As much as we’d all love to put the pandemic behind us, the coronavirus unfortunately isn’t going away anytime soon. Many of us could be working from home indefinitely, while others may not feel comfortable returning to the gym or yoga studio for several more years. Some of us are yet to dine out at a restaurant, go to the movies, or gather indoors with friends and family.
But if there’s one good thing that’s come out of COVID-19, it’s the positive changes we’ve made to our homes and lives. And fortunately, it isn’t too late to make some additional improvements to the spaces in which we live, work, sleep, and play. After all, the pandemic has turned our homes into a sanctuary: A safe space that’s worth splurging on.
Here are five ways to revive your home as you ride out the remainder of the pandemic, according to the home improvement pros at , formerly known as ChoreRelief.
1. Adopt a Few Plants
If you’ve ever spent time in a space that’s filled with houseplants, you may have noticed the physical and psychological health benefits they offer. And because of their ability to reduce stress and anxiety, increase attention span, and improve indoor air quality, adopting a few indoor plants could be one of the simplest ways to boost your overall health and wellness.
If you’re looking to revive and refresh your living space after nearly two years of living in a pandemic, head to your local garden center or home improvement store to adopt a houseplant or two. Boston ferns and spider plants are effective air purifiers, while aloe vera, lavender, and peace lilies are natural mood boosters.
2. Clean and Declutter
Aside from adopting a few houseplants, cleaning and decluttering your home is one of the cheapest ways to revive a living space. Clean homes reduce stress, allergies, germs, and mold, while clutter-free spaces can help to improve productivity, mood, and sleep. An organized home also saves you time and money since you’ll be able to find items much more easily and better keep track of your belongings.
If you need help tidying up your home, Allbetter can help you to find affordable, convenient, and flexible cleaning services you can trust. Download the Allbetter app to get help with everything from cleaning your windows, carpets, and gutters to washing your bathtubs and showers, sinks, and kitchen counters.
3. Build a Home Gym
If you’re looking for a way to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health while also increasing the desirability of your home when selling it in the future, now is the perfect time to build a home gym. Whether you’re looking to improve your health, find the motivation to stick to a workout routine, or cancel your gym membership once and for all, a home gym will benefit you physically and financially.
There are several options for building a home gym, depending on your budget and spatial needs. As a few examples, you could convert a spare bedroom, garage, or attic into an in-home fitness center — or you could build an addition if your budget allows. Some home gyms can be built without professional help, while others will require the services of a general contractor.
4. Install a Whole-Home Air Purifier
Installing a whole-home air purifier is another great way to improve your head-to-toe health, especially now that you’re spending more time at home amidst COVID-19. Whole-home air purifiers are a cost-effective alternative to single-room purifiers, helping to reduce indoor allergens like dust and pollen, and in some cases, filter out harmful germs and bacteria. They’re especially helpful if you or another household member smokes, suffers from asthma or another respiratory issue, or you live with one or more pets.
Unlike single-room air purifiers, a professional must install whole-home air cleaners. However, you can use Allbetter to find qualified HVAC professionals in your area. Or, if you’re looking to go the DIY route, you can find single-room air purifiers from brands like Blueair, Honeywell, Coway, and Dyson.
5. Upgrade Your Bedding
In addition to adopting a few houseplants, cleaning and decluttering your home, adding a gym, and installing a whole-home air purifier, upgrading your bedding is a surefire way to revive and refresh your living space while also improving your overall health and wellness. New bedding gives you the chance to experiment with different colors, textures, and designs, and it can also help to improve your sleep quality.
When upgrading your bed linens, consider things like thread count, fabrics used, and bedroom allergens. Silk, bamboo, and Tencel are allergen-friendly bedding options, while percale, Egyptian cotton, and organic bamboo are some of the softest types of bed sheets. Moreover, blue, beige, and white bedding best promote calmness and serenity.
How to Pay for Home Upgrades
Whether you’re adding a home gym, building a room addition, or installing a whole-home air cleaner, you may need to tap into your savings in order to pay for these home upgrades. However, if paying with savings isn’t an option, refinancing your home could be an excellent alternative. By refinancing your home, you can lower your interest rate and reduce your monthly mortgage payment — helping to free up some cash for any home improvements you wish to make.
There are many options for refinancing your home mortgage, and it’s important to explore them all before making a decision. For instance, if you’re a veteran, a VA Interest Rate Reduction Loan (IRRRL) is just one option you’ll want to consider. VA IRRRL rates are affordable, easy to qualify for if you’re a veteran, and they allow you to refinance your mortgage in a lot less time. However, if you wish to take out money to pay for your home upgrades, cash-out refinancing will be a better option.
In Conclusion
The pandemic is still going strong, but there are so many ways to improve your living space and make life under COVID-19 a lot more enjoyable. And by making these upgrades to your home, you’ll improve your health and increase your happiness for many years to come!
Need help hiring a contractor for your next home improvement project? Download the Allbetter app or create an account to book home improvement services online. info@allbetterapp.com
Originally published at https://allbetterapp.com on December 10, 2021.
