I love the comfort of my own home. There are many days I just can’t wait to go home an relax. And I think this desire is all about the art of making your house homey.
When I think homey, there are many things that pop up into my mind….
- a cozy fireplace
- a home cooked meal
- fresh laundry hanging up
- kids running around
I think everyone can understand this feeling and your comforts may be different than my own. I can just guarantee that you can strive for making your house homey feel in your own space.
I am going to give you an outline of suggestions of how to enjoy your space even more. I may be married with a child, but you don’t have to have a family to enjoy all the same feels. When I was a single mother, I still longed to be home and was thankful for many of these items.
Home cooking should be enjoyed
I love to cook! And I think the best part is my husband enjoys it as well. We need to teach my daughter how to cook skills, and hopefully it becomes second nature to her as it does for my husband and I.
I plan all our weekly meals out. This strategy eases the stress of home cooking. We know what is expected, so we can prep ahead and get ready for each meal.
I prefer a home cooked dinner. We have the occasional left over night, but leftovers in our home are saved for lunches. So we can enjoy the evening meal together and like to keep it fresh and hot.
The best part of our home cooking is trying new recipes or incorporating new fruits/vegetables into our diet. I have tried the subscription Misfits Market. They have opened our world to new ingredients. Also pinterest is a wonderful world of new recipes tried and trued by other bloggers.
This week I picked up a handful of turnips. I had to do some quick research to figure out how to use them, but the excitement we are getting with new tastes and experiences is awesome.
Making Your House Homey with a Family Dinner
Now as a parent, I understand why my parents insisted on family dinners. Not only is it a time to debrief everyone on their days, it is also a mandatory family get together.
Our lives are hectic, and we are always on the go! Family dinners give us the reassurance that we can make time for one another and reconnect again over something as simple as dinner.
It is also my time as a mom to know my kid is getting a healthy balance of veggies and nutrition at at least one of their meals. Even though I pack the lunches, I can’t guarantee she eats everything she should be.
Dinner is the perfect balance everything from nutrition to the re-connection that we all need.
Daily Tidy to Making your house Homey
Our houses can get away from us. As a parent or not, our daily activities of coming and going can create messes in our personal spaces. This is just natural.
I personally make an effort to clean up these messes each night, especially the counter tops. Something about my counters being clear gives me the sense of accomplishment.
I know cleaning up every night may be a stretch for some people. I like the feeling of being able to restart the next day when I do this. My day can start better the next morning without facing the mess.
I have to involve the whole household in this. If you live with a family they should help pick up. There is no way one person made all the mess. Teaching children to pick up after themselves teaches them responsibility of their own.
Homey Touches to Your Home Decor
A home is not a home if the decor doesn’t reflect the family that lives there. I read in a Better Homes and Garden magazine once that you should “let your home tell your story.” I like this it is an excellent perspective.
My husband doesn’t like clutter in our home, but there are personal items that just aren’t leaving any time soon. I have a mix of balance with the decor in my home.
I like the family photos, but the place isn’t flooded with them. There are personal items that we have collected over the years, but I haven’t kept them all. I have spread throughout the house of items carefully picked from Home Goods and our personal items that describe where we have been and done.
My child has seen items in our home since she was born and if I were to remove them than she may lose her sense of comfort. To her this is her sense of a homey feel.
Let Kids Be Kids
For the families reading this, just let the kids be kids! It is so hard to see them make messes and not freak out. Trust me, I am super guilty of this!
I just know the days that I have actually let my child run wild in the house are her favorite days. Messes acan always be cleaned at the end of the day.
Let that fort be made on a rainy day. Have the kids help you with every step in a recipe. Let them empty that toy bin on the floor. I guarantee these will be their fondest memories.
As a parent we just need to remember they are having fun and it is their home too. When the kids feel comfortable making messes than you know they are happy in their own home.
Let the good times come and enjoy your home to your full potential. I could tell you all the extra details that make my house special, but nothing compares to the comfort you feel in it.
It makes a difference when you long to be home. Especially upon entering, you know everyone you love is there and you can just enjoy life with them!
