The Top Home Improvements for Home Health
With a few careful considerations, you can create a healthier space where wellness and wellbeing are supported by your home environment. We look at some dos and don’ts that help you to tick both the home improvement and home health boxes.
Text: Elizabeth Shields
Clean healthy homes
Watch TV for any length and time, and you will soon bump into a home improvements-themed show. Offering a glimpse into the lives and homes of others, such programmes show how to redecorate, spruce up and bring some extra sparkle to your home. You may well feel inspired to make small or even large changes at home as a result. But at what cost? It’s worth considering home health when you look to make home improvements. With a few careful considerations, you can create a healthier home where your home environment supports wellness and wellbeing. We look at some dos and don’ts that help you tick both the home improvement and home health boxes.
Get rid of the mildew
What Do We Mean by Home Health?
What is home health? And why does it matter? It’s likely that you already know the answer to these questions at an instinctive level. Some rooms feel cozy, welcoming and support a sense of serenity. You feel good, and at ease. Yet, you may also know of spaces (perhaps even in your own home) where you feel tense and uncomfortable. Spaces that support your sense of overall wellbeing can be considered example of rooms and houses that promote Home Health.
We can think of home health at both a physical and a psychological level. Home health is ultimately a holistic concept that encourages us towards home improvement choices that reduce air pollutant and toxic fumes in our homes whilst also considering how clutter, chaos and unfinished décor can impact our mental and emotional wellbeing. Home health matters because it impacts our quality of life.
So, home improvements for home health? Let’s consider 3 larger projects that may require some planning, preparation, or investment, and 3 simple and economical changes you can make today.
Mind the Mould
If you spot signs of mould growing in your home, you need to act. Mould and mildew growth are unsightly, and more worryingly can lead to poor health outcomes. Damp and mould in your home means your immune systems may be impacted and you are more likely to have respiratory problems and allergies.
Mould is often associated with dampness. Check there are no leaks or sources of water ingress. Are gutters overflowing with debris, leading to water making its way into the home? If so, hiring a cleaner to de-gunk and clear out gutters is a worthwhile investment. Check you don’t have any seeping pipes or leaks in your plumbing systems.
Once you’ve ruled out these culprits, it could be that there is dampness in the property from everyday moisture build-up. In this case, consider investing in a dehumidifier. You may also like to consider a whole-house air purifier that can cleanse and circulate the air in the house preventing mildew and mould.
Having tackled the source of the mould, you’ll need to attend to cleaning any historic mildew or mould spots. Seek advice, as it can be dangerous to clean away mould without appropriate PPE.
Redecorate and Finish the DIY Project
If you find yourself staring at the half-finished DIY project, or the unfinished décor task, it’s likely your wellbeing is suffering. Cluttered and messy spaces at home can feel overwhelming. Research shows that people who described their homes as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects” were more likely to experience depression and fatigue. Luckily, there are ways to live a clutter-free life.
So, to promote home health, find ways to get the project back on track. Prioritise one area or room at a time and create a plan.
Furnishings and Finishes that Breathe Life into Your Home
As part of any redecorating or renovation, ensure you pay attention and give conscious thought to the products you will be using and the fixtures or fittings you may be adding to your home. Avoid paint, wallcovering and furnishing items that contain toxic chemicals that will negatively impact your home’s air quality. You are looking for products that are low in Volatile Organic Compounds, or free from VOCs. VOCs are chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products, industrial solvents, varnishes, and paints which lead to reduced air quality and can cause a range of health conditions, including cancer.
Do your research and opt for low VOC or VOC-free products as part of any redesign. You can further reduce the home health impact of any low VOC products by ensuring good ventilation whilst you work on the project.
Adding botanical touches to your home
Add Plants
Plants help to bring the outside in and create a serene and calming effect. Research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic found having plants in the home boosted emotional wellbeing for almost three quarters of participants. People with house plants were more likely to experience fewer negative emotions.
The good news is, even if you are most definitely not a gardener, you can achieve a similar effect by including photos of nature or even artificial plants in your design.
However, for optimal home health, look to source living houseplants. Some plants are known to increase quality, with Monstera Deliciosa, Spathiphyllum and Calathe all being prized for their air purification properties.
Streamline Your Clean
We’ve mentioned the impact of VOC’s already when it comes to home décor. You can make simple changes to your home health by introducing fewer toxic chemicals to your home when you clean.
Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products, or even homemade cleaning products from cupboard ingredients such as white vinegar, lemon juice, and bicarb. Numerous recipes exist online.
You can also make your cleaning product cupboard and your cleaning routine simpler by opting for an all-rounder natural-based cleaning product, such as Castille Soap. Castille Soap is vegan and fully-biodegradable and can be used for a range of household cleaning tasks, including windows, toilets, dishwashing and as a floor cleaner.
Spending 10-minutes each day clearing the clutter
Clear the Clutter
One final tip for a home improvement for a healthy home is to spend 10-minutes each day clearing the clutter. In a similar way to the unfinished décor project, piles of items left lying around become an eyesore and a negative reminder of what needs doing. Stay on top of the clutter by a regular, short sort and tidy. Aim to make this a shared and collaborative task, with household members all playing their part. To increase the energy, choose 3 songs that you love, and boogie and groove your way through the chore. After 3 songs’ worth, you know you’re done! It may help to invest in some elegant and natural wicker storage baskets which are a simple way to house and clear the clutter without fuss.
So, consider home health as a key component in any home improvement plans. As we’ve seen, home health improvements can be big or small, quick or more time-intensive. Consider which of these tips seem to be a step forward towards increased home health for you and your family and make the change today. Your home and your health will thank you for it.
