New Decade, New Home

New Decade, New Home: Everything You Need For A Total Revamp

There’s nothing quite like the start of a new year (or in this case, a new decade) to jump-start a home refresh. And while setting goals may be the name of the game come 2020, it’s important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. In fact, implementing small changes to your daily routine is often the key to achieving long-term success. So why not apply that same line of thinking to your home?

While a major renovation or endless supply of Crate and Barrel gift cards may sound nice, it isn’t exactly the norm. We're here to tell you it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of easy ways to revamp your home that won’t break the bank. Read on for a few of them. 

CLEAN UP

When it comes to refreshing, you’ve got to start with the basics. After all, an update isn’t much of an option if you aren’t working with a clean slate. From bleaching your bathroom to changing your sheets, the responsibilities that come with home upkeep can feel a bit endless. So how often should you actually be carving out time to soak and scrub your home? For that answer, we looked to the experts. 

In an article written for NBC News titled “How Often You Should Wash Everything In Your Home, According To Science,” author Vivian Manning-Schaffel spoke with both Jason Tetro, a microbiologist and author of The Germ Code and The Germ Files, and Becky Rapinchuk, a cleaning expert and author of the books Simply Clean and The Organically Clean Home, for their advice on the subject. To this end they recommended that certain activities such as changing your sheets and vacuuming your rugs be done every one to two weeks. Why? Because in both circumstances, environmental bacteria like dust can easily build. Plus, the dirt and oils sloughed off during sleep can contribute to both acne and dandruff. Another regular activity you’ll want to pencil in involves your kitchen. While the lion’s share of bacteria found on a gently used kitchen sponge isn’t considered dangerous, most cannot be killed with soap and water. So to be safe, the article suggests you either boil your sponge for at least two minutes every few days or simply replace it frequently. 

As you likely already know, the bathroom is an epicenter for household germs. According to Tetro, e.coli can be found to live within six feet of the toilet and even in the sink. So to keep bacteria from spreading, you will want to disinfect the space and your shower curtains weekly. In addition, deep cleaning the bathtub twice a month will prevent mildew from building up and causing irritation to the skin, eyes, and/or throat. Similarly, doorknobs in heavily trafficked rooms, or those with a high risk of bacteria like the bathroom and kitchen, should also be wiped down regularly. 

Before jumping away from the topic of bathrooms, let’s touch on one other common area of concern: towels. While the reuse of a bath towel may seem like the best way to cut down on laundry, it is also a dangerous way to build germs. In fact, once used, a wet towel is often teeming with bacteria including both staph and fecal. For this reason, Rapinchuck suggests changing out your used towels every other day. This will help to prevent the spread of germs, as well as dandruff-causing fungi. 

CLEAR OUT

With a clean space often comes a need to purge and reorganize what we own. While it can feel overwhelming to take on a household full of clothes, memories, and yes, some junk, there are ways to make the task more manageable. So what’s the trick? Small steps. According to the experts at the Container Store Blog, take on one area at a time. Once a room or section of the home is complete you can celebrate the success and move on. Next, adopt the “two year rule of thumb.” If you haven't used or worn something in two years, let it go. These items are taking up room that could be better utilized in the coming year. From there, continue to think about the concept of space. Is the area you are working in being used in the most effective way? Can you add shelving or find additional real estate you hadn’t thought of before? If so, then consider investing in tools like clear bins, floating shelves or even storage carts. As reminded by the Container Store specialists, “the three rules to organization are visibility, accessibility and flexibility.” So be sure to keep that in mind as you set out to revamp your home for a new year. 

RE-STOCK

Once you’ve freshly cleaned, laundered and organized your home for the start of 2020, you’ll likely need to restock on products. From eco-friendly cleaning supplies to reusable home items, here are just a few of the gems you’ll want to invest in this year. 

Let’s start with the reusable. If you haven’t yet hopped on the “less waste” bandwagon, now is the time to do so. Aside from saving you money, stocking up on sustainable household items like reusable shopping bags and water bottles is a great way to go just a bit more green. From Amazon to your local brick and mortar, retailers are continuing to increase their offering of reusable items. So whether you’re in search of easy to wash dish towels to replace your weekly roll of Bounty or a set of rechargeable batteries, the world really is your oyster. Unfortunately, there are times where most of us have to “do and do away with” items. In those situations, switching out traditional plastic for biodegradable alternatives is another helpful option. t

Other easy to achieve hacks that will revamp your house and lessen your carbon footprint? LED light bulbs. According to Business Insider’s Mara Leighton, LED lights are up to 80 percent more efficient than traditional lighting options. While efficiency is a major selling point, it’s also nice to note that overall, LED lights use much less power. This helps to reduce the demand often placed on power plants and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. 

RECHARGE

Aside from creating a cleaner space or stocking up on eco-friendly items, another way to revamp your home this year is to make it a place you truly want to come back to. From cozy decor to inviting scents, small tweaks can go a very long way. While your house may never be a full-fledged spa, it certainly doesn’t hurt to make it feel like one. 

To freshen things up, let’s begin with the powder room. Whether you enjoy a long soak at the end of the day or an invigorating rinse before heading off to work, the time you spend in the bathroom matters. So don’t be afraid to upgrade your shower head or invest in a convenient bathtub caddy if it is going to enhance your daily experience. After all, it’s a place you should want to be. 

To make your bathroom the most relaxing space possible, you may also want to consider incorporating aromatherapy. Essential oils like lavender, jasmine, pine and vanilla are great for combating stress, elevating mood and promoting sleep. Comparatively, brighter smells like cinnamon, peppermint and citrus can help to energize, increase concentration and sharpen the mind. Mixing a few drops of your favorite essential oils into warm bathwater or on the floor of your shower will have you feeling as if you’ve stepped into your favorite luxury getaway. (Just be sure you don’t have any allergies and that you’re using an organic, pure version of all oils to avoid irritation.) Having a diffuser or two to utilize in certain rooms throughout your home can also work wonders for creating a more calm and inviting space overall. 

Kicking off the New Year in its coldest months can certainly feel daunting. To make your home as comfortable as possible, consider adding soft textures and greenery wherever you can. Oversized pillows and warm throw blankets coupled with the tranquility of plants and flowers will make your home feel like an enticing escape from the winter freeze. If a green thumb hasn’t traditionally been your forte, an easy- to-care-for houseplant like the Chinese evergreen or the cast iron plant may just be your new best friend. 

Truth be told, there is no “one way” to revamp your home (and you certainly don’t need to spend a ton of money to figure out what works for you). From cleaning and clearing to upping the level of comfort, livening up your space can be as simple or as tedious as you make it. The function, flow and feel of any home starts and ends with it’s occupant. So, don’t be afraid to refresh in any way you see fit. After all, changing and growing is part of the fun.  

By: Sam Maracic