There is no doubt that all of us have been affected by the global pandemic. Even those lucky enough not to have become unwell have spent almost a year adjusting to lockdown and the changes to the way we now live. For some, this has been a chance to reflect on our everyday lives, and how we might want to live differently. You may therefore be preparing to embrace a number of changes in 2021, but which ones are your priorities after COVID-19?

Working From Home

In 2020, working from home became the norm for anyone who was able to work remotely. A return to the office may not seem very likely, and so if you’ve not had the opportunity yet, you may want to consider creating an office space at home. Not everyone has the luxury of a spare bedroom, but you’d be surprised at what you can achieve elsewhere in your house. Even an unused alcove or the corner of the living room can make a great space for your desk and any IT equipment. Having a dedicated ‘work area’ away from your sofa or bed can make a big difference to your mental health.

Changing Priorities after COVID-19

COVID-19 has certainly been a lesson in reassessing priorities. Perhaps you used to travel the world at every available opportunity, but now you want to stay close to home to see more of friends or family. Of course, the reverse could be true, and you now wish you had seen more of the world. Although international travel is still restricted, you could start by visiting parts of the UK that you have never been to before.

Some people will be choosing to return to college to study for their dream career, and others will be scaling back work and spending more time with their children. Our priorities are as individual as we are.

More Time at Home

Most of us are now spending more time at home than ever before. With entertainment, dining, and leisure facilities now closed or with restricted opening times, we are finding new ways to enjoy life and make memories without going out.

Do It Yourself

With so much time at home, you may finally be getting around to doing all of those DIY jobs that have been ignored for years. Decorating, renovating or an exciting building project could see your house feeling bigger and brighter. Renting a storage unit at Stop and Store in Fareham could allow you to empty a room, making it quicker and easier to get your jobs done. Even better, your furniture and ornaments will be safe from accidents whilst in storage.

Entertaining at Home

Staying in is the new going out. And with so much time at home, you want to make sure your house works for you. A new kitchen, the addition of a conservatory or fresh carpets or flooring can transform a home for stylish entertaining. A larger dining table might also be required if you plan to host more dinner parties. You might decide to replace older soft furnishings or your living room furniture to quickly transform rooms from shabby to chic.

Repurposing Rooms

You might not be able to go to the cinema or the gym, so now is the ideal time to convert the dining room or spare bedroom into the room of your dreams. Savvy shoppers can find a great bargain when shopping online for second hand exercise equipment, and you may have been able to pick up a cheap TV or projector in the January sales. If you’re unsure how long you’ll want a home cinema or gym for, it’s a good idea to rent a storage room to keep the dining table or spare bed safe in case you want them back in the future.

It may be that rather than converting a bedroom into a leisure room, you now find you actually need more bedrooms. There are many reasons that this may be the case, such as adult children needing to return to the family home, or a relative moving in to help with childcare. Whatever the reason, you could be looking at converting the playroom or dining room into a comfortable bedroom for your new addition.

The Garden

If lockdown has taught us anything, it’s how much we value outdoor space. If you are fortunate enough to have a garden or courtyard, now is the time to get it ready for the spring months ahead. A small seating area, a bistro table and a few rolls of turf can make all the difference, transforming your outdoor space into an oasis of calm. Of course, you’ll be needing a lawnmower and a few pieces of gardening equipment for that new green space, so be sure to leave space for some compact garden storage, or even a shed.

Hot Tubs and Pools

If foreign holidays appear to be off the menu for a while, you may be tempted to splash out on a hot tub or even a small pool for your garden. Hot tubs have become more popular in cities across the UK, affording you a taste of holiday luxury from the privacy of your own garden. If you don’t intend to keep your hot tub running all year round, place it into household storage where it will be kept clean, dry and ready for use next season.

Outdoor Adventures

Despite numerous lockdowns, it has still been possible to exercise every day. If you have become tired of the same 5km run or walk, you may have found yourself getting into more extreme sports. Canoeing, hiking and cycling are perfect options for getting you closer to nature (and out of the house for a much-needed change of scene). However, if you are tight on space, storing the paraphernalia associated with your hobby can be solved by renting budget storage at Stop and Store. Your items will be ready whenever you next decide to get out into the great outdoors.

To find out how Stop and Store could help you following any changes you’ve made during the pandemic, contact us today. We’re ideally located in Fareham for residents in Wickham, Whitely, and the surrounding towns.