Free ways to freshen up your home during quarantine

Being safe at home during this time is a privilege the Elsewhere team does not take lightly. We truly value our ability to work remotely and be with our loved ones during this time. Quite frankly, making lists of “things to do at home during quarantine” feels a little trivial when there are bigger issues happening in the world. However, from the start, our hope was to be an escape and provide content that feels like a retreat. If we can offer some free and cost-effective options to make your living areas feel more like a retreat as well, then SO BE IT, we’re going to do it. How are you making your home feel like an oasis at this time?

1. Wash all of your bedding. What all great hotel beds have in common are comfortable mattresses, fluffy comforters, copious amounts of pillows and clean bedding. When at home, make it a regular part of your stay-at-home routine to freshen up your bedding. Maybe even throw in your own turn-down service if you’re feeling fancy.

2. Enjoy morning coffee and evening movies in bed. The center of every hotel room is the bed - it’s where all of the eating, sleeping, reading and movie watching happens. Instead of rushing to your WFH office, why not make room in your morning schedule to sip your coffee from bed and ease into the day? One of our biggest takeaways from quarantine has been to embrace slower living and appreciate life’s quiet moments. Mornings before the rush are the perfect times to do so. At the end of the day, gather up your loved ones and watch a movie together in bed. If you have little ones, make it a special treat for them to decide on the night’s movie.

3. Be your own room service. You know the Pinterest board you made that houses the recipes you told yourself you’d make one day? Well, one day is today. Find some recipes you’ve always wanted to try and make yourself a special meal. If cooking isn’t your forte, instead consider supporting a local restaurant that’s offering curbside pickup or delivery.

4. Clean your entire home as if you’re checking in guests. Designate a day each week/every other week where you deep clean your home as if new guests are checking in by 3:00 p.m. that day. You’ll give yourself a deadline, but also ensure your home gets the TLC it needs to remain looking and feeling beautiful. You then get to bask in your home as if you just arrived at a luxurious AirBNB.

5. Turn your bathroom into a hotel spa. Self care is the lifeblood getting us through quarantine, but if you’re able to step it up a notch, consider transforming your bathroom into a luxurious hotel spa. Light the special candles you’ve been saving for a special occasion, throw on a relaxing playlist, have a warm bath or shower and take as much time as you have to put on your skincare and favorite face masks. As an added luxury, consider warming up your towels in the dryer before your in-home spa treatment.