Want to become a happier, healthier you? It all starts with your house. Yes, working out and eating a healthy diet are very important, but if you don’t live in a health-promoting environment, you might not reach your full potential.
Which household features are essential if you want to design a healthier home environment? With skilled, reliable contractors in charge of renovations, these remodeling projects can help you upgrade your home and your health.
Build a Fence for Your Yard
Perhaps you don’t get much use out of your backyard now, but consider redesigning this space to be an outdoor haven you can escape to when you’re stressed. Spending time outdoors is a great way to reduce your stress levels. According to Ask the Scientists, people who go outdoors more often tend to have better cognitive function and increased longevity.
Building a fence can be quite an undertaking, but with the right approach and a few weekends, you can put together a great fence that secures your yard and offers visual appeal. Look for a design plan that fits your skill level, and work with lumber experts R.C. Goodwyn & Sons to determine the best materials for your project. When budgeting, consider that wood costs can run you around $100 to $125 per 8 feet.
Add Wood Floors
Removing carpeting and installing wood flooring can benefit your health. Carpeting traps dust and allergens which can make breathing difficult, while wood floors are easier to clean (and they can make your home more valuable). Averaging $3,930, putting in a wood floor can be an expensive project. Costs will partially depend on how much additional work you need done, such as moving furniture and disposing of old carpeting/flooring. Keep in mind that exotic woods like hickory and ash will cost $4 - $7 per square foot just for materials, while pine will run you $2 - $4 per square foot.
Create a Personal Library
If you feel like you own enough books to run a library, why not design your own personal library in your home? Having a home library will encourage you to spend more time reading, and according to Real Simple, reading improves your neurological health and helps reduce anxiety.
To create the perfect home library, you’ll probably want sturdy, built-in shelving for your books, which will probably cost you $2,000 - $5,000. If you want to choose the perfect contractor, Nationwide suggests discussing your plans with three or four different candidates, and ensuring that they can provide financial references and contact details for former clients.
Install Skylights
Did you know that allowing more natural light into your home actually helps you get a higher dose of vitamin D, alleviates symptoms of depression, and increases your productivity levels? Installing skylights will enable you to enjoy more natural light in your home. Having basic skylights installed will run you about $150 to $500 for materials and $500 to $3,000 for labor.
For a project like this, choose your contractor very carefully because shoddy construction could compromise the structural integrity of your ceiling. Reach out to their previous customers and ask about the quality of their work.
Build Storage Shelves
The science is in: According to Thrive Global, decluttering your home can actually help you fight depression, improve the air quality in your home, and boost your concentration. If you’re wondering where to store your belongings, don’t waste wall space! Floating shelves are a fantastic storage solution.
You can install wall-mounted shelves on your own, and the materials will cost you between $40 to $50. But if you don’t feel confident in your DIY skills, it isn’t hard to find a contractor for this simple project. Even though this is a basic renovation, you should still make sure to check out their certifications and qualifications before working with them.
It’s easy to overlook how the environment within your home influences your health, but upgrading certain features in your home could be the key to becoming your healthiest self. By creating spaces where you can truly relax and constructing storage options that keep your home clean and organized, you can ensure that every room of your home supports your mental and physical health. Best of all, these projects can go a long way toward improving your home’s value when the time comes to sell. It’s a win-win!
