We like to think of ourselves as skilled and tasteful homeowners. If when going to another person’s home you see clutter and chaos, you take pity on them most of the time. Who knows what kind of lifestyle they lead, but the fact is, one’s home shouldn’t be home in disarray. So eventually, we learn not to repeat these mistakes in our own abodes, and thus we actually start to make caring for our living quarters routine. Some people just don’t know where to start so if you have a family member or friend in need, you might feel a sense of satisfaction helping them out. Be wary, however, as you don’t want to seem bossy and to show a snobbish attitude. Try to coerce them into thinking differently and making mistakes apparent rather than pointing and staring at them. Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile if you see they need more than just regular home improvement advice.

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Rubble and rummage  

Children, you can’t live with them or without them. Be mindful if when you are invited over to your family, friend or neighbor’s house, you see children’s clutter all around. Give them helpful suggestions on where to hide all these toys, clothes, technology and even rubbish. The rubble of what’s left when children are done running around and playing doesn’t have to push to one side. Rummaging through drawers to find what they need in a hurry can also be avoided. Advise them to buy some big wicker baskets. Label them from the outside such as ‘toys’, ‘dirty clothes’ and ‘old & worn’. Instead of putting everything back where it belongs in its precise place every day, just create large return zones instead.

Poor lighting

Dark and gloomy is never a good look, in fact, it can be downright off-putting. A dark home can really elevate depression levels and make you feel more stressed. Going over to a friend’s house for coffee and noticing this means a call to action. Inform you, friend, that improving lighting in the home is by far one of the easiest upgrades you can do. Interior decor can wait. First, you need to see whether they have powerful bulbs or even if they’re the right color. Lamp shades are a thing of the past at least for the central light. See if you can advise them to buy smaller lamps for dark corners where the main light does not reach.

Photo by Joe Mabel

Hope on the horizon

Many people are too proud to ask for help. Seeing your family member or friend living in subpar conditions can be quite heart wrenching. But the reason why they might be in such a state is that of their financial situation. They could well possibly be living paycheck to paycheck, and the last thing they need is someone telling them how they could improve their living standard. However, you find they give you cheerful response if you inform them about the work that charity home builders such as https://www.habitathm.ca/restore do. They help low-income families improve their living standard by using donated funds to make brand new affordable homes.

Learning from your own mistakes to then go on and help others is one of the great things about life. Being there for others and offering genuinely well-meaning advice to improve their home will strengthen bonds you are your loved ones have.