Create an ideal ‘new’ home
Experts share tips and techniques to enhance your space
You don’t have to undergo a major renovation, especially at this time, just to make your home more “livable” after being cooped up during the long quarantine season. Sometimes, it only takes a few “fixes” here and there to refresh your space and bring it back again to life.
So what can you do to create that ideal home, which would not only stand the test of the pandemic, but also survive any season or reason? Here are some suggestions from architects and interior designers.
Declutter your space
“First and foremost, what you need to do is declutter. Throw out, give, or donate all items you don’t need. This will free up space for you to be able to move around,” said Dianne Versoza, interior designer.
Part of decluttering, Dianne said, is to hide excess decors or avoid these for the meantime. “This may not be the best time to purchase bulky furniture or ornate furnishings. You have to sanitize your spaces as often as possible. It is easier to do this with a clean home layout.”
Rotate your furniture
After cleaning your space, next comes the furniture. If you don’t have the budget to purchase new ones or you don’t want to go out to visit the shops, then the next best thing would be to explore new furniture layouts.
According to interior designer Christine Villamora, be creative as you “relocate your sofa, rotate your furniture, move a desk, or change the direction of your chairs.” The living area, which has become the quarantine convergence zone of the family, would benefit from the change of view. A change as simple as flipping the sofa’s location would make the space inviting once more.
Bring in the greens
A consensus among home-building experts is the need for greens, whether for outdoor gardens or indoor spaces. Before plants are not prioritized, or even trivialized as mere “accessories,” they have become an “essential” part of the home.
“Now more than ever, being surrounded by nature is essential for us to live a healthier life,” said landscape architect Vincent Lim. “The pandemic made us realize that the most important treasure we have is our health and wellbeing. Let nature nurture and heal us the natural way. And it starts with putting greens in our home.”
Welcome light and color
As more time is spent at home, try to bring the outdoors inside by opening the windows for air and light to flow freely. Aside from pushing out stale indoor air, it gives dwellers a refreshing feeling and uplifts the mood.
“If possible, change your curtains to a color that makes you happy,” said Dianne. “Be creative with design, without spending a lot. There are a lot of online stores selling colorful vases, Sagada pots, and abstract paintings that can make your space feel alive and joyful. Even amid the pandemic, there are a lot of things to be thankful for—and that should be reflected in your space!”
Have safety in mind
An ideal home must also be a safe home, especially now that the “enemy” couldn’t be detected by the CCTV. With this, Christine advised homeowners to have their own simple “mud room.”
“This mud room is a space, preferably near the gate or main door, where you put a shoe rack, laundry basket, a hand sanitizer, soap dispenser, and a small pail of water for hand washing. Add a movable plastic divider or a shower curtain rod to block the virus from entering your home,” said Christine. “If there are any lessons learned from the pandemic, it is that each family member has a role to play in making their home cleaner, safer, and happier.”