I Hate Cleaning

They say home is where the heart is, so if that’s the case, shouldn’t we be putting as much investment into our personal space as we do to keep our hearts happy and healthy? Creating a home that makes you fall in love with it again and again, is one of the best ways to boost happiness in our lives. And it doesn’t need to cost a fortune either. Property upgrades, simple DIY projects and giving your space a little TLC all go a long way.

Every home needs a little restoration from time to time – and there’s nothing better than coming home to a space that promotes relaxation and makes you smile.

It doesn’t matter if you’re renting, just purchased a home or what budget constraints you’re dealing with – there’s something everyone can implement to improve their home and life. One of the hardest challenges is prioritising the time to do it; but with the right tools and some creativity, your home and heart can certainly improve. Here’re a few ideas to get you started:

1. Schedule a Regular Declutter

Clutter is bad for the soul. Not only does it make our home space look messy and uninviting, but it’s a catalyst for mental stress, chronic restlessness, distraction and wasted time. Clutter in the house will impact on your brain and leave you feeling exhausted, unmotivated and unproductive. Thus, it’s absolutely essential for a healthy home and heart to schedule in a regular declutter! We’re all guilty of hoarding stuff to a degree, but if you can keep on top of it and stick to a declutter routine, you’ll notice a positive improvement in all aspects.

Schedule a declutter at least twice a year. Spring cleaning offers the perfect time to make a cull and leading up to the holiday season can offer a much-needed refresh too. Ask yourself when you’re clearing things out whether the item you’re considering ditching is linked to a negative memory (sometimes these can be best to eliminate completely or put into storage), when was the last time you used it and what purpose it really serves.

2. Set up a Small Home Gym

Not all of us can be bothered going to the gym to do our workouts – and that’s OK! Boost your life by boosting your health and commit to setting up a small at-home gym. Many people find it more motivating to work out from the comfort of their homes; where you can go at your own pace, blast tunes or crank the TV. It’s also the perfect solution for stay-at-home parents when the little one is having a nap, or set bub up in front of their favourite show for half an hour whilst you supervise and get some exercise in, too.

Start off with the basic gym equipment to keep costs to a minimum. Focus on what you really want to achieve and go from there. You can start with anything as simple as an exercise mat, some resistance bands and weights or move it up a level with a treadmill, a stationary bike or a weight bench. For the real fitness enthusiast, an all-in-one home gym, which targets the whole body, can be a worthwhile investment. Pick whether cardio, strength or something else is your key focus and purchase the essentials to get you started.

3. Create a Zen Outdoor Living Space

Are you one of those people who thrives when outdoors? There’s nothing like bringing the indoors outside when it comes to home living and creating a Zen outdoor living space provides the perfect place to recoup after a long day. Zen gardens consist of stones and pebbles, lush leafy green plants and inviting pathways. Opt for earthy colours, with bright yellows and blues. Water features are great for achieving a positive energy in the space, with outdoor furniture that’s comfy, simple and natural looking.

Incorporate natural elements like stone and wood to offer balance and warmth. Adding a fire pit to the space can be used as a focal point in the garden. It will provide you with a designated area to congregate around with guests or family. The outdoor world has become an extension of our indoors, so don’t be afraid to merge the two worlds together. You can utilise the comforts of your home interior and enjoy them outside, too.

4. Convert the Guest Room

Has your guest room become more like a junk/storage room than an actual guest room? I know the feeling… it’s actually surprising, though, how much a cluttered or unused secondary room can impact on the dynamics of your home. Make it a priority to convert the guest room. Clear any junk or unused items out to the shed (or get rid of them completely!) and purchase the essentials to transform the space into one that’s practical and homely. Creating a guest room takes the pressure off for when family and friends come to stay, too. It doesn’t need to be huge – just a simple setup with a double bed (or a comfy couch that folds out, so the room can be utilised all year round), a bedside table and some storage space to unpack luggage will do the trick.

Home improvements are a fun way to add energy and positivity to your life and personal space. What will you be focusing on to transform your home and daily lifestyle this year?

Author Bio

This article is written by Jayde Ferguson who recommends Orbit Fitness – the largest supplier of fitness equipment in Perth. You can catch Jayde on Google+ to discuss this piece.

home improvement, life improvement