Quarantine Quiz...how to make home "work" in 5 easy steps.

photo: @sarahsadventures

You are climbing the walls. Only so many glasses of wine can help manage the stress with your home functioning as school, office, date night, family time, spa and day care. The loo has become your private getaway (yeah, we know). It feels like you are living inside a  fictional dystopian novel. We get it. 

What can be done to make your muddled mayhem into a harmonious haven? Home has to work harder these days, so we have to be clever. Here are some simple tricks:

​1. CARVE OUT SPACE
You have unused spaces that normally, you would not delegate in regular times, but look around. Under your stairs makes a great play area for kids (of various ages) that feels like a cozy tent. Your unused dining room becomes a homeschool, supplying a giant sized desk. The guest room gets a makeover as your office-at-home as you post office hours outside the door, including breaks you will take, so everyone knows when they can access your time (and when they can't). 

2. ONLY USE ROOMS AS DESIGNATED
Don't use your kitchen table to work or your bedroom as a family TV space. It will feel better to go to bed when you haven't been in that room all day. 

3. BRING THE OUTSIDE IN 
It has been scientifically proven that being in nature provides stress relief and feeling of calmness. Biophilic Design is the expertise of bringing in nature to improve your physical and mental health into interior spaces. You can do this yourself by cutting plants in your garden to make a nice arrangement. Adding colors of nature and natural materials such as a jute rug will also help make your space feel calm. 

4. LATE NIGHT DATE NIGHT
Once a week, after kids are tucked in bed, plan an indoor "outing". Get dressed up, plan a special meal with fancy table settings and pop the good vino! After dinner, make popcorn and break out the secret stash of chocolate for the (living room) movie theatre. 

5. CANDLES 
Now is the time to use those candles collecting dust on your shelves. Light candles in the bath to give a feeling of a private sanctuary. Add music, a good book. 

"What quarantine? I LOVE being at home."