Make your home a little more shelter in place friendly

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Published Date 4/23/2020

Now that our homes are doing quadruple duty during home sheltering, they are working overtime to fulfill the roles of offices, classrooms, gyms, and community centers. Suddenly the surroundings we see every day, day in, and day out can seem uninspiring. According to Zillow Porchlight’s Frances Thomas, however, there are simple and inexpensive ways to transform your home into a stimulating environment, as informed by interior decorators, feng shui experts and design enthusiasts.

Divide and conquer…

Unless you are accustomed to it, conflicting responsibilities like work, child care, and self-care can overwhelm when they take place all in one house, so it’s a great idea to designate different areas for specific activities. Thomas quotes Brooklyn, NY interior designer Harry Heissman, who is now working remotely from his apartment: “It’s important to ‘compartmentalize’ your living space.” He has assigned specific areas for fitness, work, and leisure, saying, “We dug out a yoga mat from under the bed and dedicated an area to working out. The desk in the living room was cleaned and organized and serves as a ‘command station’ for going online and making phone calls. The bedroom doubles as another workspace and is perfect for napping or watching movies in bed.”

Refresh and renew …

Most agree that painting the walls is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to immediately invigorate any home. Says Thomas, “For a classic look that will hold up against almost any decor, opt for cool neutrals; if you prefer something more dramatic, consider adding a pop of color to a feature wall.” He is advised by a feng shui expert and interior designer who recommends greens and blues, which are associated with health, calm and well being.” If you prefer to have less color on the walls, use accessories like throw pillows, an area rug, curtains or artwork to bring color into your space.

Declutter to decompress …

It’s a new phenomenon for many to be living and working alongside family members, significant others, and roommates. Suddenly our homes seem cramped, with little spatial harmony. Decluttering is one of the best ways to address that, magically freeing up space and visual pollution. Thomas conferred with a decluttering specialist who refers to decluttering as a “powerful magic.” Start with a contained space like a bathroom or a closet to give yourself a quick feeling of accomplishment to encourage you to go on to the next space. It is believed that the benefits of a tidy space extend beyond aesthetics and can actually lower stress levels.

More ways to lighten up your mood …

A digital detox during these days of constant COVID-19 news and social media chatter is a good way to flip the switch to decompression mode. There is a difference between being saturated by the news and having a healthy level of engagement. “To reduce screen dependence, set up manageable boundaries based on time or place,” says Thomas. “For example, designate dinnertime as phone-free, or remove mobile tech devices from your bedroom for a daily reset.”

It’s easy being green according to an old muppet, but it’s even easier to bring green into your environment, and there is no better time to bring the outside world in. Plants bring both light and color and add oxygen as well — something our indoor lives can use. When choosing plants, be sure to study the level of care each one requires and if you can commit yourself to it. Healthy plants rock. Dead plants, however, are a downer. Taking care of green can become a healing ritual.

Source: TBWS

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