Four ways to make your staycation count

With the number of work days left in 2022 trickling down into single numbers, our thoughts are naturally turning to what we should do with our time off over the festive season. If you've decided to stay at home this year, there are plenty of ways to put your days to good use around the house. One of the best ways to do this is to get your home looking its best. This will allow you to enjoy your home's maximum potential in 2023 or - if you are wanting to move on - you'll be ready to put your home on the market. Jawitz Properties provides four ideas for a purposeful staycation.

Declutter and embrace minimalism

There are many strategies for conquering clutter. Possibly the most talked-about one of recent years is the Marie Kondo method, which states simply that if an object does not bring you joy, it has no place in your life or your home. Another great rule of thumb to follow is that if you haven't used it, worn it, read it, looked at it or watched it in the last 12 months, it's time for it to go. For many people, decluttering works best when it is done room by room. Trying to declutter the entire house can become an overwhelming and thoroughly avoided task. Decluttering doesn't necessarily mean throwing away. That which has become clutter for you could be a blessing to another family in your community this festive season.

Create a feature wall

Breathing new life into your living room doesn't mean repainting the entire room. Why not use your time at home this festive season to create a feature wall? By painting one wall a bright, dynamic colour, you create visual appeal and a talking point in your home. If you're looking for inspiration, the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, a bold choice which - according to Pantone - "vibrates with vim and vigour".

If painting a wall doesn't seem like a good way to spend your holiday, you could also add a touch of something new to a wall with the help of a wall vinyl sticker. The sky's the limit with wall vinyls and you can emblazon your wall with a few words or a small image - or you can get a vinyl custom-printed to fit your whole wall and serve as wallpaper. If you go the latter route, get a professional to install your vinyl for you so as to avoid bubbles.

Another great idea for a feature wall is to have an assortment of pictures - think family pictures, holiday memories or your favourite places - printed onto canvases and transform a plain wall into a memory bank.

Plant a herb and vegetable garden

Use your time off this festive season to save yourself time and money next year - all while refilling your energy cup. If you've got a herb garden, growing some simple staples like basil, coriander, mint and sage means that you don't need to add these items to your shopping list. Also, why not try your hand at planting some vegetables this festive season? Start your hand with some easy ones like spinach, lettuce, and tomatoes and within a few months, you could be harvesting your own veggies.

Set your patio area up with summer vibes for entertainment

As South Africans, we enjoy our outdoor and braai time - and it's great when both these pastimes can be enjoyed in the comfort of our homes. If a staycation is on the cards for these summer holidays, then now is the time to kit out your patio and braai area.

Solar/battery-powered fairy lights always add to the outdoor ambience, especially with Christmas and New Year's Eve around the corner. Make sure you have necessary candles ready for unexpected loadshedding and mosquitoes. A bluetooth speaker will enhance and complete the vibe for your staycation.

There are plenty of ways that you can put your time off to good use this festive season. You can make your home a more attractive, functional and less clutter-filled space for your family to enjoy. Or, if you're considering putting your home on the market, you can declutter and take the first steps towards getting it staged to sell. Contact Jawitz Properties for advice and assistance with selling your property.