How I Make My House Feel Like Home
Hi friends!
Like a lot of people, my house is where I spend most of my time. It didn’t used to be anything special for me – throughout most of my apartments and homes it’s just been where I live. Only in the last year or so have I made it where I really live. Where I want to be 24/7. I’ve turned it into my favorite place to be – a space where I am instantly at ease and feel proud of what I’ve created. Here are some key things I’ve done to make it feel that way:
First: Stop Procrastinating, Start Cleaning
Yeah, it sucks. Yes, it’s time consuming. But you just have to clean. And I mean really clean. And on a regular basis. I vacuum, mop, wipe all surfaces, and wash the sheets once a week at least. All mirrors, baseboards, toilets, and dusty corners get sprayed and wiped down a couple times a month and I use one of those tiny little handheld DustBuster things in my own bathroom after every shower because I shed a LOT. Maybe it sounds overwhelming, but it doesn’t all have to be done at once. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. I will say, though, once I start, most times I get the urge to just keep going and before I know it I’ve done it all. Just turn on some music, pour a glass of wine and get moving. Make it a fun event, not a chore. I promise sitting on your couch feels better knowing your house is spotless – and your mental health will thank you for it too.
Second: Home Decor
Decorating my house is quite possibly one of my favorite things to do. I aim for the boho beach vibe, so a lot of my things are wicker, wood, and white. Whatever your vibe is, just fill your house with it! It doesn’t have to happen overnight either, but every time you go run errands, pick up a piece or 2 that you like whether it’s a lamp, a vase, a plant, etc. Before you know it, you’ll be surrounded by decor that you hand picked and are proud of – that makes it more fun to be home. Seriously – sometimes I get distracted from the tv by admiring how cute my decor is. It’s fun to look at! Pinterest is a great place to get inspo if you don’t know what you like or how to start. Some key items that I can never have enough of are throw blankets, greenery and candles. In my house, there’s always room for more decor!
Third: Pictures
If your house doesn’t feel homey, take a second and look around. How many picture frames do you have on display with your favorite memories in them? Do you have any wall art? It took me a few apartments to realize that I was missing things on the wall and didn’t even notice. Picture frames on tables and art hanging on the walls, whether it be photos, funky shelves or something abstract, make a huge difference in that “homey” feel. I use Walgreens to print hard copies of my favorite photos and there are plenty of stores on Etsy that will blow them up onto canvases for you.
Fourth: Ambient Lighting
See those built in ceiling lights all over the place? Yeah we don’t know them. Pretend they don’t exist. Your house should feel cozy, not like a cubicle or hospital room. I’ve lived in my current house for about 9 months and can count on one hand how many times I’ve actually touched a light switch. Lamps, lamps, lamps! And more lamps! Lamps are a great way to make the room lit and cozy without making it too bright. I have a lot of traditional looking lamps of all sizes as well as a handful of salt lamps and even a bunch of night lights plugged in around spaces that get dark at night. The comfort I get from the glow of a Christmas tree is the comfort I strive for year round. This creates a big cozy factor and sets the perfect atmosphere for a nap – a napmosphere if you will.
Fifth: Real Furniture
This one might seem obvious but if you are a young adult like me (I’m 25), you probably have quite a bit of stuff leftover from college dorms, first apartments, etc. that made for easy transportation. I’m talking those plastic rolling shelves that you used year after year in college that your dad put together for you in your dorm room on move-in day. I used shelves like that as a bookcase/decor piece in my old apartment just earlier this year and only after moving out and looking back at pictures did I see how cheap it looked. They are great to keep, don’t get me wrong. But they may serve a better purpose as shelf storage in the garage rather than the main living space. Find unique, real built furniture instead. There are so many cute things you can find on Facebook marketplace or personalized buy/sell/trade groups in your local area that are budget friendly.
At the end of the day, your house is just that – your house. So it really doesn’t matter what other people like or don’t like as long as you like it. It’s the only space you have where you can truly detach from the rest of the world and completely let your guard down – so hit up those Pinterest boards and make the most of it!
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