9 Ways to Make Your House Feel Like Home

Owning a house to return to is undoubtedly a blessing, a privilege not everyone enjoys. Yet, the art of crafting a genuine home is an entirely distinct endeavor. The two concepts are not synonymous! A home signifies a place where you long to spend the majority of your time, where comfort reigns, and where authenticity thrives. Creating such an environment for your family necessitates deliberate effort and a touch of dedication. Continue reading to discover additional techniques that may prove valuable in transforming your house into a true home.

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My aspiration is for my children to cherish the time they spend at home. Recently, my daughter was completing a school assignment in which she was asked to identify her favorite place. You know what she chose? Home! That filled me with immense pride! I reached out to several wonderful women I know and love, seeking their insights on how they cultivate that unmistakable sense of home in their own abodes. The responses I received formed a fantastic list.

Make it Cozy

Creating a comfortable space for relaxation is incredibly important for individuals returning home after a long day of work or school. A sense of comfort and belonging in one’s living environment facilitates the ability to unwind and destress.

One effective method of enhancing the coziness of your home is by incorporating various textures. A plush, comfortable sofa, for instance, provides an excellent spot for enjoying Netflix and relaxation. In our household, we have an abundance of luxuriously soft blankets that our children use on a daily basis. Additionally, enhancing the visual appeal of a room can contribute to its overall coziness. The addition of soft fur or velvet throw pillows on the couch can work wonders in both enhancing the look and feel of your home, making it a welcoming and snug haven.

Smell

When people enter your home, one of the first things they notice is its aroma. Does it carry the scent of your pet? The lingering fragrance of last night’s dinner? Or does it simply feel a bit stale? Enhancing the pleasantness of your home’s scent is an excellent way to establish an inviting ambiance that attracts your family. There exist countless methods to achieve this, such as baking cookies, lighting scented candles, ensuring proper ventilation if there’s an unpleasant odor, or even completing laundry chores.

Artwork

In our homes, the art we choose to display on our walls communicates powerful messages to our families, reflecting our values, beliefs, and our appreciation for beauty. As devout Christians, our walls feature numerous depictions of Jesus Christ, alongside inspiring quotes from religious leaders. A few years ago, my husband and I embarked on the journey of creating a family motto. Our chosen motto, ‘Family Above Everything,’ now graces a prominent 3’x 3′ wall art piece, symbolizing our unwavering commitment to family.

Cleanliness

I talk about this all of the time on my blog but there is a certain peace that comes with keeping a tidy home. There is an important distinction between clean and tidy versus sterile. If you are too uptight about your home, then people will NOT feel comfortable being there. This is something that I really have to work on. I love my home being clean and picked up but I have to work really hard to not nag my family all of the time.

I have an experience burned into my memory from when I was a teenager. A big group of my friends was over and we were having a great time! Then one of my friends put his feet up onto the coffee table. I froze. We were not allowed to put our feet up on the coffee table. What’s a girl to do?!

I politely asked my friend to get his feet off the table. But from then on, it felt weird. I felt like he was no longer comfortable at my house because of that. That made an impression on me, that people are more important than things. I want people to respect my home but I also want to create a home where everyone feels welcome. I am still trying to find that balance.

Plants

There have been so many times when I have been decorating and I couldn’t quite make a space look ‘right’. As soon as I put a plant, everything just seems to ‘jive’ together! How does that work?! I have no idea. All I know is that when I have plants in my house, it makes my house look and feel much more cohesive and welcoming.

Candles

I’m not sure how candles can have such an impact on a space, but that small flickering flame can have such a huge impact! I purchased battery-powered candles that turn on at the same time every night for 5 hours and it makes our home feel so cozy! Especially in the Fall and Winter months. The candles that I bought have a moving ‘flame’ that makes them look just like the real deal.

Family Photos

Having your own photo on a wall can evoke a strong sense of belonging. Sometimes, expressing love for our family can be as simple as framing their pictures. My sister-in-law consistently captures family moments through yearly photoshoots. While I haven’t been as diligent, I believe that displaying family photos on the wall can profoundly enhance the feeling of home.

This wall in my home was designated for family photos, but instead of traditional portraits, I chose to create a collage of memorable moments and shared experiences. It’s become one of my favorite features in my home.

Be at the Crossroads

Human beings universally seek love and affection. The joy of returning home after a long day at work or school to a welcoming smile and warm hug is an unparalleled feeling. If you have the opportunity, consider being a cornerstone for your family members. Be present when your children arrive home from school. Greet your spouse with open arms as they return from work.

During my own upbringing, I was fortunate to have a stay-at-home mom. I cherish the delightful memories of returning home from school, greeted by my mom’s curiosity about my day. We would often enjoy a snack together and watch Oprah in the kitchen, or on some days, indulge in baking cookies together. Such small, thoughtful gestures leave lasting impressions on our loved ones, shaping their lives in profound ways.

Positive Attitude and No Contention

My final point is the most impactful and can sometimes be the most difficult to implement. But making that daily effort to create love and unity in a home is well worth the effort. Sometimes I am working from moment to moment to be the patient, loving mom that I dreamed of being when I was younger. It has proven to be much harder than I thought. I love my kids more than life itself but they also know how to test my patience more than anyone else on earth.

A Family is like a Laboratory. We are constantly experimenting, constantly failing, and trying again and again. Sometimes we see successes, sometimes we failures. But one thing is for sure. It is absolutely worth it! Every single second!

I hope that this post has given you some helpful ideas on how you can turn your house into a home where your family loves to spend quality time together.

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