Decluttering, Deep Cleaning, and Feng Shui

Now that a lot of people are confined to their homes and apartments, design experts at Hausera, a newly launched online kitchen & bath retailer, say now is a great time to clean, organize and freshen up your space to make sure it’s as calm and relaxing as possible.

Below are a few ways they recommend for enhancing a home or apartment.

Declutter

Design experts at Hausera say you should start by organizing and asking yourself what you really need to keep and what you can safely live without. Then, "Marie Kondo" every room by getting rid of items that don’t inspire you or spark joy. Just remember, getting rid of something doesn’t necessarily mean throwing it away. You could also donate it to charity or sell it to make a profit.  

When it comes to the kitchen, your focus should be on cleaning out your pantry, cabinets and junk drawers. Make sure you get rid of any expired products, broken objects and any items you don’t use on a frequent basis.

When it comes to the bathroom, make sure you clean under the sink and in the medicine cabinet. Get rid of expired makeup, expired skin care products and anything you haven’t actually used in a long time or since you’ve bought it.

Do A Deep Clean 

Design experts at Hausera say once you’re finished decluttering, it’s time to do a deep clean. First, you should gather your cleaning supplies, so you have everything ready to use. Then you should start sweeping, dusting and vacuuming. Don’t forget to disinfect door handles, cabinet handles and light switches. You don’t want to miss an inch.

 In the kitchen, be extra careful because you want the space where you prepare meals for your family to be clean and hygienic. Make sure you pay special attention to the windows, countertops, hardware, stovetop, fridge, sink, microwave, cutting board and oven. 

 In the bathroom, make sure you deep clean the shower, the tub, the bathroom sink, the mirror, the faucets, the bath mats and the shower drain.

Designing Rooms with Feng Shui 

Feng Shui is an ancient art and science that was developed centuries ago in China. To put it simply, it is the act of positioning the furniture and accessories in your home with the flow of nature and natural energy. There are two principles and five elements to follow in order for you to live in balance and harmony. Here are the basics: 

The commanding position is the best way to position furniture around the room. For instance, you want your stove, your desk, and your bed to face the doorway without being aligned with the doorway. This allows you to deal with whatever walks into your life.

Meanwhile, the Bagua is the energy map – or floor plan – of the room. There are eight areas of the map that represent different things for the home – wealth, passion, self-care, family, children, knowledge, career, and travel. However, it’s important to choose three areas and focus specifically on them.

There are five different elements – earth, fire, wood, metal, and water. Each of these elements represents certain colors and can enhance a gua, which will enhance the overall energy in your home. Earth represents being grounded and stable. Its associated colors are brown, orange, and yellow. Meanwhile, fire represents passion and is associated with red. Wood represents vitality and is associated with both greens and blues. Metal represents efficiency and beauty and is associated with whites and metallics. Lastly, water represents flowing and shifting and is associated with black.

Design experts at Hausera say Feng Shui is beneficial for a number of reasons. For instance, the colors you choose to decorate your home with can impact your mood. You should get positive feelings when you walk into a room and Feng Shui can harmonize you and your environment. It can give you the feeling of peace, energy, joy, and serenity – especially when things are decluttered and organized! 

The first step to creating good Feng Shui in your home is cleaning and organizing the space. You should also check to make sure all appliances are operating properly because you don’t want anything that is broken or damaged in your living space. Remember, the less cluttered your home is, the less cluttered your mind will be. 

Additional ways to destress your space

Once you’re finished decluttering and cleaning your home, design experts at Hausera say there other ways to enhance your home environment. Try adding flowers and plants around your kitchen in order to bring the outdoors indoors. You could also place them on shelves in your bathroom or on countertops beside your sink. Plants add life and warmth to your home, so they’re perfect for any room. You can also add new scents and new candles to your kitchen counters or add drops of essential oils into a diffuser. Lemon and lavender around this time of year. Not only do they smell fresh, but they will improve your mood and relieve stress. Another great idea is to switch up the linens by bringing new hand towels into your kitchen and bathroom. Pick colors and patterns that fit the season. Last but not least, you should air out your home. Open the windows to get the smells of winter (and all the cleaning supplies) out of the house. Letting the fresh air in will make you feel much more relaxed. Plus, this will bring in plenty of natural light, illuminating your space. 

For more info about the latest trends in kitchen & bath styles, colors and design ideas as well as practical how-to guides that help with home remodeling and renovation projects, visit the Hausera blog