Extreme Makeover: Quarantine Edition

How to restore your home back to the place of comfort and repose during these uneasy times

By: Mitchell Levesque

If you have been confined to your childhood bedroom or first apartment for the past few weeks, any small amount of satisfaction once felt for the setting has most likely dissipated from prolonged isolation. Even if you are not apart of one of these two groups and summer in the Mediterranean, you’ve probably felt your satisfaction in your living quarters wane after weeks spent in the same space. However, that fact does not have to mean defeat. Rather, with the right concentration and effort, your spaces can become more inviting and conducive to relaxation.  

The first thing you can do to enhance your living space is to redecorate; new blankets and framed pictures can be a good addition, but the easiest way to begin is to adopt a plant. Espousing the company of some green vegetation can brighten any room, making it feel more alive, even if the plant is plastic. Another method for bettering your home experience is to dedicate a room or space exclusively to relaxation. This area may be as simple as a chair in the corner, yet once decorated or fixed with an accompanying lamp, this space can become a home all its own. The final adjustment is in regards to your mindset; how well you acclimate to your space and environment can be greatly influenced by your mental attitude. Pairing a positive mentality with regular exercise and time to breathe easy can help contribute to a happier demeanor that allows you to further relax in your home.

Being able to unwind in your space should be a given, yet with the complications of isolation, it may no longer feel like one. Working to make your space into something special and comfortable enough to last time in isolation can feel overwhelming. However, with a few simple steps and enough plants, the space can be something bright in these dark times. The last piece of advice I will impart is to enjoy who you live with and cherish their presence. If you do not have the luxury of living with others, see if you can Zoom or FaceTime some friends and family. In the end what makes a place a home is not the items you fill it with, but rather the people you enjoy it with.