Do you have that ‘home sweet home’ feeling when you come back from work? When you come in through that door or are just having a day off at home, your feelings should be positive and content. After all, it’s your private space and comfort zone!
However, there are times when something just seems off about a home. Stop and think: ‘Would I like to live here for a long time?’ If the answer isn’t a resounding ‘YES,’ it might be time for a change.
If you’re currently living in Pittsburgh, you’re already in a great region. The fast-paced lifestyle, excellent facilities, and high standard of living are all attractive features of this city. With home prices on the rise, Pittsburgh residents are now looking toward home improvement projects. If you ever decide to sell, you need to ensure your home can compete in the market. The regular median list price for houses in Pittsburgh was $216,450 in June 2023. With home improvement projects and features like modern architecture, this is predicted to go up to $439,900 and beyond.
Ready to make the most of your house? Here are a few tips:
1. Make Sure Your Home Functions Properly
Your home needs to function properly to ensure your comfort. Take a look around; what are the main causes of discomfort? Perhaps the roof has been leaking for months, or the squeaking doors are constantly irritating everyone.
Even if there’s nothing wrong with the building, you may need to look a little deeper. As a homeowner, you have to keep up with essential maintenance and repairs for important areas such as the roof. Pittsburgh, with its unpredictable weather, gets 151 days of rain. Hence, it is important to conduct regular inspections for leaking roofs. Make sure to pick the top Pittsburgh Roofing company for these services. With experienced and reliable people working in your home, you’ll be comparatively stress-free and relaxed.
2. Create a ‘Me’ Space
Whether you’re working from home or walking in after a long day at work, there are several home chores to do. The list is neverending, so why not take some time for yourself as well?
When we want to disconnect for a bit, where do we go? Our homes might have limited space, but every individual should have a safe corner. If you don’t have a separate bedroom, consider setting up the following spaces:
- A window seat
- A cozy reading nook
- A rocking chair in the corner
- A sofa with some cushions and a throw
- A secluded space in the garden, the porch, or any outside space
Select whatever space is available, and let other residents know that it holds personal importance. This is where you go when life gets too overwhelming. Spend some time relaxing, knitting, reading, or doing something else you love. A word of advice here: try leaving the screen (tablets, smartphones, TVs) outside this zone for maximum relaxation.
You can also work on making the rest of the home a more relaxing and calm space. Start with your little nook and take it from there.
3. Decorate With What Brings You Joy
Before you buy anything decorative for the home, ask yourself if you just like it or love it. You may also want to consider the following factors:
- Does it go with the decor of your home, or at least interesting enough to be a statement/conversation piece?
- Does it fit within your budget, or will you be compromising something important for it?
- Do you have the space for it?
- Does it bring you joy?
The last question is of the utmost importance. If the item makes you smile, it might have a place in your home. However, you also don’t want to build up a collection of fancy clutter.
Ideally, decorate with items that make you happy and also have a purpose. Display books that you enjoy and would probably read again or books that you mean to read soon. Buying well-known titles just to display them might not be the best idea. They’ll gather dust, stay unread, and probably not bring you as much joy.
4. Tidy Up
Tidying up should be a part of your daily life. You want to be able to relax and just feel the general satisfaction of having a relatively clean home all day. Here are some hacks to help you tidy up:
- Look up tidying and organization experts like Marie Kondo and follow their principles whenever possible
- If you can’t do anything else, at least make your bed every single day
- Think of your future self as your best friend and do little things to help yourself. Examples include putting the groceries away immediately, dusting, changing the bed linen, etc.
- Try implementing the 2-minute rule; if you can complete a chore in two minutes or less, do it right away!
5. Design the Most Relaxing Bedroom
The bedroom is a space that has its rituals, rules, and vibes. It’s where you spend more than a third of your life, so do pay attention to this area. Here are a few ways to make sure that your bedroom is the relaxing, comfortable space it should be:
- Change the sheets and pillowcases often
- Get some blackout curtains or blinds for proper darkness, especially if you work the night shift
- Go for cool, neutral tones instead of warm colors
- Keep the room as cool as possible
- Air out the room regularly by opening windows, turning on a fan, and so on
- Have few items on display; keep the space as uncluttered as possible
- Avoid conducting other everyday activities in the bedroom; if you must work here, keep a designated corner for the workspace
- Keep all tech devices out of the bedroom whenever possible
You may want to incorporate other changes in your bedroom. Personal tastes and preferences are important considerations. Some people might relax best when they’re surrounded by cozy pillows, cushions, stuffed animals, etc. Others might prefer a simple sheet and pillow, with no other items to distract them. While a minimalistic bedroom might be relaxing for the mind, focus on what makes you happy.
Conclusion
Most of us are stressed out and anxious these days. With so much on our plate, our homes should be peaceful retreats for relaxing, socializing, and gearing up for the next big thing. If your home isn’t the welcoming oasis amidst all the daily chaos, consider implementing the points above. With a little effort and investment, you might find the utmost contentment within the same walls!
