Easy steps for decorating while stuck at home
Staying at home for few so many weeks has made me feel dreary and gloomy at times. I figured I could change my mood by changing something I could control: the space where I spend the most time. We are having to take care of our families, work from home, and help our kids with online learning and all within a limited amount of space. Environments are important to our emotional health. The good news is that we can do something about it while we are “stuck” at home. Let’s bring about change in our surroundings and with it, feelings of excitement, creativity, and hope.
I started with the living/dining room area, which right now is my office and the main room where we watch movies or play board games at the end of the day. You can get started with the room that you are spending the most time and hopefully get inspired to tackle bedrooms and any other room in need of a quick makeover.
Here are some steps to get started:
- Declutter
Let’s face it, the first thing that we need to look at is how many things don’t belong where they are currently. Grab a box or basket and place all items that don’t belong in the room and need to be relocated. Don’t take items to another room or look for a place for them right now. Our focus is the current space. You can have another box for items that you need to get rid of, whether donating, selling or gifting.
Take a look at the room now, is it more spacious already? Take another look, what else can go?
Take the boxes with these items out to the garage or to another room to sort out later.
- Cleaning
I’m sure dusting has not been a priority the last couple of weeks. Do a quick dusting and wipe down all surfaces. Lift up the cushions on the sofa and vacuum all the chips and cookie crumbs from binge watching on the last Netflix series. Clean the windows and blinds. Now we have the canvas ready to decorate.
- Rearrange furniture
Moving furniture around can create a different mood in the room. Is the current layout working? What new activities are you doing now that needs different furniture layout? Playing more board games in the dining room may need a space to store them close by. Are you watching more family movies and need more seating facing the TV or maybe you want the opposite. Experiment and move the furniture in a way you didn’t think would work and see how it feels.
- “Home Shopping”
Walk around the house and see what you can bring out of a bedroom or office into the living room. Can you bring in a picture or a mirror from another room? A piece of furniture? Decorative pillows?
BRINGING A MIRROR FROM A BEDROOM TO A LIVING ROOM AND PLACE IT BEHIND A PLANT TO GIVE THE ILLUSION OF A BIGGER FOLIAGE OR OPPOSITE A WINDOW TO REFLECT LIGHT CAN INSTANTLY CHANGE THE MOOD OF THE ROOM.
A FEW COLORFUL PILLOWS CAN ADD NEW TEXTURES AND PATTERNS TO A SOFA. EVEN ACCESSORIES AND BOOKS FROM THE OFFICE OR THINGS THAT NORMALLY WILL NOT GO IN THAT ROOM. GO AHEAD AND GO SHOPPING AROUND YOUR HOME AND HAVE FUN.
- Make a list
Now that you have “new” items in place, how is the room feeling? Do you need a more lighting? Decorative baskets? Make list of things that you need to complete your look and shop online for those items. Having a list will save you time from browsing endlessly and save you money from buying things that you don’t need now. Since many stores are temporary closed, retailers have pivoted online with many offers, free shipping and free returns so you can do shopping from home with ease. Online retailers like Overstock and Wayfair have offers everyday on home décor items for budget friendly finds.
You may do a separate list of items that you need or things that need to get done after this season is over. Make it and keep it in a list app to meet with your local designer or contractor that can help you finish your project. Everyone will be eager to get back to doing projects and knowing what you want makes will give you a head start in the process.
- Enjoy your newly redesigned space.
Take pictures and share. This will bring feelings of excitement and may inspire others to do the same. What rooms are you going to do this weekend?
Let me know of your experience with this project. Do you have any questions? Did you encounter an obstacle along the way? I know we are limited to what we are able to do, but we can still choose to have fun and enjoy our home.
