When it comes time to settle down, ditch the roommate lifestyle or stop living with your parents, you want more than a house—you want a home. Whether you’re buying a new home or renting an apartment, it’s the design and products you buy for the place you live that make it cozy and welcoming. So, with that in mind, how do you know what products and appliances are worthwhile and which are a waste of money?
The first thing to think about is what makes you feel welcome and comfortable. Is it the air quality and having plenty of fresh air or ventilation? If that’s the case, you know you should look for a place with plenty of windows for optimal airflow. Do you need a washer and dryer in your house so that you don’t spend time at the laundromat? Well, consider the products you use in the washer and dryer, as well as whether those appliances are energy efficient. Once you’ve asked yourself the right questions, you’ll have more of an idea of what steps to take to make your living space into the ideal home of your dreams. Read on for some questions you should be asking yourself.
Are open windows enough for the airflow you want?
Some people couldn’t care less about the indoor air quality—these are the folks who don’t mind living in a basement apartment with terrible air quality or even toxic radon levels. Don’t be that person. Instead, invest in your health by making sure to increase the flow of fresh air in your living space. If you don’t have many windows, you can open them to let in outdoor air; invest in an HVAC system or an air conditioner you can install in an open window. You can install a refurbished PTAC from PTAC4Less to make spare rooms more comfortable. Consider an air purifier and a dehumidifier so that the moisture in your indoor air doesn’t lead to mold growth in your ducts or crawl space. Mold, especially black mold, can be poisonous and can exacerbate any allergies you may have. Any homeowner (or renter) in the United States should think about ventilation when they’re crafting their dream home.
Do you have any allergies?
Allergies aren’t just exacerbated by moisture and mold—allergic reactions can also be triggered by cleaners or fragrances in shampoo, laundry detergent, or other products you use around the house. Good news! If you want to avoid triggering your allergies, get cleaners that are odour-free, like soap sheets, instead of traditional laundry detergent that comes in powders or pods. Not only do these soap sheets do as good a job at cleaning stains as any other detergent would, but they’re also better for you and better for the environment at the same time because they cut out all the plastic your laundry detergent powder and pods entail.
How will you design your bedroom?
The bedroom is where the magic happens. That is to say, it’s where you should feel the coziest, your haven from the rest of the world. Outfit your bedroom with accessories and decor that speak of real comfort. When you see the open door to your bedroom, no matter how much the world exhausts you, you should feel comforted. This is the best way to make a house a home.
Are you an introverted person or an extroverted person?
If you’re more of a homebody, maybe you’ll want to spend more time choosing a carpet for your bedroom or accessories for your master bath than your living space. If you’re a party person or like to host, you’ll want to spend time thinking about the shared living space. Hang photos of your family over the fireplace, crack an open window to let in a breeze and consider turning on the stove to make some treats to share. The smell of home-cooked food is sure to make a house a home, so if you’re an extrovert, invest in kitchen gadgets.
In the end, the best products for your home are up to you. Make sure to ask yourself the right questions and answer honestly, and you’ll be on your way to a happy home in no time.
