Sometimes our homes don’t feel like a home, as much as it feels like a house we just live in. This can be very frustrating, and may leave you feeling a bit stressed out or overwhelmed. Part of homemaking is finding ways to cultivate an atmosphere that reduces stress and creates a sense of comfort. But how are we supposed to do that? Little by little, bit by bit; making small changes at time. Keep in mind, homemaking isn’t something to be mastered overnight but something that is built on over the years. I really appreciate the learning process of being a homemaker; it keeps me busy and there is always a fun, new skill to discover!
So lets lay down a few building blocks on our homemaking foundation that can be expanded on over time:
1. Add warm lighting.
I’ve recently started adding more candles and small lamps around my house to create small pools of warm light, rather than using large bright lights all of the time. It really helps to create a nice, and cozy atmosphere. My husband has even commented on how much he likes it! There’s no need to spend a lot of money on fancy candles and extravagant lamps; you can easily do this on a tight budget, taking advantage of thrift stores, your local dollar store, or using what you already have.
My mother-in-law gave me a box of small, empty yogurt jars to use as wedding decorations back when my husband and I were getting married. Since I already had them I decided to put them to use again, placing tealights in them (that was also left over from the wedding) and setting them around the house. They don’t provide a lot of light, but they give off a calm, warm glow. I also keep the hurricane lamp my grandmother gave me years ago, on in the evening so we don’t have to turn on the big, bright light when walking to the kitchen or bathroom when it’s dark out.
In addition to bringing comfort to my home, these two sources of light seem to bring a sense of quietness that help us to settle down before bed. I would suggest starting in a room or area that you and your family enjoy spending time in together. Perhaps while eating dinner you can light a few candles or use a small lamp instead of the large ceiling light above the table; or maybe put a small lamp on the bookcase in the living room so you can enjoy the warm glow while reading or watching a movie. Changing the lighting can really make a big difference in a rooms atmosphere!
2. Get a functioning piece of decor.
It’s crazy how little changes can make a house feel like a home. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on decoration to make your house look a certain way to make it feel homey. A few pieces of decor that serves a purpose can change the look and feel of your home by adding a piece of yourself to it without creating clutter.
Take a walk around your house and take note a few ordinary things that you have that do their job but either aren’t your style or have no style at all. This can be anything from a paper towel holder, to a calendar, to a soap dish, or something to put your pens in. They’re the simple, basic things that nobody really thinks about but upgrading 1 or 2 of them can add a sense of your own personal touch to your home. You may want to put your dish soap into a pretty pump instead of the bottle just sitting out on the counter, or get creative and put your pens in an old flower pot!
Keep your eyes open at thrift stores, yard sales, and craft shows for the items you want to replace your old things with. Don’t settle for just upgrading something to something else that’s a little nicer but look for things that match your unique and personal style. There’s nothing wrong with the things we use every day being pretty and making us smile a little whenever we use them. One of my favorite pieces of functioning decor is a little bell I keep on the windowsill above the kitchen sink. I use it to hold my rings while I do dishes, make dinner, and clean. It keeps my rings safe and it makes me smile every time I use it because my husband bought it for me.
“There’s nothing wrong with the things we use every day being pretty”
3. Have a weekly game/ no electronics night.
Part of homemaking is creating a space for you, your family, and friends to gather together. Whether its just you and your spouse, or all 10 of you, this is an easy and cheap way to incorporate homemaking into your life. One of my favorite memories growing up was the evenings when my grandmother, mother, and I would sit around drinking tea, talking, and playing cards or board games; with no phone or TV to distract us. We had great, meaningful conversations with each other, that still stick with me today, and oh, how the nights would fill up with laughter! As the night went on, and we became sleepy, we would become more and more goofy; and the laughter would only grow. I miss doing this with them but now that I’m married I get to carry this tradition into my own family.
The beauty of disconnecting yourself from outside distractions is that it can help you to slow down and appreciate the home you have and the people that’s around you. It creates memories, and memories help to make a house feel like a home.
The one thing all of these things have in common is adding your own personal touch to your home in one way or another. There are many more things that can help make a house feel like a home but I hope this little list has sparked some ideas in you that you can implement into your own house. Start small wherever you can, and build on it over time, continuing to add more of yourself to your home little by little. Soon you will see the atmosphere changing in your house!
Feel free to comment and share the simple things you like to do that makes your house feel like a home!
All great ideas for making a house a home. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for reading, Rachel, I’m so glad you liked it!
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