There’s been an uptick in home renovation projects over the last few months. How did that happen? It’s a fact that though most states across the USA are starting to re-open, at least in some capacity, thousand of people have been cooped up for months in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some states held mandatory stay-at-home orders while others strongly suggested it. Needless to say, a lot of people started to get pretty bored.
When you spend all of your time at home, you might start looking at different things you want to get done, or things you want to change. So, it’s no big surprise that many of the television networks that focus on the home, including HGTV and Food Network, saw a rise in viewership during the height of the pandemic. HGTV’s ratings went up by 22% in May of 2020 and may have inspired many homeowners to take renovation projects into their own hands.
So, why has there been such an uptick in renovation projects? If you’ve been bitten by the renovation bug but haven’t made any changes yet, what can you do in your own home to spruce it up and bring your HGTV dreams to life?
Why Such a Wave of Renovations?
While boredom might certainly be a factor, there are other probable reasons why people have decided to invest more time in home projects recently. First, the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to become more concerning. Even the CDC has suggested that fear, anxiety, and stress are common during pandemics like these.
Staying productive and busy within your home is one way to combat that stress and anxiety. If you’re working all day, either in the office or from home, unwinding by doing a DIY project can help you to feel a greater sense of work-life balance by becoming a part of your routine. A healthy work-life balance is extremely important for managing stress.
Studies have shown that people who work 3-4 hours of overtime have a 60% chance of developing heart problems. So, finding other ways to distract yourself at home without thinking about work can be beneficial to your physical and mental health.
The uptick in home projects might also be due to a need for comfort. That also has to do with mental health. People are looking for ways to feel more comfortable and peaceful in their own homes. Completing projects offers a sense of accomplishment, and a chance to enjoy what you have created.
Turning Your Home Office Into a Shelter-in-Place Paradise
So, what can you do to jumpstart your home renovation projects? Think about what would benefit you the most, like a home office.
Working remotely has become the norm for many since the initial COVID-19 outbreak. If you plan to continue working from home or even starting your own at-home business, turning your home office into a space that sparks creativity and productivity is important. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to do just that.
Your office should be a place of productivity, not stress. Your main office challenges at home will be:
- Distractions
- Daylight
- Adequate temperatures
- A comfortable environment
You can make the space you’re own by using the psychology of color to your advantage. Each color can evoke a different feeling or emotion. Some of the best colors for offices are:
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue
- Orange
- Purple
- Gray
Changing out the lighting in your office space can also make a big difference. Natural lighting is the way to go for increased energy. If you really want to take on a big renovation, install new windows. If you’re looking for something smaller, you can simply change out your window treatments. Trade heavy blinds for sheer curtains, or leave the windows open for even more light.
Other Simple DIYs You Can Do On Your Own
Staying at home more often doesn’t mean you can’t go outside. In fact, spending more time outdoors can help to lower your stress levels and give you an energy boost. Thankfully, there are plenty of renovation projects you can do on the outside of your home, too.
If you want to start small, take a look at your garage. Does it need a deep clean? Are there things that need to be fixed, including lights, beams, or drywall? Maybe you even have a garage drain that you’ve been ignoring for too long, and now it’s clogged. Fixing and upgrading different areas of your garage can make it far more practical and useful, especially if you want to store tools and supplies for future renovation projects.
If you want to go big with your DIY renovation efforts, why not consider building an entirely new structure? You might not be able to clear the land by yourself. A clearing company can get the right permits and prepare a building site for you, but if you have always wanted an addition on the house or an extra storage shed, what better time to make that fantasy into a reality?
If this pandemic has caused people to realize anything, it’s that spending more time at home doesn’t have to be boring. Don’t be afraid to get inspired by any changes you might want to make in or around your home. Renovation projects are fun, challenging, and will leave you with results you will be able to enjoy for years to come.
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