A Fresh Coat
Interior painting just got easier: These 12-by-12-inch Peel-and-Stick Paint Samples feature two coats of any Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, PPG or Sherwin-Williams paint color. They’re movable so you can check your hue on various walls before committing. $6 each, samplize.com
Designer Inspo
Lee Mayer, co-author of Design the Home You Love: Practical Styling Advice to Make the Most of Your Space(Ten Speed Press) knows home design can be a challenge. That’s why her book is filled with ways to repurpose spaces and improve function in our new work-from-home world. “Many people are trying to keep private spaces like bedrooms as a place of refuge,” she says. “Anything that can help you mentally signal a shift between home and work mode, your time and your company’s time, can be really helpful.” $24, amazon.com
Put the Fun in Function
“My favorite tip is to create some order in the chaos with intentional organization,” Mayer says. Peggy Wall Hooks fit the bill. They’re good-looking enough for an entryway and sturdy enough for leashes, winter coats, grocery totes and all of those pandemic masks you need a handy place to hang. $24 each, shelfology.com
Healthy Hardware
The pandemic made us super aware of what we’re touching (in fact, touch-free sinks and toilets saw a boost in popularity). If a full bathroom upgrade isn’t in the cards (the second-most-popular pandemic reno), maybe it’s a good time to upgrade those handles and doorknobs we’re constantly reaching for. Materials like copper, brass and bronze (known for their natural antimicrobial properties) add a new shine and style to doorknobs and cabinet hardware, like the Trask Cabinet Knob and Drawer Pull. $20 and $30, rejuvenation.com
Welcome Home
There’s more to curb appeal (which can up your home’s perceived value by 11 percent) than just landscaping, which was the third-most-popular pandemic project. A new light fixture like the Owen Outdoor Sconce is a simple upgrade that will light up your life—or at least your front door. $99, ballarddesigns.com
Pretty Patterns
Homeowners are adding big-impact wallpaper to small spaces like powder rooms and makeshift closet offices, Mayer says. For a change of scenery, Chasing Paper Wallpaper comes in a variety of patterns in traditional and peel-and-stick options. From $40, chasingpaper.com
Wrap It Up
At the end of the day, Mayer suggests creating a ritual of wrapping away power cords (try the Jumbo Cable Catch to keep things neat) and putting away work materials. “This will give you a mental break from looking at the relics of the workday while also reducing the visual noise around your spaces to create a greater sense of calm,” she says. $10, poppin.com
Relax Outside
Outdoor spaces became even more important during the pandemic, making us reconsider how those areas function. Ask yourself, says Mayer, “Will I be eating outside? Do I need space for a firepit? The key here is to think about your lifestyle.” Even one really great chair, like the Safavieh Outdoor Living Rocking Chair, can elevate your outdoor living. $340, overstock.com
