Although sheltering in place can allow you to spend more time with your loved ones, it can also cause you to fixate on the aspects of your home that you don’t especially like. After all, 85% of the nation’s homes were built prior to 1980 are now in need of improvement. If you find you have a lot more time on your hands, you might be inclined to take on some simple DIY projects during your quarantine. Here are six ideas that can add some more functionality and enjoyment to your home environment.

6 Simple Home Improvement Projects to Tackle During Quarantine

Add a Pop of Color

If your surroundings are drab, chances are that you’ll probably feel that way, too. Painting your front door, a spare bedroom, or an accent wall can be a great way to pass the time and make your home look that much more enticing. Aside from acting as a fun pick-me-up, it can also add some value to your property. Since face masks are hard to come by, make sure to prioritize proper ventilation and choose a relatively warm day so you can keep the windows open and limit exposure to any paint fumes.

Clear Out the Clutter

Since it’s officially spring, it’s the perfect time to do some seasonal cleaning. Clear out the clutter from your home office, craft room, basement, attic, or shared entertainment space to ensure your family has as much room as possible. Spending more time in a cluttered house can be harmful to your mental health, so you’ll be able to be much more productive if you aren’t surrounded by items that should be thrown or stored away. While it’s not a good time to hold a garage sale, keep in mind that there are an estimated 2.3 billion square feet of storage space ready to be rented in the United States. You can easily rent a storage unit for the time being if you’re not able to sell, donate, or even sort through everything you have.

Reorganize Your Garage or Workspace

If you’re like many homeowners, you probably use your garage or home office space as a dumping ground for miscellaneous items. Clearing out the clutter is one aspect of gaining control over your storage, but you’ll also need to come up with a good organization system to ensure you can find what you need. A new season is an excellent time for that, as you’ll soon be switching out winter decor for spring and summer items. Buy or make some shelving for your garage, invest in a filing cabinet for your home office, or get some organization bins for your craft room. Clear storage tubs with labels and mounted tool organizers can also allow you to see what you have without forcing you to dig through boxes for what you need.

Swap Out Hardware and Fixtures

Kitchens are the most popular rooms to renovate, but you probably won’t want to deal with a major kitchen renovation right now. Cooking and food storage is more important than ever, so you’ll want to avoid a big disruption. However, you can make small changes in your kitchen to make things look a bit more pulled together. Aside from clearing out and reorganizing what’s in your cabinets and pantries, you can also give those storage spaces a new look by swapping out the hardware. You can easily buy new knobs and drawer pulls online or at your local hardware store, which can instantly make your kitchen look much higher-end. You could also install new knobs on the front door or in bedrooms throughout the house, provided you know how. If you’re comfortable working with basic plumbing, you could also install a new faucet and knobs. However, be aware that with the increased importance of hand-washing, you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re doing before you start. Speaking of which, make sure you have the screws and other fasteners you’ll need — or else this home improvement project will need to be put on hold.

Turn a Guest Room Into a Home Gym

Since you can’t work out at your local gym each morning, you’ll need to find other ways to fit in your fitness. While local parks can provide walking trails and the like, you’ll run the risk of coming into contact with others. As a result, many people are inclined to work out at home. The problem is, you may not have a designated space for it. If you have a spare room that you normally use for guests, you could quickly convert it into a home workout space. Simply relocate the bed to one side or stand the mattress up on its side and store the frame elsewhere. Then, bring in a yoga mat, some free weights, and a small exercise machine that can easily be folded up to save space when not in use. Alternatively, you can bring this equipment down to the basement and make use of extra space you have there. With these minimal changes, you’ll be able to have some privacy and work up a sweat without putting yourself at risk.

Get Out in the Garden

Another great way to get some physical activity is to do some yard work. Whether you’re getting ready to fire up the lawnmower, want to clean up last season’s leaves, or are long overdue for some weeding, you’ll get moving and add some curb appeal to your home. You may also want to consider planting a garden, as growing fruits and vegetables can be an excellent way to engage in sustainable practices and maintain a healthy diet. Since temperatures are starting to warm up, you’ll be able to enjoy the sunshine and see your garden come alive as the days pass. As a bonus, you’ll also be able to support local wildlife if you plant native species that pollinators love.

Being cooped up in your house may seem like a drag, but you can view this as an opportunity to finally make some impactful improvements. By making these small changes, you’ll probably feel a lot happier to stay home in the weeks to come.