Home DIY’s for When You’re Stuck in Quarantine

Updated on July 23, 2020 by Joseph D. Nielson

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans have been directed to work remotely, and schools will be cancelled indefinitely.

These closures are a way to enforce social distancing. This critical public health intervention can help stop coronavirus transmission by avoiding crowds and large gatherings.

With Covid-19, “many people in the US will at some point, either this year or next, get exposed to this virus,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization czar announced this month. Social distancing, health authorities argue, can drastically slow the rate at which the infection is spreading, easing the burden on our health care system. [1]

Leah Lagos, a New York City-based psychologist and author of Heart, Breath, Mind, agrees. “Now is the time to do something for your fellow community members,” she says. Staying home as much as possible, even if you believe you aren’t infected, is the type of selfless decision that, when performed en masse, has the potential to slow the infection rate, Lagos says. [1]

Although remaining inside is the best way to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, and is an important measure to help “flatten the curve” of daily cases, it could lead to a lesser evil: boredom and stir craziness. [2]

Home DIY ideas when you’re stuck in quarantine

If you’re seeking a useful way to spend your time during social distancing, lounging around at home does have its upsides. Maybe you’re struggling with organization or just a somewhat lacklustre home design that needs upgrading.

The upside of being cooped up in your home is that you’ve probably got time to kill – these minor home updates will improve the environment, and thus your mood, plus, they’ll keep you busy:

Rearrange your furniture

Make your home feel like a different, more elevated space.

Propagate a plant

Plant propagation is a way of forming a new plant from an existing plant.

Hang some art

That blank wall staring back at you needs attention. What better way to add visual appeal to the place you’re holed up in than to hang some art on the walls?

Change your HVAC filter

Lung damage from dirty air may worsen infections, so breathing quality indoor air is critical for good health. Now would be a good time to check/change your HVAC filter. If your filter isn’t actually filtering, it can cause breathing issues, especially for people with allergies or asthma.

Consequently, HEPA Air Purifiers are rapidly earning popularity across every home. Here, you will discover why air purifiers are becoming an essential household appliance in today’s homes.

Deep clean your pantry

A clean, tidy pantry will make it easier to prepare meals (because you’ll be able to see what you actually have!). And right now—while you’ve probably got a countertop full of quarantine-inspired pantry additions and a big, empty weekend on the horizon due to social distancing—is the perfect time to tackle this project.

Set up an impromptu home office

Establishing the place where you conduct your work is incredibly valuable in making work and home coexist.

Deep clean your fridge

This goes for the outside and inside. Start by pulling out all of your fridge’s interior shelving and wash with warm soapy water. Afterwards, organize your food. When you’re hungry, you want to be able to reach inside the fridge and easily find the item you’re looking for.

Get patio furniture ready

Outdoor season is around the corner, so get your patio furniture ready by wiping down your chairs and tables with a mixture of warm water and soap. Then hose off the solution and let air dry.

Organize your closet

Organizing your closet is the first step you can take to organizing your life. Get rid of unused clothes and accessories. Your closet will instantly feel better, and your everyday routine will be easier.

Arrange your book collection

Sort your books by size, genre, and theme. Get rid of any ripped dust jackets and line books vertically, horizontally, in a rhythmic pattern. This mixture will relieve the monotony of rows.

Deodorize your mattress

This is the perfect time to pay attention to what’s under your bedding. Try using your vacuum’s crevice tool to clean the surface and sides of the mattress, then spot-clean stains with a homemade spray and odor remover. Here are 15 more things you can clean with a vacuum cleaner.

Clean & care for carpets

Cleaning your carpet helps removes helps your family breathe easier and reduces the risk of colds and other health problems. Here are some different methods to deep clean your carpet.

Don’t forget about your hardwood floors

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to mop your hard floors daily, in fact, washing this type of flooring regularly could ruin them. Vacuuming is a better option. Some models offer rubber wheels that are less likely to leave scratches than models with hard plastic wheels. Find the best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors here.

Make an upholstered headboard

A headboard is a perfect accent in a bedroom. The only problem? Upholstered headboards can get pricey. Lucky for you, there’s a DIY way to make it.

Hang floating shelves

If you love a minimal look floating shelves are the solution for you. These wall-mounted shelves have no brackets, giving them the appearance of floating on your walls—and making for minimal clutter.

Watch this guide to installing one here:

Don’t forget the kids

Contrary to what adults may think, kids can’t spend week after week staring at their phones behind closed doors. Turn cleaning into a fun craft for them. Have your kids help clean and refresh their bookshelves and dust of the furniture. Give your child fun tools to use by checking out our review of the best dusters here.

Upcycle the Clorox canisters

This is a neat opportunity to create something that’s both fun and functional. You can leave these canisters out on the counter or even upcycle them after as a container for everything from kids’ toys to paintbrushes or florals.

Make homemade cleaners

Some of the items in your pantry are effective cleaners and, even better, inexpensive. Before doing any mixing, read the product labels first.

Build a stylish midcentury modern pet bed

An unsightly dog bed can really throw off your living room’s esthetic. Not to mention pet hair on our sofas can be a pain. As it turns out, building a dog bed that’s comfortable and stylish as a store-bought one is a lot easier than you think.

Here’s a win-win-win situation for your pet and living room feng-shui:

Take Away

For most of us, self-isolation can be a little scary. But it doesn’t have to be. These daily tips are perfect for those seeking a useful way to spend their time during social distancing—or anyone simply interested in forging a deeper connection with their home.

If you think you’re showing symptoms of coronavirus, which include fever, shortness of breath, and cough, call your doctor. You can also visit the CDC for up-to-date information and resources.