What does the meaning "Home" mean to you? When you say you're going home does that mean to your house or your parents house? A home by definition is a safe haven, a place where you feel most comfortable, where you have made many memories and plan to make more, and where you're surrounded by cherished people and possessions.
When I first moved out on my own, I referred to my apartment and my parents house as "home". When I was out late with friends and said, "it's time for me to go home," I was referring to my apartment. When I'd say "I miss home," I really meant I miss my family and the place where I grew up. Home is where the heart is.
It's important to make the place you live feel cosy and warm and permanent, even if its just an apartment. Do you ever secretly wish your home was as beautiful as the homes in design magazines, or as your friends down the street? Or look around and think I don't have enough space to make this place beautiful? I'm here to tell you it is entirely possible to make your space beautiful and 100% within your control and budget.
Now, during this crazy time, when we are all bound to our homes and quarantined to our spaces, is the perfect time to get to all those little projects you've been meaning to get to. It's time to put away those winter clothes and pull out your summer wardrobe, to hang those curtains that you've been meaning to get around to, to organize your cupboards, or to do that big spring clean that you've been putting off.
Your home should be comfortable and cosy to you, but inviting for guests too. A home is not a home without personal touches, material and immaterial - photographs of your loved ones, plants to add life to a room, candles to freshen your space, and memories of good times you've shared with family and friends. It doesn't matter whether you live in a big house or a studio apartment, take pride in where you live. Keep it clean and tidy so others will feel comfortable spending time there too!
Growing up my friends would tell me "I love coming over to your house. It smells like Tide laundry detergent and flowers!" My mother always kept the house clean. Everything had its place. She had her towels folded a certain way in the linen closet, the cupboards arranged just so, beds were always made, the gardens were always impeccable, and there were always gifts in her "gift closet" so you never had to go to a short notice dinner or birthday party empty handed. With six kids in and out of the house, the laundry was always going and something was always cooking. Today, I do my best to emulate that sense of "home" following her rule of thumb. Keep everything in its place, organized, neat and tidy.
I love keeping scented candles and fresh flowers in every room of the house. I too, like my towels and throws folded in a certain way, and to keep countertops and sinks free of clutter. It's important to have everything in its place, dusted, tufted, vacuumed and mopped, and smelling fresh.
When guests come over, make sure the fridge and toilet paper rolls are full, hand towels are clean, music is playing, candles are lit, and coasters are within reach. If you can stay organized and keep your house clean, with these simple tips you can rest assured your friends and family will love coming by to make themselves at "home" to share in good times and make lasting memories.
Write me to tell me how you make your space feel like "home"!
X,
Jess
Comments