Interior and Health

Sure, your home interiors can reflect your style and your sense of taste. They can say a great deal about you. However, your interiors also have a profound effect on your health. Good air quality indoors can mean a healthy respiratory system, fewer allergies, and fewer headaches. Poor air quality, the other hand, can put you at risk for some cancers, and can wreak havoc with your respiratory system. Bad indoor air quality can make you quite ill.

How can you create a healthy home interior? You can start with these tips:

1) Look for household products with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For example, buy paints, stains, lacquers, and sealants that don’t emit VOCs. Use water-based adhesives for home renovation projects, or buy floors, cabinets, and furniture that comes pre-glued and pre-assembled so that you don’t have to use adhesives with a lot of chemicals in them. If your furniture is packaged in boxes, let it air outside before bringing it into your home – this allows you to bring fewer VOCs in.

2) Avoid rugs. Carpeting gives off thousands of chemicals, and under padding allows mold and chemicals to become trapped. Opt for hard surface floorings or choose area rugs that you can clean frequently.

3) Choose natural over synthetic materials when selecting cabinets, furniture, and other products for your home. Many particleboards and plywoods contain formaldehyde as well as other dangerous chemicals. If you must use synthetic materials, make sure that all edges are sealed or laminated in order to prevent these chemicals from escaping. However, hardwood or soft wood is generally a better choice.

4) Watch out for chemicals that you bring into your home. If you usually clean your jewelry at jewelry stores or get your clothes cleaned at the dry cleaners, ask about the chemicals used to clean your things. Look for retailers who use natural cleaning products, or air your things carefully before bringing them into your home.

5) Buy quality and natural air fresheners, Votivo candles, and other scented products. Low-quality scented products often contain additional chemicals, and some of these products made overseas contain chemicals which are not legal here. For example, some low-cost candles made in China may contain lead.

6) Reduce the number of harmful chemicals that you use in your home. Choose all-natural and organic cleaning products, or make your own cleaning products from household items such as vinegar and baking soda – many websites show you how. Not only are these often as effective, that they have fewer harmful toxins. Similarly, avoid using pesticides ant insecticides in or near your home. You only track the chemicals into your home, and you can be sure that if something kills plants and animals, it’s not ideal for your health, either.

7) Clean frequently. No matter how clean and organic your home is, you are still tracking in certain chemicals from outside. Plus, even natural things — such as molds and dust — can wreak havoc with your health and allergies. Clean often, using a high quality vacuum cleaner, and dust frequently. This will help ensure your overall health and will of course make your home look much nicer as well.

Trying to decorate your house creates a lot of pressure. You may see perfect homes in designer magazines or on television shows. Maybe you are trying to make over your house when all you can afford are a few fancy Votivo candles. Maybe you want to hire a professional to make over your home, but you realize quickly that interior designers cost as much as Orlando vacation packages. Don’t worry. There are many things that you can do on a budget that will transform your home rather miraculously:

1) Invest in paint. You can often buy very nice paint colors at a deep discount at your local hardware store by looking for “oops paint.” This paint is premixed by customers who later change their mind about their colors. It’s a great way to touch up one wall or one room on a budget. Even if you decide to splurge on full price paint, you will find that paint costs far less then new furniture and most other new décor items. At the same time, paint can have a very dramatic impact on your home’s appearance. Look in design magazines and books specifically related to painting your home. You’ll find that stenciling, different paint techniques, and color schemes can completely transform your home. Switch a dark dingy room to a lighter color, for example, and create the illusion of a much larger space. Painting your floors and even your furniture can make it appear that you have completely transformed your house.

2) Invest in fabric. Besides paints, fabric is another very inexpensive way to change a room’s décor. With large swatches of fabric — which you can often buy at discount or on sale at fabric stores — you can create faux canopy beds, new carpeting, and even elegant new wallpaper for your rooms. All you need is a staple gun, a hot glue gun, some sewing techniques, and some fabric. Even if you don’t know how to sew, staples and glue will get you far. You can even drape your current furniture with new fabrics for a whole new look.

3) Know where to shop. Even if your house is calling out for more drastic renovations — such as new cupboards — you can often find these for far less than retail if you know where to look. For example, try checking your local classifieds. Contractors will sometimes sell almost new cabinets and almost new appliances for a fraction of their original cost. Similarly, you can go online to look for a reduced cost item. Failing that, shop factory outlets and discount stores. A great tip: find out where contractors and real estate investors in your area shop. This is often where the deals are.

