4 Ways to Update Your Home During the Pandemic

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The Covid-19 pandemic has given us all the itch for home improvement. Naturally, being at home more makes us more aware of all the little (and big) updates that need to be made. Now is definitely the time to do it! I have made tons of updates to both the inside and outside of my home since the start of the pandemic and it has made my home feel so much warmer and more inviting.

With Spring approaching, it is a great opportunity to make some home improvement updates. I know you’re saying “help a sista out”! Ok, ok, I got you! Here are four recommendations for updates that you can make to your home: 

1. Redesign your entryway
This is an area that gets a lot of use as you go in and out of your home, so why not transform it and make it a statement area? Given that this space tends to be on the smaller side, it should be easy to make some quick updates to offer big impact. One of the things you can start with is paint, which is an affordable way to warm up the space. Try doing it yourself to save some money (put your back into it, honey!) 
 
You can also update the flooring to change the entire feel in the space. My old floors were a medium brown wood, but I really wanted a lighter wood with grey tones not only to go along with my decor, but to also lighten up the space because that hall doesn't get a lot of natural light. My hardwood floors are actually made of Brazilian wood. Places like Brazilian Wood Depot offer various flooring options – check them out to see if one of their flooring options strike your fancy. Their flooring is 100% natural with no added chemicals, which is a huge plus! 
 
As a final touch to your entryway, hang some pictures to give it some flavor. I personally like to display pictures in black and white from my travel adventures, so you'll see them in my entry way to welcome you as well as all over my home.

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Did anyone else watch that HGTV show Curb Appeal? Man, I was OBSESSED with it! If you're the type who likes to wow when guests pull up to your crib, then curb appeal is what you need! I LOVE the look of wood siding on the front of a house – it’s so modern and chic! I especially love the look of and cost of Ipe siding. Ipe is a great material to use on your home, not only because it’s real wood, but also because it's durable and is maintenance free. You can add visual interest to the outside of your home by adding the IPE siding to key moments to highlight architectural details. It looks really cool around windows or against other materials like steel or concrete. Installing Ipe siding will def make your neighbors jealous and have you be the curb appeal queen of the block! Get it sis! ​

Image: Brazilian Wood Depot

Image: Brazilian Wood Depot

3. Create a cozy outdoor patio.
If you're going to be home a lot, you might as well enjoy your outdoor space, amirite? I'm SO glad I invested the time last summer updating my patio. I have a concrete slab, so a quick power wash was the key to giving it new life. Then I ordered a comfy patio sofa set, and got a cantilever umbrella to help keep cool on hot days. Of course, you can't forget the decor elements! I added a contemporary outdoor rug and some yellow pillows for comfort and style. The final touch was adding plants in colorful pots to give a garden vibe. Now my back patio is a destination. You better believe I sit out there and have refreshing drinks – it’s the best spot in the house!

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4. Paint your kitchen cabinets
Painting my kitchen cabinets was one of the most rewarding projects I've done at home. It can be time consuming because of all the steps, but it is SO worth it! But not biggie because you got time, right? LOL. The best advice I can give you is to choose a color that you wouldn't mind looking at every day. I chose white paint because my kitchen doesn't get a ton of natural light and I wanted to keep the space light and airy. My granite countertops are also kind of busy, so white helps bring it all together. Don’t forget to update your cabinet hardware to take it to the next level. With a little elbow grease, soon you'll be cooking (and eating) in style!

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Have you made any updates to your home already during the pandemic? Which of the above updates are you willing to try? If you do try one of them, I would love to hear about it! Comment below to let me know which updates you’re going to implement this Spring!
 
Until the next adventure,
~T