Best Pandemic Home Add-Ons for Food Security and Relaxation
Back in 2020, practically the global food supply chain had a disruption of some sort, whether in terms of laid-off farmers, diminished work hours in food processing plants, problems with logistics, or shortage of raw materials. While these problems proved to be temporary, the reality of just how vulnerable these moving parts were struck a lot of nerves among industry players, government agencies, and affected individuals.
As a result, many homeowners began to grow their own food such as vegetables and even some fruits to ensure that they’ll have something to eat should the worst happens with the food supply.
Meanwhile, property owners who had the money and a lot of time in their hands due to stay-at-home orders decided to carry out improvements to their homes. Some of them did so because they needed to have a dedicated place to work or study from home, while others just wanted their home to become more relaxing to cope with the stress and anxiety that the crisis brings.
If you happen to want food self-sufficiency and a more inviting home, be sure to consider these home add-ons to make pandemic living more bearable:
A conservatory.
If you’re looking for a single addition to your property that can provide multiple benefits, then it has to be a conservatory. Among others, conservatories offer enhanced curb appeal that can make any home stand out visually while letting in natural light that is ideal for a person’s health. These add-ons can also serve as an extension of the house to be used as a dining area, home office, or living room. You can even treat a conservatory as a greenhouse since the earliest (and current) uses of conservatories are places to grow plants, fruits, and vegetables.
Fortunately, there are plenty of reliable and licensed conservatory builders and contractors whom you can approach to build your desired conservatory. You can choose a simple one with traditional features or go all out and have a conservatory with automated temperature adjustment and remote blinds control. Just communicate your preferences with your contractor and you’ll have the features that you need.
Hydroponics garden, plant box, or plot garden.
Depending on your budget and available space in your property, you may choose between a hydroponics garden, a plant box, and a typical plot garden.
Hydroponics gardening is for homeowners living in residences without an available plot of land to do traditional gardening since it’s a technique that only uses water and some nutrients. Plant boxes, meanwhile, is also an excellent option for those private residences with limited space, but prefer to grow plants on the soil. Finally, plot gardening is the traditional technique of food-growing on cultivated plots, which is perfect for properties with backyards suitable for the purpose.
Water and fire amenities.
If you want to make your home truly livable and relaxing no matter what the season may be, you should invest in water and fire amenities for both indoor and outdoor spaces. For example, you can have an artificial waterfall and a fire pit outside your home, in your yard, to make it inviting and cozy. You can also have a traditional fireplace plus a mini pond inside your home to have relaxing moments while fully protected against the elements.
There are DIY kits that you can buy for a few dollars, but you can splurge a bit and have a professional contractor build some custom fire and water features for you.
Spa amenities.
If you’re a big fan of spa clinics, why not create that spa-like atmosphere inside your home? These days, there are plenty of home spa products that you can order online to enjoy a relaxing spa session whenever you needed.
Most spa packages already include scented candles, massage oils, and scents that can induce rest and relaxation. These products sell for under $100 or more, depending on the inclusions. With the therapeutic benefits you’re getting from such a purchase, it’s definitely worth investing in.
Relaxing colors.
Colors play a huge part in making weary minds at ease, so it makes sense to invest in home improvements that help achieve a relaxing home aura. These would include paint colors for walls and ceilings that are pleasing to the eyes, such as muted tones that are easy to look at. You may also buy some artwork pieces that depict stunning landscapes and similar scenes that exude calm and serenity.
If you’re at a loss on what to do to make your home more relaxing through colors, you can always do some online research or tap a licensed interior designer to help achieve this effect on your behalf.
The pandemic living need not be stressful for you and your family. Just take inspiration from these suggested home improvements and you’ll enjoy both food self-sufficiency and a home atmosphere that eases the burden of the current crisis.