4) Get professional help for less. Sure, the services of a professional interior designer can cost a great deal, and an interior designer will generally try to convince you to get new furniture and new items for your home. However, many interior designers today offer low-cost services. For example, many interior designers offer consulting services. This allows you to get a professional to come into your home and work with what you already have in your home in order to create a better environment. For about $100, in many cases, you can get professional advice that uses your current furniture and possessions in a whole new way. It’s a low cost way to get a whole new perspective — and professional perspective at that — on your home.

Are your interiors wearing you down? If you are not pleased with your décor, you may rather invest in Orlando vacation packages than spend any time at home. You may feel stressed by just looking around you. There may be lots of signs that your décor is getting stale:

1) You do not look forward to entertaining, or you fuss before having company over because of the way your home looks.

2) You would rather be doing anything – working, visiting others, shopping at jewelry stores – rather than stay at home. You should look forward to letting your hair down in your own space. If you don’t, there may be something wrong.

3) You look longingly at furniture store catalogues or interior design magazines, but don’t start any projects because you assume that there is no hope for your own home. If you feel overwhelmed, you may feel tired of your décor but you may have no idea of where to start.

4) You start decorating projects – or you want to start them – but you don’t. If you are in such a rut that you don’t know where to start, your décor may be so stale that it no longer reflects your sense of style.

Even if all of the above are true for you, there are many ways that you can take a break from your décor – while still making positive changes to your interiors:

1) Don’t try to force a home makeover. If you’re tired of your interior design scheme, it will be hard for you to have an objective view about your surroundings. Don’t push yourself to start a project to make-over your home right away. A little time away from your home and away from thinking about décor will give you a much-needed fresh perspective on your house. Avoid reading décor magazines and books, avoid decorating shows, and avoid stressing about your living conditions. Simply promise yourself that at some point you will makeover your décor so that it reflects your sense of style, and then forget about it for a few weeks. Give yourself a much-needed break from worrying.

2) After taking your break from home decorating, start slowly. Rather than rushing in to getting contractors or setting up projects, give yourself some time to imagine what your home would be like if it were ideally decorated. If you were just moving in, what design decisions would you make? If money were no object, what design choices would you make? Set up a scrap book, and fill it with fabrics you like, pictures of rooms you like, and clippings from the decorating and design magazines. Get a sense of your true style before trying to put it all together.

3) Once your scrapbook is full, start creating a workable plan. If your house needs a complete overhaul, you won’t be able to get all your decorating done in a weekend or a few hours. Therefore, set a schedule as well as a budget for your decoration scheme. You may want to tackle your house one room at a time, or perhaps you want to get new furniture first, or paint first. Give yourself lots of time and make your house a work in progress rather than stressing yourself out about trying to make everything perfect all at once.

Creating a wonderful bedroom does a lot more than just create a pleasant space. It creates a stress-free haven that lets you sleep more peacefully. A nice bedroom does not have to cost an arm and a leg, though. You can easily redecorate your bedroom fast and without huge cost by:

1) Lighting some candles. Low lighting, scent, and pretty candleholders create a warm, intimate mood. Plus, scented candles can take care of that musty smell that some bedrooms can get. Select some nice candlesticks and shop around for high-quality candles in scents that you love. Consider pretty candle shades to create an even more subdued light and to create added visual interest. Feel free to decorate your candle shades yourself. Simple clip on earrings can brighten up an old shade wonderfully.

2) Opening the windows. We often leave the bedroom drapes drawn, but simply opening the curtains – not to mention the window – can let in bright light and a breath of fresh air. Good ventilation in your room can also help dispel dust and mold. Sunlight can also help combat any mold in your bedroom. Often, a bedroom will look extra dingy simply because of too little light and air.

3) Putting some mementos on display. You do not have to spend a lot of money on art and trinkets. Grab some of the things that you already have – pretty costume jewelry, cards from friends, and collectibles – and display them in your room. You can purchase inexpensive frames at your local craft store. For larger items, consider shadow boxes – they look like frames but offer more space for 3-D items. If you have spent money on nice accessories at jewelry stores, why hide it away in a dusty box? Display your treasures where you can admire them.

