Home is where the heart is, and now is a wonderful time to take advantage of opportunities to do quick, easy, at-home projects that may help to create order and calm. Organization tops the list, as does creating environments that are calm and soothing.
Here are some projects to help get you started.
Start in the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the house and where people spend a large amount of time. From organizing cupboards and shelves to pantries, refrigerators and drawers, organizing these areas can lead to a greater sense of calm.
Create an inviting home office. If possible, place your workspace or desk next to a window. Natural light goes a long way toward fostering creativity and enhancing your work mood.
Prepare for warm weather. Warm weather is in place in many parts of the country and just around the corner in others, so now is a good time to prep outdoor items such as furniture and grills.
Head into the bedrooms. Master bedrooms should be calm and soothing, while children's bedrooms should feel fun, festive and inviting. Regardless of your desire, some of the best ways to achieve this are through the use of color, art and texture.
Implement systems and a schedule. Tired of items or tasks always being on the back burner? Create a weekly schedule in which certain tasks are performed. For example, performing laundry duties on Monday, cleaning your home on Wednesday and planning and executing meal prep on Sunday.
Finish small repairs. Whether it is that bathroom that needs to be re-caulked or that small area that needs a bit of touchup paint, taking on small repairs will lead to a more finished home.
Change light bulbs. Switching from lower wattage bulbs to those with higher wattage is an easy, quick and affordable fix.
Perform routine maintenance tasks such as checking for leaks or minor damage around your home. Additionally, check major appliances and systems that power your home.
Pack and purge. Now is the perfect time to get rid of any and all excess.
Evaluate and create a game plan. Sometimes the best road to complete all of the items on your home "to do list" is to create a plan and execute in segments.
Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design home staging expert and short-term rental/vacation home designer with offices in New York City and the Hudson Valley.
