Hello, my dear readers,
I’m back with a new post. Today’s topic is, making a home: what does it mean and how can I do it?
First, we need to figure out what it means to 'make a home'. Here are my thoughts: I think making a home means creating a space that is clean, beautiful, and comfortable for you and your guests. Although part of it, it is way more than just keeping your space clean and organized. Making a home involves your heart. I believe, the following tips will help you make your space into a beautiful home.
1. Keep it clean
Of course, this first tip is essential to having a beautiful home. If your space isn’t clean, then it cannot be comfortable and beautiful. Remove the dust from your furniture, vacuum your space, wipe the floors, clean your carpets if you have any, make sure the dishes are done, your tables are clean, your bathroom is clean, etc. Make sure there are no strong smells in your home and that there is enough fresh air. You want to make your family, yourself, and your guests comfortable. Once you take care of the cleanliness, you will be one step closer to a nicer home.
2. Keep it organized & declutter regularly
The next step is organization. This one can be tricky, depending on the season of life you’re in. If you have kids, for example, it is not easy to always be perfectly organized but I believe that once you create a system that works for you, it will stick even during hard times. If you don’t have a system yet, just start somewhere. As one of my favorite YouTubers, Mrs. Midwest, says, make sure there is a home for everything in your house. Everything needs to have its’ place. When you are done using something, put it back where it belongs. Find a place for everything you have and if you can’t find a home for something, consider getting rid of it. This brings me to another aspect, which is decluttering. To have an organized and cozy home, you also need to declutter regularly. I go through everything we have on a regular basis, to make sure that unnecessary things do not take up space in my home. Doing this will greatly improve your organization.
3. Decorate
Once you are clean and organized, it’s time to think about decoration. Recently I have discovered the beauty of decorating your space. I used to enjoy minimalism but I have transitioned to a more balanced lifestyle and now I am embracing decorating my space. Decorating is an ancient and traditional practice. Looking back in history, women have always decorated their spaces in one way or another and I think that is beautiful. By doing this, you are adding a personal touch to your home and if done right, you can create a beautiful, cozy atmosphere according to your own style.
4. Use what you have
Using what you have is great. Not only do you not have to spend any money, but you also might find a new use for an old item. After decluttering and organizing, you are bound to end up with a few items that you are not sure about what to do with. I suggest, finding a new purpose for those items. Old containers can always be used to store something or maybe you find an old painting that you can improve and hang up somewhere or you might find something that you forgot about and can start using it again. Repurposing old items could be its’ own blog post. My point is before you go out buying lots of new items, take a look at what you already have and try to repurpose or rearrange them in a way that benefits your home.
5. Thrift
Thrifting has officially become my favorite type of shopping. There are so many benefits to shopping second-hand. Not only is it great for the environment, but it is a great alternative to fast fashion. And, my favorite part, it is great for people on a budget, especially if you are a homemaker trying to save money for your family. I am almost always able to find what I need from a thrift store. They have everything from clothes, to dishes, to furniture and it is so much cheaper than buying it new! Most of my kitchenware is thrifted. I personally like thrifted things way more than new ones because I can find vintage items that are not produced anymore. There is something special about finding items for your home in second-hand stores. This is a great way to find what you need for your home while staying on a budget.
6. Try to match
When you buy things for your home, make sure that you do not buy random things but items that match. It does not need to be perfect but all too often I have seen people display random things that do not match at all. If you do that purposefully and you like it that way, that is fine but I believe matching things, makes your space feel more comfortable and homey.
7. Have everything you need
Having everything you and your family need, is a great way to improve your home. This reminds me of my grandma, who always has everything that a person might need, on hand. Whether you need a bandaid, a tissue, or a pot for your plant you can be sure that my grandma has it. This does not mean that you have to go crazy and buy everything you see at a store but regularly check your inventory to make sure that your home is stocked with everything that might be needed. It’s the best feeling when someone comes to your home, is in need of something and you can help them on the spot.
8. Put your heart into it
I believe this is one of the most important, if not THE most important tip. Putting your heart into something makes a worlds’ difference! The same thing applies to food, by the way. When you do something from your heart, it will show. So make sure, that when you work on your home, you put your heart into it.
9. Make a space that is inviting
I admit, this tip, is a bit vague but I decided to include it because I believe that it is very important to consider when making a home. I believe that making your home inviting means creating a space where people want to be and where they feel comfortable. Of course, this is subjective to a degree but I also believe there can be an objectively cozy home that people feel drawn to. It is a space, that combines all of the aspects mentioned above. It is clean, organized, beautiful, cozy, calming, and has everything that is needed. When you put your heart and soul into creating a beautiful space, people will be able to tell.
10. Don’t overdo it
Lastly, remember to not overdo it. You do not need an excessive amount of things to make your home nicer. You also do not need to spend a crazy amount of money on new items. You do not need to be a germaphobe or a neat freak to have a clean and organized space and you do not need to have a picture-perfect home for it to be cozy and hospitable. Make sure to remain reasonable while improving your home.
Thank you for reading this far and I hope I was able to inspire you to make some changes.
Have fun nesting!
-Kate.
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