2 Pro Organizers Share Tips on Building Healthy Habits at Home

As a home builder, I often concentrate on the structure and mechanics. These processes are extremely important for Health Homes and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). However, the Health Habits presented have too often been overlooked. I'll be sure to make my clients aware of these ideas as well. john

Beautiful ideas! Very functional and helpful! Love the nightstand design! My home is overwhelming because of clutter and I don’t know where to began to start the de-clutter!

If we want to put our money where our mouths are where healthy homes are concerned, start by getting over the upholstered headboard trend. Who doesn’t love a luxurious fabric, like velvet or silk jacquard? But not next to the head at night. Most people suffer from allergies. Upholstered beds are a place for dust mites and, likely, bedbugs, to settle in and get comfy. Even if you vacuum the headboard weekly, it will be impossible over a short period of time to maintain a clean bed space. Upholstered furniture, like carpet, maintains a certain amount of oil and dirt no matter how often you steam clean. Maybe do slipcovered headboards if feasible, and wash frequently. But what a pain and extra expense.

Moving out of a home with wall to wall carpet in the bedrooms several years ago (a rental, of course) and putting down engineered wood flooring and tile throughout our own home was one of the best things my husband and I did for our health. We have natural fiber sisal and vintage wool area rugs in a few spaces of the home - much easier to remove and clean. If you have to have warm softness beneath your feet when you get up in the morning, put an area rug next to the bed and keep some slippers nearby.