The safest place today is undoubtedly one's home. With everyone locked inside for their own as well as the safety of others, our abodes have become multifunctional spaces that turn into our gym, home office, date night venue, classroom, and more. And so, creating a safe and holistic interior is of utmost importance. Here are tips that'll help you create a happy and calming home.
Cleanliness First
Maintaining hygiene in your home's premises is vital, now more than ever. From dusting shelves and mopping floors, to scrubbing bathroom tiles and wiping kitchen countertops, ensure that you keep surfaces clean. Don't forget to sanitise spaces that may go unnoticed but are frequently used and touched such as doorknobs, faucets, TV remote, etc. Dr Anita Mathew, Senior Consultant, Physician & Infectious Disease Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund recommends removing one's shoes outside the main door to avoid bringing germs into the house. She suggests keeping a pair of flip-flops to wear inside one's home.
Creating Ergonomic Spaces
Since we are no longer using spaces as per their designed usage, we need to ensure that they are ergonomic and multifunctional. For instance, if you are starved for space, you can create a home office in your living room or bedroom. Dedicate a corner for this purpose by adding a work desk, chair and essentials you need for your office work like a laptop, stationery, headphones, etc. Keep it clutter-free and ask other family members to not disturb you while you are at work.
Another area that can be utilised well is the kitchen, as most meals are now being cooked at home. Keeping your kitchen well-organised can save you time while cooking as well as when you need to find the right crockery and cutlery. Store things that you use the most like pans, spoons, plates in shelves that are easily reachable without having to bend and stretch much. Keep the kitchen slab empty to place hot pots and plates once meals are ready. And if you have an open kitchen with a dining table, you can use it for office work when not in use.
Since it is important to get your daily dose of exercise, have some space dedicated at home for your workout. Ideally, pick a spot that is well ventilated so that you can breathe in fresh air and the room doesn't feel stuffy post the workout. Adding a few planters to this space will enhance the decor and purify the air too. Pushing all the furniture in your living room against the wall can help create enough open space in the centre for your workouts.
Living Together 24x7
As we get used to the new normal of spending all our time indoors with the family, issues tend ot crop up due to the lack of space and too much ‘we time'. Manish Dikshit, partner, Aum Architects suggests demarcating private, semi-private and common areas in the house. It is essential that everyone gets some ‘me time' for themselves in their private zone, and the family sits together in the common zones. To create a semi-private area, one can add partitions in the existing space such a sliding glass door, curtain, screen or divider.
Calming Interiors
The sudden and massive changes that have been imposed have affected many people's mental health as well. It is important to stay calm and positive in these trying times. You can create a small meditation corner in your cocoon that lets you relax. Pick a spot that is silent and free from distractions like TV, speakers. Allow natural light to filter in and add a floor mat or mattress for your seating. You can amp up the decor by adding religious idols or meditation bowls, a serene painting, some planters, candles or lamps. Make it a habit to spend 15-20 minutes alone in this space every day. Make use of meditation apps or tutorials if needed. If you have anxiety issues, Kedar Tilwe, psychiatrist at SL Raheja Hospital suggests having a clean, minimalistic décor that can soothe your senses. “Nurturing houseplants or maintaining a small kitchen garden can become a hobby that can be stress-buster,” he says. Scents from essential oils can also help reduce stress.
Remember, making your home your ‘happy place' by personalising it with things you love will make it more endearing as well as holistic. Photos of memorable events and trinkets from your travels will add to the decor and enhance the interiors with your personal touch.
AD India celebrates World Interiors Day in association with Asian Paints
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