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Does Your Home Make You Happy?

Many are spending a lot of their time at home, especially with the current pandemic situation across the globe.

If you've been occupying the same area day in and day out, you can find your home serving as an office, classroom, gym, and community center — and it's easy to become uninspired by your surroundings. But do not despair: there are simple and inexpensive solutions to turn your home into a lively and refreshing environment from Zillow.

Break it up

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting commitments while working from home. Designate various locations for specific activities to help you stay on track. 'Compartmentalizing' your living space is critical, says Harry Heissmann, an interior designer in Brooklyn, New York. If you live in a studio, you can create distinct "rooms" by using curtains, bookcases, and other furniture to divide the space. This will also help each area have its purpose and energy.

Experiment with color

Painting the walls is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to freshen up any space instantly. Cool neutrals are a traditional design that can go with virtually any décor; if you want something more dramatic, consider adding a flash of color to a focal wall. Using items such as throw pillows, an area rug, curtains, or artwork to bring color into your home, Reiko Gomez, a Feng Shui consultant and interior designer in the Hamptons, NY, recommends greens and blues: "They are most connected with health, peace, and well being.”

Streamline and declutter

Our homes may suddenly appear more cramped than ever before, with millions of us now living and working alongside family members, significant others, and roommates. The benefits of a tidy space go beyond aesthetics, according to Gomez, and there's no better way to create spatial harmony than decluttering: "It works a powerful magic in that it gets your entire space up to speed with you." She recommends starting small by decluttering a contained space like the bathroom, which "will give you a quick feeling of accomplishment and encourage you to do the next space.”

Invigorate with scents

Scent has a lot of power when it comes to improving your attitude. "Every space should have a different scent track to score your moment," says Mindy Yang, the owner of Perfumarie, a fragrance studio in SoHo, NY. Yang employs woody aromas like cedar, palo santo, oud, copal, and frankincense to feel grounded; rosemary for invigoration; and incense to focus and meditate. Candles, oil diffusers, air mists, and fresh flowers are just a few of the methods to infuse a room with aroma. Crack up a window to balance out your selected aroma with fresh air for a more subtle effect.

Greenify and purify

There's no better time to bring the outside world in than while you're staying put. "If there's one thing that makes a space seem habitable, it's some components of green," says Summer Rayne Oakes, host of Plant One On Me. Not only can plants bring light and color, but they also add oxygen to your home, something many of us could use more of while we hunker down indoors. Take into account the level of care you want to provide: Some people prefer a less fussy plant, while others prefer a more 'high-maintenance' plant that demands daily attention." Whichever plant you choose, she claims that the ritual of maintaining it can be extremely restorative. Visit Oakes' database, Plant One Forward, to find a plant store near you that delivers during coronavirus closures.

Lighten up

According to a survey of workplace benefits published in Harvard Business Review, natural light is the top office bonus. You have more power than ever over the light conditions of your workplace if your house is now your office.

Position your desk near a window and leave drapes and shades open during the day to optimize your exposure to natural light. When the sun hits them just right, you can use them to throw light into the room without getting blinded," Heissmann says. "You can direct or cut out light (and inquisitive neighbors across the street) as needed." He also suggests adding reflective surfaces — like a mirror, lacquered table, or chrome lamp — to enhance the light in dark rooms.

Takeaway

Because your home is your special sanctuary, it's critical that it's full of positive energy and that you feel at ease there. It will have a huge impact on the energy within your home and how you feel if you take action on the suggestions above.

If you don’t feel like going through the hassle of doing a home makeover while feeling the need to relocate to a new environment & new home. Ash Creek can provide you with an all-cash offer. Sell your home to us and move out on the date of your choosing. Contact us today!