Well, well, well. The kids’ extracurricular activities? Canceled. Staying late at work when you’re working from home? Gone. All of those commitments and excuses that keep you so busy are now out of the way. You have nothing but free time on your weekends, so now is finally the time to tackle that home to-do list you’ve been putting off. How can you use this time wisely? Just imagine the possibilities!
Spring Cleaning
When I was a child, my mother and grandma made us drop everything for a weekend to do a full spring cleaning of the house. I’m talking window screens and window washing, dusting and washing every square inch of baseboards, pulling things out of cabinets for a full clean and silver polishing. This is your chance to make your house shine like it hasn’t shined in years. Think you need cleaning supplies? Go the old-fashioned route and remember vinegar and old towels and socks will do the trick!
Storage Organization
It’s time to tackle that pantry mess, the basement shelves or just your walk-in closet that you’ve been wanting to go through and organize can now get the time you’ve needed to do it right. Online shopping can get shelving and bins you may need delivered to your door, and you can box up items you no longer have use for to donate or sell at a later time. It’s time to get rid of anything you haven’t used in more than a year.
Paint and Repairs
You can buy paint online, and while selecting a color may be tricky, you can finally get around to painting that room you’ve been meaning to do or working on your home’s exterior with a new door color or sealant for your fence or deck. Your “Honey-Do” list can also be tackled, from fixing a flapping shutter, patching up the hole created when your son threw a ball in the house (despite your warnings) and even darning (yes, darning!) clothing with small holes or missing buttons.
Rearrange the Furniture
You don’t need to spend money to get a new look at home. Shake things up and rearrange the furniture in your bedrooms and living room and be creative with things you have at home. (Especially when you finally clean out the basement and find some forgotten treasures!)
Create an Outdoor Oasis
If you’re going to be stuck at home, make your front porch or back deck the most inviting it has ever been. Order patio décor, lighting, outdoor rugs and other items that can give you an outdoor living space so you won’t have to be stuck inside all day. If you’re able to work from home, purchase a WiFi extender so you can work from your backyard, soaking up the sun and listening to the birds chirping—you won’t feel as cooped up and maybe will get used to this social distancing thing, after all.
