It's easier to wish for our home to be something different—to dream of perfect marble counter tops, a cozy front porch, or a pristine bathroom just like what we see on design magazines and HGTV. Because of these, we sometimes tend to fall out of love with our home, especially when we start to notice its little imperfections.

But no matter the size and age of our spaces, we should make the most of what we have and appreciate the roof over our heads. If you're falling out of love with your space, try these five suggestions to gain a deeper appreciation of your house and embrace it for what it is.

1. ADD SOME GREENERY

Make your home greener and more invigorating by adding house plants. They are inexpensive, make such fantastic decorations, and can also make your house happier and healthier. Plenty of studies have found out that indoor plants help us reduce stress and anxiety, improve air quality, and facilitate healing. Even if you're not one with a green thumb, you can tend to indoor plants that are low-maintenance and could be impossible to kill. If you have pets around the house, choose pet-friendly varieties such as spider plants and some succulents. Having house plants is a great way to appreciate your home. 

Shop online and have beautiful porch planters, indoor plants, seeds and gardening supplies delivered right to your door! Many local florists and nurseries are offering online ordering and contactless delivery & pickup — shop our local favourites Fleuristic Garden & Flower Studio and Belgian Nursery. Need a little inspiration? Follow local businesses on social media for gardening tips, planter inspiration, and even Q&A sessions on taking care of your plants!

2. TACKLE A HOME PROJECT YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY

Whether it is giving your front door a fresh coat of paint (hello, Classic Blue, the 2020 Pantone Colour of the Year!) or simply changing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets, try out that DIY upgrade that you've always thought about, and recapture the feeling of having something new in your home. There are tons of cheap but great DIY projects you can do to give your humble abode its “newness” factor it might have lost. There’s nothing more satisfying than making a home upgrade which, if done right, could even help in its future resale value — plus, you could learn a new skill in the process!

This is a great opportunity to use up supplies you have around the house — leftover paint cans, scraps of wood, upcycled fabrics, etc. If you need to buy something new, home improvement stores like Home Depot and Canadian Tire are offering online ordering with contactless store pickup or delivery, and there are plenty of sales going on! Find tutorials on Pinterest or DIY blogs like Designer Trapped and Remodelaholic.

3. SEE YOUR HOME IN A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Sometimes, if there's not enough room in our budget to complete even a DIY upgrade, all we need is a fresh perspective. Use your space in a new way by trying out a new living room arrangement, rearrange the furniture, or go bolder and swap two rooms entirely. These will give you a new outlook on how you’re using a particular space. Simply changing your room arrangement may even give you more space to set up the perfect reading nook, a mini creative studio or home office.

Check out Apartment Therapy for creative ways to make the most out of small spaces and awkward layouts.

4. LET THERE BE LIGHT

You may be surprised that simply tweaking the lighting in a room can dramatically change its mood. Lighting is often a neglected part of interior design but it plays an important role in promoting functionality and creating the illusion of space. For starters, reevaluate the lighting in each room and make sure every light in your home serves a purpose to maximize its potential. A new table lamp or an overhead fixture can make an amazing difference in the experience of a room, so don't be afraid to have enough light sources.

Try Structube and Wayfair for affordable lighting, delivered right to your door!

5. MAKE CLEANING PART OF YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE

The moment you get your keys, you should treat yourself and your home as one. This is why you should consider cleaning as part of your self-care, as a way to express gratitude for your home and embrace what you have. This way, cleaning will be something you'll enjoy doing! It will help set your mood towards accomplishing other bigger tasks you want to do in your home.

Shop local and environmentally friendly — Molloy’s Bulk Refill is offering contactless delivery, or check out Avocado Co-op for a huge selection of sustainably-sourced home products.

There are many ways we can appreciate the place we call home. Because no matter its size, style, or structure, it will always be our sanctuary, now more than ever. At the end of the day, be thankful for the people you share your home with, and the countless memories you've shared under your humble roof over the years.

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