Tackling a home renovation project is exciting. It can boost your motivation, inspire creativity, and help you turn your living space into something that better fits your personality.
There are also plenty of mental health benefits associated with home renovation projects. While they can be a lot of work, especially if you’re taking on a project yourself, discovering those benefits as you go along will make the experience much more fulfilling.
However, there are important things to keep in mind and different ways to prepare before you start a big project. With a little extra planning, you can ensure your efforts won’t cause extra stress, and you can enjoy the process of creating something new or updating an area of your home to fit your needs.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how your mental health can benefit from a home renovation project, and some tips you should put in place to prepare.
Figure Out Your Finances
You might be asking yourself how a home renovation project can help your mental health when you’re scratching your head over how to afford it. That’s why you’ll need to make a list of your home renovation costs and priorities.
There’s no denying that certain renovation projects can be costly. Construction supplies are often expensive, and hiring workers can tap out your budget even faster. You can reduce that stress by prioritizing your projects.
Determine which projects need to get tackled first. Urgent renovations typically include things that are currently unsafe or making it difficult to get through your day comfortably, like a leaky roof or faulty wiring.
Once you take on the urgent needs, you can start to focus more on things that will improve the overall aesthetic of your home, including:
- Painting
- Installing new appliances
- Light fixtures
- Finishing your basement or “extra” rooms
Finally, don’t be afraid to create a “wish list” for yourself. You might not be able to take on multiple projects right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save up for them, or that you won’t be in a different financial situation later. Your wish list gives you something to look forward to, which can boost your motivation and mental well-being all at once.
Create a Healthy Space
Almost any type of home renovation gives you the opportunity to be creative and achieve a sense of accomplishment. However, if you really want to make the most of your projects, choose an aesthetic specifically designed to improve your overall well-being.
Your space displays your identity. It showcases who you are and what you want others to see when they come to visit.
As you focus on that idea, make renovation choices that feel good to you and will naturally improve your mental health. The paint colors you choose, for example, can have a big influence on your mood. Some of the best paint colors to promote mental wellness include:
- White
- Blue
- Pink
- Green
- Orange
- Yellow
- Purple
Each color has a different purpose and can suggest a different mood. Yellow, for example, is a color of joy and can be used in your kitchen to boost your spirits every morning. Purple is a meditative color and can be used anywhere you want to feel relaxed and contemplative. Get creative with your colors in each room, and determine your needs for each individual space.
Focus On Your Needs
There are many reasons why you might be thinking about starting a home renovation project. Maybe you just moved into a “fixer-upper,” or maybe you’ve lived in your house for a long time and it needs a facelift.
Maybe you’ve gone through a recent life change, like a divorce, and you’re moving somewhere new or you want to change the look and feel of your marital home to fit your personality. Taking on home projects is a great way to heal and let your creativity shine. Taking on a project after a divorce is another good reason to get your finances in order, especially if you’re going from a double-income household down to a single one. Make sure your new budget includes the supplies you’ll need for renovations, and consider starting an “emergency fund” if you run into any snags along the way.
Some people choose to renovate before or shortly after bringing a pet into their home. Adopting a dog, for example, is another fantastic way to boost your mental health. Some of the biggest benefits of having a dog around include:
- Reduced stress
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Less loneliness
Depending on the type of home you have (including space and how much you’re wanting to renovate), you might want to narrow down your adoption search to certain breeds and sizes. Consider asking a trainer or a veterinarian about different types of dogs and their temperaments.
No matter the reason for tackling a home renovation project, you’ll get the greatest mental health benefits of it if you truly do something to make your house feel more like home. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or a major renovation that requires professional assistance, you can enjoy the process and reap the mental health benefits of a fresh space.
Author: Ainsley Lawrence
Ainsley Lawrence is a writer who enjoys discussing how business and professionalism intersect with the personal, social, and technological needs of today. She is frequently lost in a good book.
