So it's holiday season. The kids are off school, you have some time off work, but there is a problem. For one reason or another, you aren't allowed to take a trip away. Can you really enjoy the downtime that you need at home...?

...You can certainly give it a try. So in this article, we look at ways in which you can make the best of a holiday at home. You never know, it might be just as relaxing, and it certainly won't hurt your bank account!

- Time to 'clock off'

One thing is for sure, if you are going to make the most of your time off, you can't just live at home as you would do usually. That means cutting yourself from some aspects of 'everyday life'. Work emails should be first on the list. Set that automated 'out of office' reply and resist the temptation to take sneaky peaks at your inbox. And remember that DIY projects or any type of home working should be seen as a no-no. After all, you wouldn't do those things on holiday, would you?

- Leave aside your routine

You certainly shouldn't be getting up at the same time you would do for the morning school run. Try switching up your routine a little. Why not sleep in later as you would do on holiday? Some leeway on bedtime might even encourage the kids to sleep in a bit later too... if you're lucky! Watch some late-night movies, play some card games, have a look at what's lurking in your drinks cabinet - in essence, do the things you might not do with work in the morning.

- Become a 'hometown tourist'

When's the last time you checked out the new restaurants in your vicinity, visited a local museum, or went for a hike through some nearby green space? Try treating your area as if you were holidaying there, and you might be pleasantly surprised how different from the norm your day feels. Think of each day of your 'home holiday' as an exploration - don't settle for the norm!

- Treat yourself

What do you and your family love to do? A day trip to the spa? Cheering on your favourite sports team? Eating ice cream? The key is to treat and pamper yourself with things you wouldn't do on a normal day. When we are at home, it can be so easy to fall into our everyday habits, but you must remember that you are on a home holiday. That means giving in to temptations for once, which brings us on to spending...

- Have a holiday budget

If you can, put aside a lump of money to spend, as you would do on holiday - and try to spend it! Watching the wallet too much can make it feel like any other day, so do your best to splash out, within reason. Even if it's just a trip to the mall and some 'retail therapy', you can guarantee your wardrobe will be ready for action as soon as holidays are allowed!

- Enliven your indoor space

It could be an idea to give your property a makeover ahead of your home holiday. Whether it's a lick of paint, some new curtains, or something more complex like a room refurbishment; you will be perfectly placed to enjoy the new features when you are kicking back during your time off.

We hope that you enjoyed these tips on how to vacation in familiar surroundings. Interior design can offer wonderful benefits to our lives throughout the year. If you are interested in how colour, sound, and light therapy can enhance your wellbeing, call Jarvis Interiors on +61 412 398 313 for a chat.