4) Using storage items wisely. Often, bedrooms get to look cluttered because it is so tempting to relax after a long day by refusing to pick up clothes and other items. Plus, clutter in your bedroom can hide dust and mold, which can be dangerous for your health. When organizing your bedroom, think vertically. Put in shelves and tall drawers that hold lots of items. Get some bed risers to elevate your bed and create more storage space underneath. Since your bedroom is a casual place, you might want to add some pretty open boxes for quick cleanups. An open hamper near your closet can easily allow you to gather up dirty laundry. Avoid the ugly plastic bins and choose a pretty (and washable) cloth container instead.

5) Adding scent. Bedrooms can easily get stale. Adding scented sachets keeps the air and your clothing fresh. Tuck some anti-static sheets in your laundry hamper to freshen up the hamper. Rather than spraying around room sprays – which contain lots of chemicals and don’t last long – try scented candles or open jars of natural potpourri.

6) Adding mirrors. Large mirrors over a mantelpiece or on a wall capture the light effectively and create the illusion of a larger, brighter room.

Molds are microscopic fungi that grow very rapidly in moist conditions. Molds are sometimes good news – penicillin comes from a type of mold, and some drinks and foods are made from molds. However, when molds grow in an uncontrolled way in your home without your knowledge, they can be bad news. Molds create an unpleasant odor, unsightly mildew, and even potentially dangerous health conditions.

More than 270 species of mold might be growing in your home right now. All molds need to thrive is nutrients and moisture. Mold can develop your home if your home is not well ventilated or if you have leaks in your home, structural damage, or produce lots of moisture from daily activities such as cooking, washing up, and doing laundry. If your home is poorly ventilated, moisture cannot escape your home and becomes trapped, creating perfect conditions for mold to grow.

Mold can damage your possessions but can also release chemicals and spores that can be hazardous to your health. Mold can aggravate allergies and can also exacerbate respiratory ailments. Children, the elderly and the ill are especially vulnerable to its effects.

If you notice discoloration or a mildew odor in your home, you may have mold. You can also have an environmental assessment of your home conducted to find out whether you have mold. If you have small patches of mold, clean the spots with a detergent solution, but be sure to wear a dust mask for protection. You might wish to light some candles after cleaning to get rid of mildew odors and the odors of the cleaning chemicals. If you have larger amounts of mold, you will need professional help.

If your home has lots of mold, if your home is very damp, if you cannot deal with the mold yourself, or if you or your family are having health problems as a result of the mold, you may need to evacuate your home until your home can be made healthy again. This might be a chance for you to look into Orlando vacation packages or a temporary vacation home. Do not return to your home until a professional tells you that your home is safe.

You can prevent your home from becoming moldy by keeping your home dry. Run a dehumidifier in areas that are very damp. Remove excessive clutter from your home, since clutter creates hidden places where mold can grow. If you have lots of shelving, for example, mold can grow behind the shelves without you knowing about. Get some storage space and remove many of your possessions from your home until you can get the mold under control. Throw away or thoroughly clean any items in your home that are affected by mold. If you do not, mold can easily reappear. Also, be sure to clean regularly and vacuum all surfaces with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter vacuum. This can help remove spores and traces of mold. Fix any water leaks at once to help prevent moisture in your home. If you have any doubts about the mold in your home, call a professional at once.

A recent episode of the Oprah Winfrey show focused on the health impact of too much clutter. Hopefully, the show will emphasize what health professionals have known for years — an unhealthy home can mean an unhealthy body and mind. Although most of us know that clutter is unsightly, few of us realize the health impact it can have on us. When relaxing, cleaning, or decorating up our homes, we do not always take into consideration the heaps of clutter — the unused decorations, the old collectibles, burnt out candles, the extra stuff — that each of us have in our homes.

The truth is, though, clutter can mean an unhealthy breathing environment as well as poor health overall. Clutter can mean:

1) Poor sleep. If you cannot find your things because they are buried under piles of junk, you may not be able to get through everything on your to-do list every day, and this can mean you start heading to bed later and later. If you cannot make your dinner until you clean off the table encounters, or if you cannot complete your take-home work until you’ve cleared off a space for yourself in your office, you are wasting time, and that can cut into your sleeping time. Poor sleep, in turn, can lead to fatigue, headaches, irritability, and increased blood pressure.

