{"id":1598510,"date":"2020-05-22T17:32:07","date_gmt":"2020-05-22T21:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/?p=1598510"},"modified":"2020-06-15T07:57:12","modified_gmt":"2020-06-15T11:57:12","slug":"sarah-gunn-allergy-reducing-home-decor-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/sarah-gunn-allergy-reducing-home-decor-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Sarah Gunn: Allergy Reducing Home D\u00e9cor Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are looking for all things pastel and pretty and need some inspiration, take a look at Sarah Gunn\u2019s Instagram<\/a>.\u00a0 She is a regular design and lifestyle expert on Canada\u2019s longest running lifestyle show, Cityline.\u00a0 In addition, she also offers design services.\u00a0 Sarah understands how to make a room beautiful and functional at the same time.\u00a0 With allergy season coming up, we wanted to find out more about how we could bring a little life to home d\u00e9cor while still being allergy friendly.\u00a0 We also learned some organizing tips to help us declutter in a way that isn\u2019t overwhelming.\u00a0 Read on for her tips.<\/p>\n

\"Sarah<\/p>\n

Dust mites, pet dander, and pollen can all be allergy triggers.\u00a0 What decorating styles are the most problematic for allergy sufferers?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can mitigate allergy symptoms no matter what your d\u00e9cor style is. However, adopting a \u2018less is best\u2019 mentality with styling your home is important.\u00a0 It will minimize dust build up and it will make it much easier to do the frequent cleaning that is recommended if you have allergies.<\/p>\n

I recommend opting for natural, washable fabrics, swapping out wall to wall carpeting for hardwood floors and other hard surfaces.\u00a0 Again, you will be cleaning them more frequently, and they won\u2019t trap dust and dander.\u00a0 Then, you want the right tools for the prep.\u00a0 Keep your windows closed during allergy season.\u00a0 I know how hard that is.\u00a0 The first thing that we want to do when the weather gets nicer is open our windows, but keeping them closed really does help.\u00a0 Invest in an air purifier to remove airborne particles.\u00a0 Finally, you can get fast relief from your allergy symptoms like itchy watery eyes. I know that my son has severe sneezing and congestion and taking Reactine Rapid Dissolve helps.<\/p>\n

Many people love the look of plush upholstery and fabric drapes.\u00a0 What are some allergy reducing fabrics that may give a room a similar look and feel? <\/strong><\/p>\n

You can still have fabric drapery as long as you are committed to keeping them clean<\/a>.\u00a0 You are going to have to vacuum them and wash them on a regular basis.\u00a0 A tight-weave fabric is better because it\u2019s not going to hold onto a lot of dust, but you are going to want to make sure that it\u2019s washable.\u00a0 Natural fabrics like linen or heavy weight cotton are what you are looking for.\u00a0 A lot of people think that organic fabrics are better.\u00a0 They are environmentally friendly, but not necessarily better for people with allergies.\u00a0 If you are more like me and not the most amazing housekeeper in the world, use wood shutters or blinds that are wipeable.\u00a0 You can just get a damp cloth and wipe them down frequently \u2013 it\u2019s lower maintenance.<\/p>\n

The best thing to do if you have allergies with furniture and upholstery is to swap out fabric furniture for leather.\u00a0 If you do love the look of fabric upholstered pieces, just make sure that the cushions have removable and washable covers.<\/p>\n

\"Boys<\/p>\n

The kitchen and bathroom are not top of mind when people are thinking of allergy-proofing their homes.\u00a0 What are the \u201chidden\u201d risks in these rooms and what are your tips to keeping them at bay?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The number one tip is to clean this spaces frequently. You might not think that you are going to get as much dust build up in those spaces, but if your counters are cluttered with products, those are all places for dust to hide.\u00a0 You want to ensure that those flat surfaces are clutter free to make cleaning easier.\u00a0 Again, keep your windows closed.\u00a0 Using cleaners that are free of harsh chemicals is also important.\u00a0 You want to find some natural cleaning products whether you are washing your dishes or cleaning your bath.<\/p>\n

