What Home Means to Me
I believe that it is possible for each of us to make our house feel like HOME.
For me, home represents a place of comfort and tranquility where I can unwind. I can picture myself sitting in a warm, snuggly chair with a soft light glowing overhead, sipping a drink and reading a book.
It’s where I feel at peace and protected.
I imagine a space where my loved ones can come together to share laughter, games, movies, and dancing. A place where we can read and discuss scripture together. A place where we can study and learn all the things we want to learn and a place where we can all enjoy spending quality time together.
Most of all, home is a haven of orderliness.
Why Orderliness?
A cluttered space can cause stress and make it challenging to focus. It is also difficult to feel peace in a space that has little or no order.
I definitely recognize this in myself. It is very difficult when I have to sit and focus for any period of time and there are many things out of place. I love the way I feel when things are in order as I sit down to do activities that require any focus. I also recognize the calming feeling I have when my surroundings are neat and clean.
Taking time to declutter and continue to do so regularly will help maintain a clean and serene environment for everyone.
Some people may associate orderliness with boredom, but that does not have to be the case. There is plenty of fun to be had in a space that is clean and organized!
Striving for a Peaceful and Orderly Home
As we strive to make our homes more peaceful and organized, there are some important things to keep in mind.
Making a house feel like home is not just about decorating it with fancy furnishings or expensive decor. It’s about creating an environment that resonates with your personality and values.
Here are some tips to help you make your house feel like HOME:
- Personalize your space with items that hold sentimental value, such as family photos or heirlooms.
- Incorporate your favorite colors and textures into your decor to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
- Add comfortable seating arrangements, such as sofas or armchairs, to make your space more welcoming and conducive to relaxation.
- Consider adding some greenery or natural elements, such as plants or flowers, to bring life and freshness into your home.
- Keep your space organized and clutter-free to create a sense of calm and orderliness.
By following these tips, you can create a warm and inviting space that truly feels like home.
Revamping My Living Room
As I sit in my living room typing this post, I notice all of the things that don’t belong here. I see the bare walls that have remained undecorated since we moved here five years ago!
Although it isn’t necessarily untidy, I feel that there are several things that we could improve upon to make this space more inviting and visually appealing.
- This room serves as a welcoming retreat for my family and friends. I want it to be a comfortable space where we can gather, play games, dance, and just enjoy time together.
- The living room is also the primary location for our homeschool materials and books, so it would be great to organize everything in a manner that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
- This room also shares space with our entryway. I would like to make this area of the room welcoming and practical.
Another thing is that I believe adding more greenery would enhance the ambiance of this space. While I’m not a plant guru, I’m committed to learning how to properly care for them, so we can enjoy their beauty and reap the benefits of having house plants.
My Plans
Our living room is a multi-purpose space, with both the front and back doors to our home as well as a door leading to our side porch. It also contains both our entryway and the stairway and of course, the living room itself.
The Plan Part 1
My initial focus will be on the entryway area, which serves as storage for shoes, coats and jackets, hats and mittens during the winter season, and bags. We also have a shelf to keep keys and bins to store miscellaneous items.
To maximize this area, I have devised a three-part plan to enhance its functionality while adding some personal touches:
- The first part of my plan is to take an old bookshelf that is in rough shape and refinish it. I want to add it to our entryway to hold our shoes which are currently crowding the stairs. This will help keep the stairs clear and make the area more organized. I also want to add a shelf above and some hooks to hold hats or bags on them.
- The second part of my plan for the entryway is to clear out non-seasonal coats and jackets, as well as those that no longer fit. Also, I plan to clear the shelves and add any bins or trays to hold the items we plan to store on the shelves to make the space more practical.
- As I revamp the entryway, I want to add some personal touches to make this space feel more inviting. I plan to incorporate some decorative elements that complement the rest of our living room. By adding some practical yet decorative items, we can create a functional and aesthetically-pleasing space.
I’m convinced that my vision for this space will make a huge difference with regards to the atmosphere and functionality of this room. There’s so much potential and I’m eager to make it a more comfortable and functional area for my family and all those who enter here.
The Plan Part 2
There is a large shelving unit under our television that is currently used to store homeschool materials, board and card games, and other miscellaneous items. While this space will remain dedicated to storing these things, I’m looking for ways to make it more visually appealing.
To achieve this goal, I plan to add some new storage bins that are both functional and visually appealing, specifically for our homeschool materials as well as a couple more bins for the games.
For the top of the shelf, I would like to find a few plants that we can keep to add some green to the space.
I am so excited about the opportunities to improve this space and make it truly special!
The Plan Part 3
The last part of my plan for this room is to make the seating area more welcoming and extra cozy. I have some old pillows I plan to revitalize by adding new coverings to them. Even though this is a fairly simple thing to do, I know it will transform their appearance and breathe new life into this space.
Welcome to Our HOME
There are definitely a few other things that I would like to do in this space, but these projects are very doable right now and a great start to make our living room what I have always dreamed for it to be!
I would love for you to join me on this journey as I share the progress I am making. I am excited for what these efforts will provide for my family and others who will be welcomed into our HOME!
Remember, making your house a home is a journey that will take time. Enjoy the process as you work to make you home a special place for your family and all who enter!