too much furniture can make it feel compressed and oppressing. What you need to do is to find the balance between too much and not enough.
Make sure not to block any pathway, so you don’t have to walk around the furniture when going from one room to another. It also helps to give you a clear vision of the room when standing in our direction. Air flow inside the home will also improve since there won’t be objects blocking the air circulation.
Consider using overhead cabinets or floating shelves for some areas instead of freestanding ones to clear up space on the floor. For the flooring itself, it is best to use just one style to brighten up the space, as well as make it appear bigger and more put together.