Making Your House a Home

Photo: South Shore Decorating Blog

For most of us, our homes are the single biggest investment we will ever make. So whether you are moving in to a new house, have lived in yours for a while but it still doesn’t feel quite right, or just need to reset for the fall, here are simple tips for making your house a home, no matter how long you have lived in it or what your personal style is.

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1. GET ORGANIZED

This is the most important part of feeling comfortable anywhere. Even though it may not bother you, there are likely others in your life that it adds a lot of stress to their daily routines. Why would you want to spend an hour looking for your keys instead of taking 10 seconds to hang them up in the same spot when you walk in the door? Or not realizing you already had 2 bags of sugar in the pantry because they were hidden behind boxes of cereal? When homes are disorganized time + money are wasted on unnecessary things. Not everything needs to be perfectly organized all the time…that’s not living. But making an effort to have “a place for everything and everything in it’s place” can make for a much calmer space to come home to.

2. FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT ROOMS

For most people this is the kitchen, living area + bedrooms. These spaces should be comfortable, inviting + organized. Make sure you can find everything you need in the kitchen readily and that the items in it fit your lifestyle. If there is a bunch of mismatched flatware, dishes + glasses do a purge and donate them to shelters or consignment shops then invest in a full new set. It’s a simple refresh that will make a big impact.

In the living area, having comfortable throw pillows + blankets encourages family to hang out + relax. Layered lighting is also great for creating different moods: recessed lighting, table lamps, wall sconces + candles can all help to set the tone. It’s nice to have a formal area but it’s important to also have a space where you can really put your feet up.

The bedroom is where we do the most recharging and a good night’s sleep is paramount for a good morning. Having a clean room with comfortable, high quality bedding like this set, soft lighting at night and good natural light for morning is so important. In our home the bedrooms have small windows + lack good exposure to natural light and it drives me nuts! But the first thing I do in the morning is open the shutters to let light in for a bright start + help waking up.

Never underestimate the importance of clean kids rooms, too. Children are much more sensitive to chaos than we realize and when they don’t have a calm room to sleep in it can lead to a lot of restlessness. Having a good routine for them also helps and every now + again I put some calming essential oils in the diffuser to add to a relaxing atmosphere. I especially love this diffuser from Vitruvi.

3. PLAY TO THE SENSES

When we appeal to our senses it helps to create a balance between ourselves + our environment. If there is a bad smell in the room it can ruin our whole perception of the space. Couple that with a messy floor + poor lighting and you have a recipe for disharmony. Loud noises, clutter, bad or overly strong scents + harsh lighting can create stress within us that we may not even notice. Try adjusting just one of these elements that may be wrong in your home and you will notice a huge difference in the comfort level.

Some things to try: If you have rooms that echo too much, add an area rug to absorb some sound. Place a lamp to a particularly dark corner of a room or clean off the kitchen counters. Instead of an unsightly plug-in air freshener in the bathroom that wastes electricity + can be overpowering for small spaces, add in a subtle reed diffuser like these from Archipelago.

4. ADD LUXURY

It can be something as simple as a high end candle, like this one or this one, or quality bedding you have saved up for. Whatever your definition of luxury is, splurge on something that you will enjoy + take care of. You don’t need to have a house full of expensive items, but a few investment pieces here and there will make you appreciate your home that much more.

5. DISPLAY FAMILY PHOTOS

For some reason this is one area I have always slacked off. Maybe it’s because most of my photos are on the phone but it is something I am trying to incorporate into our home. If there’s no sign of your family, how will it ever really reflect a feeling of togetherness?

6. SPEND MORE TIME IN IT

You will never know what makes you comfortable or uncomfortable in your home if you’re never there. When the house becomes a place to just touch base then head out the door again, it will never be a relaxing space to escape + recharge, it will just echo the stress + busyness of the rest of your life outside the home. Taking some time as a family to do a clean up day can be cathartic + a really good bonding experience + sense of accomplishment as a whole. Making time to all sit down for dinner or a family movie night builds a sense of comfort + love. There are lots of ways to enjoy the place that is to be your refuge from the rest of the world.

7. FIX WHAT DOESN’T WORK

Whether it’s a leaky faucet, broken light fixture or a poorly organized kitchen, these small obstacles can make you feel agitated + uncomfortable in your own home. Take a weekend to address these things and see an improvement in your attitude towards the home.

8. INCORPORATE SOMETHING UNIQUELY YOURS

It’s great to use Instagram + Pinterest for inspiration and aspiration but to truly feel like YOUR home there should be elements that speak to you. Whether it’s a blanket knitted by your grandmother or other passed down heirlooms, these are additions that can’t be bought in a store and are invaluable to the uniqueness of your home + story of your life.

What are some ways you have made your house a home? What is the most important thing you need to feel comfortable in your home? Here are some of my favorite pieces to help create a feeling of calm, warmth + elegance in any home.