7 Things to Do Around the House While Social Distancing 

If you’re like many people these days, you probably find yourself stuck in the house a bit more than usual. Why not make your environment as aesthetically pleasing as possible?

You can use this time of social distancing for more than catching up on your latest Netflix binge. Why not dust off those home improvement projects you have put off forever? By the time this crisis ends — and it eventually will — you’ll feel proud to show off your palace.

1. Replace Your Air Filters

How long has it been since you cleaned your air filters? If you use inexpensive fiberglass versions, you should change them every time you pay your rent or mortgage, while you only need to replace pleated ones every three to six months, depending on how often you run your system. However, if you have pets or smokers in the home, you should change them more often.

2. Redo Your Basement

If you now plan to work from home for the foreseeable future, you might consider converting your basement into an office space. If you live in an area that experiences flooding, you might need to install a new sump pump to keep things dry and protect your foundation from costly repairs. Pedestal sump pumps last for up to 25 years, and they’re more accessible for repairs than submersible versions.

You also need a way to stay warm during the colder months. If your budget is tight, you can find inexpensive space heaters — always make sure to unplug them when you’re not using them. You can also find elegant fireplace versions that hang on your wall for ambiance.

3. Upgrade Your Lighting

Since you’ll be spending more time indoors, you want to see clearly to prevent eyestrain and headaches. Incandescent bulbs can cost approximately $60 more to operate over their lifespan than compact fluorescent versions, so replace these now.

Now is also the ideal time to take down heavy curtains and wash them. You can leave them off to avail yourself of natural light. If you have concerns about privacy, look into window film that keeps outsiders from seeing in while protecting your view of the outdoors.

4. Dust and Arrange Bookshelves

Let’s face it — your bookshelves probably don’t see a lot of attention during typical times. These can accumulate a substantial amount of dust, so why not take everything off and wipe it down? You can then rearrange your shelves by author and save up a yard sale or library donation pile for after the crisis abates.

5. Paint

Despite stay-at-home measures, many big-box retailers such as Lowe’s remain open — much to the delight of many. Paint doesn’t cost much, but it can transform the appearance of your entire home. Use this time to color your child’s playroom in pastels or liven up your living room with an accent wall.

6. Rearrange Your Furniture

If you recently lost your job due to the downturn, you might not have any extra money at all. You can still give your living area a new look by rearranging your furniture. How would your perspective change if you faced your couches toward your picture window instead of your television? Maybe you would feel inspired to head out for a walk more often.

7. Prep Your Garden for Planting

You can’t gather in public places, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get outdoors. Before you know it, you will need to plant your tomatoes and peppers, so why not prep your beds for summer? If you don’t have flowerbeds already, learn how to create new ones and add beauty to your home. You can plant vegetables, too, to ensure your family always has a steady supply of fresh greens.

Get Your House Beautiful During Social Distancing With These Tips

Social distancing offers the perfect opportunity to spruce up your home. Try one of these seven projects the next time you feel a bit stir-crazy.

About Kacey Bradley

Kacey Bradley is the lifestyle and travel blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she frequently writes for sites like US Travel News, Thought Catalog, Style Me Pretty, Tripping.com and more!

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