How can you effectively organize rooms to help eliminate allergens?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Decluttering is number one.\u00a0 All those little piles that gather around your house whether its papers, unread books, old toys or things that aren\u2019t being used on a regular basis should be purged.\u00a0 Keep your flat surfaces like coffee tables, bedside tables and side tables clear.\u00a0 I know that we love to style and stack, but minimal is better.<\/p>\n

I think a lot of people right now are feeling overwhelmed in general.\u00a0 Tackling a really large decluttering project is only going to add to that.\u00a0 What I\u2019ve been recommending is that people do smaller projects.\u00a0 Instead of doing your entire closet, entire kitchen or a whole room in general, I\u2019ve just been tackling one area of that space. For example, we have a side board in our dining room and I just did that.\u00a0 We have a junk drawer in our kitchen and I organized that.\u00a0 I worked on our papers.\u00a0 It\u2019s about a project that you can start and complete in one session.\u00a0 You have that sense of accomplishment; it\u2019s a great distraction and it is going to add function.<\/p>\n

My approach to organization is to group like with like so that similar items are together.\u00a0 Make sure that you can see everything that is still there because I believe that seeing is believing.\u00a0 You forget it if you don\u2019t see it all the time.\u00a0 Even though we can\u2019t donate right now, I\u2019ve carved out a place in my home where I can set all of those things aside where I don\u2019t see it every day.\u00a0 I\u2019m getting rid of everything that doesn\u2019t add beauty or function.<\/p>\n

You also want to make sure that you have those proper remedies at hand.\u00a0 I always make sure that I have Reactine in stock so that you can even prevent the symptoms from getting to a level where you need to intervene.<\/p>\n

How do you keep your son\u2019s space fun for him, while still minimizing the clutter<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

He is much like his mother \u2013 he\u2019s a collector.\u00a0 He loves gem stones and geos.\u00a0 If I let him go to town, every surface in his room would be covered.\u00a0 It would be so hard to keep clean.\u00a0 Instead of a dresser, he has a glass display cabinet in his room with shelves, but it has doors that can be closed.\u00a0 He can have his things, and let me tell you there are a lot of them!\u00a0 He styled it himself and it\u2019s adorable.\u00a0 Since they are behind glass, he can look at them and he can bring them out if he wants to investigate and look them up in his gem books, but when he\u2019s not using them, they aren\u2019t collecting dust.<\/p>\n

\"Sarah<\/p>\n

Many people have limited incomes.\u00a0 What are some simple, cost effective ways to help refresh or redesign a room that won\u2019t break the bank?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The situation that we were in right now, lends itself to all of these tips more than ever before. \u00a0Number one \u2013 shop your home.\u00a0 It\u2019s amazing how rearranging furniture or choosing accessories with items from other rooms can really change a space.\u00a0 Paint is the most budget friendly way to change your room. It \u00a0makes the biggest impact whether you paint the walls or just give furniture an update.\u00a0 If you have a piece that you no longer like the colour of or it has seen better days, just give it a good coat of paint.\u00a0 Add art \u2013 it makes a room feel styled and does not have to be expensive, but it really finishes a space.<\/p>\n

What trends are you seeing in the decorating world that are environmentally friendly and will work for people with allergies?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A big one is decorating with natural materials, fabrics and woods.\u00a0 There is more of a focus on what you are using instead of just the beauty of it.\u00a0 People are finally realizing how important that is.\u00a0 Selecting non-toxic products with everything from low-VOC paint to flooring options that are more environmentally friendly.\u00a0 These items are becoming more accessible now.\u00a0 They have been around for awhile, but they are becoming more accessible from availability to price point.<\/p>\n

I think our current situation proves that we can live happily with much less.\u00a0 We are spending so much time at home and we are recognizing that visual clutter not only affects our allergies but also our mood as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you are looking for all things pastel and pretty and need some inspiration, take a look at Sarah Gunn\u2019s Instagram.\u00a0 She is a regular design and lifestyle expert on…<\/div>\n
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