Living in a shabby, worn house has a detrimental effect on mental health, making you wish for a complete revamp. But what do you do if a whole house makeover isn’t possible? Regardless of budget, plenty of things can be done in and around the home for a refreshed look and to boost your mental health.
Declutter
If not kept on top of constantly, clutter sneaks up on us. Should your home suffer from a lot of clutter, plan to tackle it a little at a time so that it doesn’t feel too overwhelming. Improving storage allows everything to be put away coherently, ready to be taken out when needed. Recycling unused and unneeded items opens space while giving neglected items a new lease of life elsewhere.
TLC Your Floors
Floors are the room’s backdrop; if your flooring has been neglected, the room will look rundown. Regular vacuuming of carpets at least once a week and daily sweeping are essential for lifting visible dirt and grime from floors. Use a stain remover to keep floor coverings in good condition, as stains look unsightly and might attract pests. Regularly cleaning carpets will lift stubborn stains and ground in dirt, prolonging the life and look of carpets.
Update Soft Furnishings
Soft furnishings are easy to update and are a quick way to give a fresh look to any room. If your couches and chairs are still comfortable to sit on but looking sad, invest in having them recovered or use a slipcover. Add a couple of new cushion covers, and the room will instantly look like it’s had a makeover, especially if you’ve taken the opportunity to change the color. You can also change other soft furnishings such as curtains for a bright new look.
Lighting
Lighting plays a surprising part in the look and feel of a room, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to change a lighting scheme. Changing the lamp shades in a room with contemporary designs can have a stunning effect on the décor. Adding a couple of free-standing floor lamps to a room lets you use directional lighting with incredible results, such as illuminating a picture to make it a feature.
Street Appeal
The outside look of a house is as essential as the inside, and again, small changes can go a long way to updating things. If keeping on top of regular garden maintenance is too difficult, consider creating a low-maintenance oasis. Choose easy-care plants and add interest with other features such as mirrors and statues. Your property will benefit from improved curb appeal, and you’ll appreciate having a pleasant environment to sit in and enjoy the outdoors.
Making a few clever changes to furnishings and getting on top of cleaning carpets and decluttering mess can dramatically impact the look and feel of your home. And when you feel happy and comfortable in your home, your mental health benefits.
