Feeling a little bored of your home’s design and décor? Want to freshen up the interior and add some new features? As you decide what to include in your remodeling plans, keep your health in mind. Certain renovation projects can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Some of these projects will likely require you to hire a contractor, but for some renovations, you can go the DIY route. Here are a few projects that can help you create a healthy home, along with tips for vetting contractors and selecting the most qualified tradespeople to work on your house.
 
DIY Upgrades
 
Before you start calling local contractors, think about which remodeling projects you could take on by yourself. You’ll need to get a basic toolkit together — for example, you should have a tape measure, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, nails, and screws. If this sounds expensive, then you’ll need to look for ways to save money, such as looking online for special deals or waiting until seasonal or holiday sales. For example, you could possibly use Cyber Monday coupons to help save money on the supplies you’ll need to get started.
 
What can you accomplish with some standard tools and a little elbow grease? You can grab a few buckets of paint and spruce up your walls for about $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot — cool colors like blues and greens can influence your mood and make you feel calmer. Installing ceiling fans will help you stay cool on hot days, and if you know your way around electrical wiring, you can do it without a contractor for about $75.
 
Central Air Conditioning
 
If your area sees high temperatures every summer, you might want to take things a step further than a DIY ceiling fan installation and have professionals set up your home with a central air conditioning system. Shop around for HVAC technicians by running background checks, verifying their permits and licenses, and getting cost estimates to compare.
 
The cost of a central air conditioning system can vary depending on where you live. It can get pricey, but central air conditioning provides a wide range of health benefits when the temperature rises. It can lower your risk of dealing with conditions like heat stroke, and it filters the air in your home, resulting in better air quality.
 
In-Ground Pool
 
Want to get a few more workouts into your usual routine without going to the gym? Consider splurging on an in-ground pool. According to Active, swimming is a great full-body workout that will increase your endurance, strength, and flexibility.
 
Installing an in-ground pool isn’t a quick and cheap upgrade. And you will also have additional costs, including utilities and increased insurance prices. Before selecting a contractor for the project, ask them which subcontractors they like to work with; building an in-ground pool will require a bigger team, so you want to make sure that you approve of everyone involved.
 
Infrared Sauna
 
Have you ever had the opportunity to relax in a sauna and found yourself wishing that you could do it more often? Sauna sessions can help you recover after intense workouts and even improve your cardiovascular health, and according to Cost Owl, you can install an infrared sauna in your home for about $1,500 to $3,000, plus the cost of labor. Make sure to look at the portfolios of any potential contractors; saunas aren’t the most common home fixture, so you’ll need someone with the right experience.
 
If you feel like your home needs a new aesthetic, keep your health in mind as you make your budget and outline your plans. Carefully screening contractors and getting the right tools for DIY projects is the key to making it happen. Outfitting your home with the features you need to improve your well-being can make a huge difference in your day-to-day life.
 

We have our first guest post today which is exciting. Alice has some wonderful recommendations for keeping a clean and decluttered home. Check out her tips below and come back next week for the beginning of a new series... I've started decluttering my own home!

Having a decluttered home may seem trendy, but it can improve the quality of our lives. When we aren't surrounded by things, we can focus on what matters. However, throwing items away is not the answer. Recycling and reusing what we can keeps our planet and our houses healthy.

Keep the Home Clean

Having a decluttered home is only as freeing as how clean it is, so you'll want to maintain that fresh feeling. However, when you clean, you need to use things that are good for you and the environment. From reusable cloths to non-toxic chemicals, there are choices for everything. One way to incentivize yourself to stay on top of cleaning is to get a good vacuum. A high-quality vacuum with the capacity to quickly remove dirt and grime can make cleaning a breeze. Since there are different models to choose from, check out online reviews to ensure you’re getting a great one.

Simplify Your Furniture and Appliances

Larger goods can often be difficult to dispose of in an eco-friendly way, but it's not impossible. In fact, it can be downright easy if belongings like bedding, large electronics, and more are in decent condition. Many donation centers will come and collect big items, even if they aren't perfect. Take advantage of neighborhood yard sales as well, or list an item online as free or for a small price. Make the caveat that the buyer needs to pick it up themselves so you don't need to worry about transport. If, for instance, an old refrigerator no longer works, you still have options to explore. Companies like Best Buy will take electronic goods and appliances at no charge, but call and ask if your local store has a similar policy.

Sell What You Can

Sometimes, it's worth our while to not just list something as free but to make a little extra cash from it. This doesn't just apply to things that are in pristine condition. With a bit of time and effort, you can restore or transform older goods into something completely new. For example, you could put a fresh coat of lacquer or paint onto wooden tables or stools. Or, get a swath of colorful fabric and repair the seat of a computer chair. There is no end to what you can do, as even mismatched dining room chairs can be transformed into a chic bench. If you love what you've made, keep it. If not, list it on a site like Etsy or eBay and make a tidy profit.

Go Online

Paper clutter is pernicious and can invade every room if we're not careful, which is why it's a good idea to go digital, whether that's bills or storing photographs online. Plus, you'll save paper waste from rotting in a landfill. However, make sure you know which cloud service offers what you need. Some are free, while others are paid but provide additional services. You might need a storage service that syncs continually or a cheaper one that only does it manually. If you have large files, you'll want architecture that allows for unlimited capacity. You also shouldn't rely solely on one service, so have backups on flash drives or external hard drives to be safe.

Rethink Your Media

Are you going to re-read that book that's been sitting on the shelf for years? What about the movie you bought on a whim, watched once, and only thought was okay? One solution is to go digital. You can store your movies — even books — on your tablet or laptop. With the availability of different streaming services, owning physical movies is another form of clutter. This is especially true if you're hoarding a load of VHS tapes just in case, as outdated forms of media rarely come back into vogue. It's time to clean up and upgrade your entertainment.

We don't need to live our lives in hectic chaos. By decluttering our homes, we simplify and relieve stress. You don't need a house full of things to be happy. Instead, only keep what truly makes you joyous, and let the rest go.

Image courtesy of Pixabay