2) Breathing problems. If you have lots of clutter, you can be sure that you also have lots of dust — and possibly other pests as well. The truth is, clutter easily accumulates dust and other allergens. Plus, clutter provides an excellent space for bacteria to grow and an excellent nesting space for pests such as mice, spiders, and other unwanted guests. All of these problems can impact your sinuses and can lead to allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. If you notice that your air quality does not seem to be quite what is should be, try lighting some candles to eliminate any odor of associated with dust. Then, get cleaning and start getting rid of unwanted items quickly.

3) Stress. Just looking at piles of unwanted items is stressful. It is even more stressful if those items are keeping you from doing what you need to do. For example, if you no longer work out because your treadmill is covered with piles of clothes, or if you no longer use your kitchen for making healthy meals because the kitchen is too cluttered, you may be experiencing stress – and your clutter may be coming between you and a healthy lifestyle. This in turn can mean high blood pressure, can cause you headaches, and can result in many other ailments. If you are stressed out, start by de-cluttering your home as much as possible. This does not have to be unpleasant. Light a candle, put on some soothing music, and try filling up just one garbage bag a day to take to either a local charity or the local junkyard. Set aside 15 minutes a day to relax with some candlelight and some soothing music or tea while you appreciate your new surroundings. This will go a long way towards reducing the level of stress you may be living with right now in your cluttered home.

In the midst of rapidly growing variety of alternative medicine treatments that you’ve heard about recently, you may have noticed that aromatherapy is mentioned a few times. Many people dismiss the idea of using scents to bring medical results as groundless, and that’s understandable in many ways. There is a lot of information on aromatherapy that comes from people who speak about it based on their spiritual beliefs and a lack of information coming from detailed medical studies. As a complementary health treatment in Western culture, it’s still a little new, so there’s still plenty to learn about it. Let us explore some of the ways through which aromatherapy can help and support our wellbeing, so that you know how to better incorporate it into your life.

Aromatherapy as a Medical Practice

The basis of aromatherapy is in use of essential oils, which are extracted from plants though distilling processes, resulting in concentrated liquids that are often very fragrant. In France, the aromatherapy is used as a complement to the traditional medical practices, but it’s for the antiseptic properties of the essential oils more than anything. In France, essential oils are sometimes prescribed by a physician to target harmful organisms that might lead to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.

If you’re wondering about the fact when the “aroma” part of aromatherapy comes in, there are traditional health practices in the United States in which the scents of various compounds result in alleviation of symptoms of illness. The product majority of people are familiar with is the use of things such as Vicks or Halls cough drops to help drain clogged sinuses and throats. Aromatic chemicals compounds such as menthol and eucalyptus bring an alleviation of those symptoms, which are often associated with colds.

Aromatherapy as a Stress Therapy

When one starts to venture out of such applications and begins to talk about alleviating stress with aromatherapy, then one starts to get ideas that come less from observed scientific evidence than from common theories. Aromatherapy is often suggested as a way to alleviate symptoms of stress in people and for numerous other effects. For instance, basil oil is often recommended to ease the effects of depression and to help you to concentrate, whereas lavender is used for relaxation.

While many of these effects aren’t determined through scientific study, it’s easy enough to notice that pleasant scents make people feel cheerier. Taking that into consideration, it wouldn’t hurt to practice a little aromatherapy at home -it really will help and at worst, you still end up surrounded by nice scents. So, whether you’re using it for medical purposes or just to relax, aromatherapy offers something for you. The best way to start experimenting is through aromatherapy candles such as Aromatherapy Interventions, or some other, top quality candle brands.

Latest Scientific Research Findings on Aromatherapy Effects:

Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns related to alertness and math computations. A study by the University of Miami School of Medicine, USA indicated the following.

EEG activity, mood and alertness, were monitored in 40 adults given 3 minutes of aromatherapy using two aromas, lavender (considered a relaxing odor) or rosemary (considered a stimulating odor). Participants were also given simple math computations prior and after the therapy. The lavender group demonstrated increased beta power, suggesting increased drowsiness, they had less depressed mood (POMS) and reported feeling more relaxed and performed the math computations faster and more accurately following aromatherapy. The rosemary group manifested decreased frontal alpha and beta power, suggesting increased alertness. They also had decrease in anxiety scores, reported feeling more relaxed and alert and they were only faster, not more accurate, at completing the math computations after the aromatherapy session.

Your living room is the space where you spend much of your leisure time, and it is likely where you entertain. Your living room is likely the room that guests associate with you. It is also where you may read, complete craft projects, watch television, and spend time with your family. In many homes, the living room is the heart of a home. Being able to create a peaceful, relaxing, and attractive environment for the living room is very important for fostering your relationships at home and for de-stressing after a hectic day at work. If it has been a while since you have even thought about your living room, it is high time to take a fresh look at this vital part of your home.

