The Commercial Appeal

10 ways to refresh your home this year

- Jean Chen Smith

With many Americans still working from home and spending more time there than ever, why not make it a haven of peace and calm?

Here are 10 easy ideas to help you do just that.

Reevaluate your current style and personalit­y

What worked for you five years ago may be much different today. Interests, hobbies and careers change — along with your design aesthetic. Reassess the pictures you have displayed along with the interior design of your house. Do they still speak to you? Are you still loving the lamp you purchased at a flea market three years ago? If they no longer reflect your passions, perhaps it's time to donate or sell them.

A little bit of lighting goes a long way

Enter Nanoleaf, which has the coolest LED light panels to not only light up your space, but also act as statement design pieces. With a variety of lighting options to choose from, you can't go wrong. Whether you look into increasing the lighting or dimming it to create a cozy atmosphere, it will make a difference.

Details: nanoleaf.me/en-us/

Decorate with living plants

Plants and fresh flowers are the easiest way to create ambiance in your home. Not only can they beautify your living quarters, they can also enhance the smell of your home.

Set aside time to do a spring clean before it’s actually here

Consider doing a deep cleaning that includes carpet, bedding and any curtains in your home that are long overdue for some attention. Years of dust and dander can build up in spaces that are often overlooked. If it's within your budget, consider hiring profession­als to do the work as they have industrial equipment and cleaners that are specialize­d and extra effective.

Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize!

Coral UV'S 3 in 1 Sterilizer makes for healthier living spaces with its ability to sterilize household items by killing 99.9% of germs in 10 minutes or less. Easy to use and compact for tight counter spaces, the sterilizer can be used on baby bottles, toys, cellphones, electronic­s, keys and much more. Details: coraluv.com

Paint can do wonders

Don't take for granted what a little TLC and a fresh coat of paint can do for a room or how updated fabric can refresh older items such as chairs and ottomans. Upholstery can make an old piece of furniture just like new again. Check your local bookstore or library for more DIY projects.

Create a space for virtual classes

With people working out at home and partaking in online classes now more than ever before, create a small space for your yoga or Pilates practice.

Product tip: Invest in a yoga mat by Cappelli Sport. It contains Microban antimicrob­ial protection, which helps keep products cleaner, fresher and more durable. Details: capellispo­rt.com

A new look for your bathroom

An inexpensiv­e Sonoma Shower Curtain can update and rejuvenate your bathroom. It's such a small item and can often be overlooked. Details: kohls.com

Bring nature inside

Use nature to decorate the inside of your home with pine cones, acorns, sticks and more. One great idea is to collect seashells from vacations and set them inside a jar for display on a coffee table or bookshelf. Parents with bored kids might collect sticks and create a hanging mobile for the child's room or study.

Technology upgrade

With many Americans working from home and kids doing virtual learning, why not invest in a better computer monitor?

Our pick: Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor (S2721QS), a lifestyle-inspired monitor that supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) content playback for an amazing visual experience. Details: dell.com

Ultimately, your home is a space that should bring you joy and comfort. By incorporat­ing some of these ideas, you're on your way to creating a more peaceful and happy home for 2021.

 ?? GETTY IMAGES ?? Indoor plants create a peaceful environmen­t and purify the air.
GETTY IMAGES Indoor plants create a peaceful environmen­t and purify the air.
 ?? CORAL UV ?? Coral UV'S 3 In 1 Sterilizer can be used to clean a variety of items
CORAL UV Coral UV'S 3 In 1 Sterilizer can be used to clean a variety of items

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