April 24, 2020

Make the Most of Staying Indoors by Refreshing Your Home

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

We all find ourselves spending more time indoors these days. Though it may not be under the best circumstances, there are certainly ways to make the best of it. Take up a new hobby, catch up on a hit TV show and, if you’ve been bitten by the spring cleaning bug, refresh your space. Making your home feel open and airy could be just the thing that makes staying in during social distancing enjoyable. If you don’t know where to start, we’re sharing a few of our favorite spring cleaning tips along with design ideas to help you refresh and redecorate.

Downsize and Declutter

We’re not saying you have to get rid of your favorite furniture — that chair or couch that’s been with you through the years doesn’t necessarily have to go. In fact, holding on to a vintage or antique piece can add character and personality to your home. But, while you hold onto these special pieces, weed out the smaller, less significant ones. Think: chipped serveware, dated linens, dusty VHS tapes. Need more downsizing tips? Read our tips on scaling back here!

As a rule of thumb, if you’ve forgotten something exists, it’s probably safe to let go. The process of downsizing can be fun and can relieve stress. Simplifying can cleanse the soul, remove clutter and make your home a comfy place to recharge.

Store the Extra

If you’re downsizing, storage becomes exponentially more important. It’s an art form finding places for your stuff to go, but there are plenty of sneaky methods to stow your belongings and complement your space at the same time.

Look for furniture that doubles as storage. Ottomans that open up, television stands with extra drawers, hideaway beds or couches and dressers as nightstands can all expand your storage space. Getting creative with your storage can be a fun way to get settled. And if done right, you’ll likely have easier access to every throw blanket, pair of shoes and article of clothing your heart desires.

Introduce Color

It has been suggested that color can have an impact on one’s mood. And each color can affect every individual differently. Whether you are painting, picking out wallpaper or redecorating, your personality will shine through the colors you use. Want to introduce color slowly? Pick a colorful piece of furniture, throw some art up or get pottery and little decorations that brighten the space. Order flowers, plants and anything else that brings life and personality.

While you are deciding on your palette, keep in mind that each color is thought to have its very own effect:

Green is thought to represent tranquility and health.
Blue is a color that may inspire productivity.
Yellow is often associated with energy and warmth.
Lavender may provoke soothing feelings.
And red is thought to provoke feelings of power and excitement.

Rework Your Space for Guests

You may not be able to have guests at the moment, but now may just be the perfect time to prepare for the day you are able to have people over again. Creating a place to drink tea and talk is as simple as positioning two chairs toward each other and using an ottoman as a coffee table.

You can repurpose an antique tray to put on top of the ottoman so that you have a place to set drinks and snacks. Just make sure there is a comfortable area for at least two people to sit and talk. It also helps to have games like chess, cards, or dominoes readily available to bring out at a moment’s notice.

Lighten Up

One more way to make your space cheerier is to get proper lighting. Do this by replacing blinds with curtains for more natural light. And you should change out all fluorescent bulbs with energy-efficient incandescent light bulbs. Fluorescent light can be harsh and unpleasant.

Another thing you can do is introduce several types of lamps and place them throughout your living space. That way, you can regulate the amount and type of light you have.

Decorating and organizing can be delightful, even therapeutic — take it from Marie Kondo who has a Netflix show about the benefits of tidying up. Take some time to make even a few small changes. After all, you deserve a fresh start, comfort and a happy place to call home, especially during these uncertain times.

Our hearts go out to the families and communities affected by COVID-19, and, as always, we’re working to provide a happy, healthy environment for our residents. If you want to learn more about our response to COVID-19 visit our FAQ page. Not seeing what you’re looking for? WHO and the CDC are sources for trusted and updated information on COVID-19.

_{Note: The following is shared for informational purposes only. We are not infectious disease experts and you should consult with trusted, independent, reputable sources before acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition or are at increased risk for contracting COVID-19. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or health advice. Never disregard professional medical or health advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site.}