There many things that you can do to ensure that your living room decor not only suits your style and your budget, but also provides you with maximum benefits. The first thing you should do is sit quietly in your living room when there’s no one else around. Take a pen and paper and jot down your impressions of your living room. Is it too warm? Too cold? Are there adequate windows and light? Does it feel cozy, or is it busy and crowded? Are you using your living room each day, or are you inadvertently avoiding this room because it is unpleasant? Is the room tidy or neat? Is the furniture old-fashioned? Your first impressions are probably not only the impressions that your guests have, but these impressions may inadvertently be impacting your day. For example, if your living room is too dark, you may inadvertently feel sleepy or depressed each time you sit in your living room. For both better entertaining and better home living, make it a plan to redo your living room to suit your current lifestyle.

Consider how you would start over if you had a blank slate. Would you prefer different color on the walls? Would you prefer a different couch? Look through and decorating books and decorating magazines, and find ideas that appeal to you. Post them into a scrap book and visit online retailers and stores to get ideas for paint colors, fabrics, and furnishings. Since tackling living room projects can take some time, set yourself a budget and a timeline and make your changes gradually. While you save for a new sofa, for example, you may be able to repaint the room or rearrange the furniture. You may be able to add inexpensive slip covers for the furniture or just remove the extra clutter from the room. Even small changes can start you on the way towards a nicer living space and can make you feel instantly better about your room as it is now.

One way that you can immediately infuse life and pleasure into your living room is with candles. Adding scented candles, large candles, or just large groupings of candles instantly adds a soft light, coziness, and glamour to your living room. Not only are candles very inexpensive, but they can also add a warm glow to any living space. While you are working through the projects listed in your scrap book, consider investing in some inexpensive candles which can transform your entire room. Who knows — you may find that you don’t need to do as much as you thought to make your home comforting again.

Article source: http://www.interiorandhealth.com/blog/decorative-candles-for-your-living-room/

Natural light is so important that we would fail to thrive without it. In fact, artists and those in the know spend thousands of dollars ensuring that they have natural light — and plenty of it — in their homes and workspaces. If you are tired, sluggish, depressed, and altogether unsatisfied with your home or your workspace, one of the first things to suspect is a lack of adequate lighting. Take a good look around your workspace or your living environment. Are there big windows in the rooms where you spend a large amount of time? Are there adequate numbers of windows which give natural light as well as fresh air? In the room where you sleep, is there a large window that provides natural light as well as fresh air in the morning? This is especially important, since you will have a hard time waking up in a room that is dark in the morning, and you will have a hard time getting good sleep in a room with small windows that provide poor ventilation.

Start becoming aware of the light in the rooms where you work and relax. If you are in a dingy, dark room, it will be very hard for you to be productive at work. It will also be difficult for you to feel alert and well. Similarly, it will be hard for you to relax and rest in a room with small windows.

Large windows that let in natural light make working or just relaxing far more enjoyable. Large windows let you look out at the beauty of nature and allow you to watch the world go by. Far from being distracting, they can allow you to have the lighting you need in order to do your work without ruining your eyes. Natural lighting can be one of the best light sources to work by. Large windows that let in lots of light will also allow you to achieve a better communication between exterior world and interior world. You feel more connected with your overall environment less isolated if you have adequate windows. Of course, natural light will also ensure that you get adequate of vitamin D, which is very important to your overall health. When you spend a lot of time in dark rooms, you look pasty and you don’t feel at your best. If you are busy and do not always get to spend plenty of time outdoors, you especially need to ensure that your windows let in as much natural sunlight as possible.

If your windows are small, dark, or don’t let in enough light, consider getting renovations. Although it may seem extreme, the cost, time, and effort of renovations when it comes to windows is well worth it. Not only can good windows save your eyesight, but they can also ensure that you are as receptive, happy, and healthy as possible. Look online for inexpensive windows solutions, and be sure to read all about all the window options available today. From vinyl windows to old-fashioned wooden frames, you’re sure to find a natural lighting solution that suits your style and your budget. While shopping, be sure to pick out some pretty blinds and curtains that will help you enjoy your new windows and your new outlook on life.

Article source: http://www.interiorandhealth.com/blog/the-importance-of-natural-light/