6 Reasons to Renovate During the Pandemic

Most of the world has been stuck inside their homes for the last year due to the pandemic. All of that extra time staring at imperfections (and each other) in our homes has inspired many to tackle renovations. There are six considerations you should take into account that will make life in lockdown and beyond a little more bearable. Here’s what they are.

Comfort

Comfort has become the primary concern for those who are working and learning at home. Now is the perfect time to invest in new mattresses and new seating. Many people have had trouble sleeping, so a new bed could be just what you need. Pay attention to the sleep position you’re most comfortable in and choose a mattress accordingly. If you tend to work or learn from bed, look for an upholstered headboard to have a soft surface for sitting up. If you spend most of your time on the couch or at the table, look for plush, upholstered seating that improves your posture.

Privacy

Everyone seems to be having trouble getting privacy right now, especially if you live in a small space. Create more privacy by remodeling rooms that can pull double duty—one for each member of the family. Finish your basement, add an outdoor room or she-shed, or even empty out a large closet to make space for work, school, and extracurricular activities. You could even put up partitions using screens, curtains, or bookshelves to divide a larger room into multiple spaces.

Convenience

Perhaps you’re noticing that your home doesn’t function as well as you’d like, and you’re craving more convenience. Kitchen remodels are a great place to add more convenient items, such as a dishwasher, coffee bar, or larger refrigerator. Many people are cooking all of their meals at home, so a new kitchen can be ideal. It can also increase the value of your home.

Relaxation

Many people can’t visit the spa or vacation as much nowadays, so why not bring a little relaxation into your home? You can achieve tranquility by adding a meditation room, remodeling your bathroom to include a jetted tub, or simply with interior painting (or exterior painting if you’ve been spending more time outdoors). Interior painting can be done in a calming shade of blue or lavender or a fun color that reminds you of your favorite destination. Interior painting not only changes the mood in your home, but it can also decrease health risks by sealing old, lead paint that was used in homes built before 1978. You could even hire professionals to replace your residential drywall or tackle your residential interior painting jobs.

Entertainment

You might be feeling starved for entertainment with movie theaters, shops, and restaurants closed or limiting capacity. A great way to bring the entertainment home is to turn a room into a home theater, add a swimming pool, or build an outdoor kitchen so you can dine under the stars. Consider what you and your family enjoy doing most and find a way to incorporate it into your home.

Organization

Now that homes are also offices, schools, and playgrounds, you might be feeling a bit disorganized. Try adding clever storage solutions to put it all away at the end of the work or school day. Install lockers in the mudroom or garage, purchase pretty baskets to stow away toys, add built-ins, replace old cabinets to include soft-close drawers, or hide computers and books in cleverly concealed electronic stations, rollaway work desks, or bins overnight.

People are finding new ways to work, learn, eat, sleep, and vacation—all without leaving the comfort of their homes. However, many are finding that their homes could use a little improvement to do these things more easily. Before you tackle any renovations, consider what’s most important to you and your family. Once you decide, your home could end up feeling less like a prison and more like a retreat.