Don't Let Your Space Get You Down

By JD Bales

The number of people working from home has increased exponentially this year. There are obvious benefits to telecommuting (hello sweatpants!) but, being home constantly can cause people to become stir crazy. Suddenly you are seeing aspects of your home that you looked past before, not caring enough to change them, or that you simply didn’t notice!

Staring at the same furniture and art can get mundane over time. Maybe your furniture is looking dated, worn, or it just isn’t functional for your current situation. The design of your space is more impactful on your well-being than you may realize. Design affects physical and emotional responses, and, given the increase of time spent in your home, having a positive experience in your space can greatly improve your overall health.

Rearranging your existing furniture to fit your new needs can be a simple fix to improve your stay at home lifestyle. When arranging your space, first choose a focal wall. Next, create your conversation area or workspace. A crucial part of furniture arrangement is planning for traffic flow. One of the biggest issues people have when designing their own space is believing that they need to push all furniture to the wall. If you have a large space, floating the chair or sofa in the room not only breaks up the area, making it aesthetically pleasing, but it can also improve traffic flow.

While rearranging your furniture, you may notice a table or chair needs a makeover. Repainting some worn or distressed future can bring it back to life and create a new statement piece. Repurposing furniture is easier than you may think! All you need is some sandpaper, paint, and some new hardware to transform pieces you already have. You will also benefit mentally from getting outside to complete the project, and by participating in the creative process.

Sometimes, your space checks all of the boxes, but you still crave a change. The simplest change you can make is wall paint. Painting an accent wall is the cheapest choice, because there is less area to paint. Choosing a cool color, like blue, green, and purple, can create a more calming experience. To develop a more energizing and cheerful space, warm colors like red, orange, and yellow, are a good choice.

Updating your space can be a simple step to improve your room’s function and your metal health. Life is stressful enough, but your space doesn’t have to contribute to it. Have fun reinventing your home; simple changes can make a big difference.