As we settle into 2021 and look ahead to greener pastures, the pandemic has made one thing more evident than ever before: Our home environments matter, and in fact, they play a major role in the general productivity and satisfaction levels of our everyday lives.
In fact, according to a survey of 2,000 homeowners by online interior design company Modsy, the pandemic made 60% of respondents realize their homes were disorganized, and 77% were so stressed by their at-home surroundings that they undertook their own DIY home redesign projects.
“There’s no better time than the dawn of a new year to make positive changes, so let the arrival of 2021 spur you to get organized and create a space you love to live in,” says Karina Lameraner, Creative Stylist at Modsy.
Here are just a few of her tips to refresh your home for a brighter, fresher start to the new year.
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room. It’s one of those simple bedroom design upgrades that makes a huge difference. So, whether you want to jump on the bold colors trend or decorate with neutrals, simply giving your walls some fresh color can refresh your room and give you a new perspective on the space.
Do A Desk Refresh
Like most of us, the ‘office’ corner of your home has probably gotten a lot of use this year, and frankly, it’s overdue for a refresh if you no longer look forward to sitting there. So, take everything off of your desk and go through every drawer to make your workspace feel like it’s getting a fresh start too. “I hung some new wall art above my computer. It’s nothing super fancy, but having those few new pieces of wall art eye candy in the space gives me a new view and spark of creativity when I sit down to work,” says Lameraner.
Get Houseplants—Even If You’re Afraid Of Killing Them!
Houseplants make any home feel alive, especially during these colorless winter months, and they also have multiple scientifically-backed health benefits like helping to clean the indoor air and boosting your mood. “For those who don’t have much of a green thumb, I recommend starting small with a jade (hard to kill!) and a fern, and setting a goal to have at least one plant in every room,” says Lameraner. Researchers have also concluded that working indoors with plants could reduce both physiological and psychological stress.
Assess Clutter Hotspots
In addition to a mess of junk drawer items and copious amounts of kids’ toys, there are many different types of clutter that can quickly build-up (for example, hats, gloves, and masks in your entryway and toiletries on bathroom counters). It’s likely there are similar spots in your home, and finding solutions to hide, organize, or minimize the clutter can be the key to making your home a more relaxing, soothing place to spend time in. “I recommend going one by one and finding a solution for each, like a wall-mounted basket for masks, a new shelf in your bathroom, or storage baskets that are stylish yet functional and can be elegantly hidden,” says Lameraner. “Make a list of the clutter magnets in your home. I know from experience that fine-tuning these small pain points will make everyday life so much easier and pleasant.”
Embrace New Year’s Cleaning in January
“I’d like to propose that you add house cleaning to your list of January to-dos. I always feel like what I do at the start of the year sets the tone for the months ahead, and I find that if I set a time for a deep cleaning and think about it as a positive action instead of a dreaded chore, the work is more satisfying. And there is truly nothing like the feeling of a clean house,” says Lameraner.
For more tips and recommendations on how to refresh your home for 2021, visit www.modsy.com.
The Editorial Team at Lake Oconee Health is made up of skilled health and wellness writers and experts, led by Daniel Casciato who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We aim to provide our readers with valuable insights and guidance to help them lead healthier and happier lives.
