Home is no longer the place where we simply store our stuff, rest our weary bodies, and entertain our friends. Keeping in mind that we are no longer entertaining anyone but ourselves and our housemates, our home is now the center of our universe. It is our office, our gym, our hair and beauty salon, and our aspirational 4-star restaurant. Home is where we take class, our coffee breaks, and ourselves to the theatre.
Our needs are different now. We need a place where we feel safe and comfortable, a place that will accommodate all of the things we do within its square footage. But, just as important, we need a place that reflects our personal style. We are asking a lot more of our home than we ever did before so let’s be reasonable and not expect it to spark joy every time we turn a corner.
I recently added hardware to my kitchen cabinet doors. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. But I just didn’t get around to it until . . . the lockdown which kept me seated at my kitchen table longer than usual in the direct line of sight of something that needed to be done. So I took the time because I suddenly had the time to find something I like for the job. The metal pulls I chose don’t spark joy but I like them. I appreciate the bronze metal used in the construction. The style of these metal pulls is an homage to the designer Frank Lloyd Wright which suits my kitchen and my sense of style. They are nicely designed, well made, and complete my kitchen.
There are plenty of projects or changes you can make in your home to give you a better place to work, dine, and lounge. Here are a few suggestions.
Add Some Greenery
If you live in a single family home, you most likely take every opportunity to step outside and do a little gardening. But if you live in an apartment, you probably don’t grow tomatoes on your kitchen counter. Think instead about adding potted herbs around your kitchen window.
Now that nurseries are open again, you can add a few Indoor plants to your living or dining rooms. A living plant can be the singular touch that renews the look of a room.
Add Some Color
If you prefer austere decor but find that living in neutrals 24/7 feels an overlong trip to Pottery Barn, try adding pops of color. Brightly painted artwork is a wonderful way to brighten up a room but investing in artwork online is a bad idea. Until galleries and stores are open again a safer bet is adding colorful pillows to your sofa or chairs.
You can always freshen up a room by painting just one wall a different color.
Make Your Wood Furnishings Look Like New
My apartment building was built around 1920 when built-in cabinets and grand molding were all the rage. Keeping the wood looking new has always been a great deal of work—that was until I found Feed & Wax, a wood cleaning and polishing product. It’s easy to use, too. Simply apply a layer onto wood surfaces, wait 20 minutes, and then wipe down. Voila, your wood cabinets and furnishings will look better than ever!
Organize Your Photos And Create A Photo Gallery With Your Favorites
Prior to shelter-in-place the idea of going through photos and organizing them seemed impossible. Since we will be home for awhile this is the perfect time to take on this project. After you’ve organized your photos select some favorites, frame them, and create a photo gallery on an empty wall.
Here’s a tip for curating your gallery. Think color story when you pick your frames. In other words, most of your frames should be the same color. Otherwise your wall can look chaotic. It’s fine to add another color into the mix but it should be complimentary. Black frames are the easiest choice. If you don’t have black frames spray paint them black.
Freshen Up Your Kitchen Or Bathroom By Replacing The Hardware
Like any clothing accessory that can make or break an outfit, the hardware on your cabinets and drawers can have the same effect on a room. I have found the best selection of hardware at wayfair.com. Be patient because there are dozens and dozens of pages to peruse. Make sure you check the specs before purchasing, and always zoom in for a closer look.
Give Your Face Masks A Place Of Their Own
By now, you should have quite a few face masks on hand. Are they scattered in drawers or on counter and table tops? Select a decorative bowl, place the bowl on a table in your entryway, and put all of your masks in that bowl. This will keep them all in one place and easy to grab on your way out the door.
Be well, wash your hands a lot, and stay safe!