Pinterest and Instagram
As Steve and I quickly approach the day we become “empty-nesters”, my dreams of downsizing and building a smaller home become more and more vivid. I have even started looking for lots and have created a future home vision board. I probably spend too much time looking at home styling and architecture sites on Pinterest and Instagram. Truth be told, I love looking at ways to change, upgrade, and organize my surroundings. Don’t get me wrong, I love my home. I cherish the memories we have made, the friendships developed, and the gardens grown. Still, until the kids have flown the coup, it is important to find ways to hold on to the “love connection” I have with my home, to be grateful for what we have, while at the same time continuing to create the perfect space where we live out NOW life. So without further ado, here are 5 easy ways to help you love your home
Find the little things
Since Valentine’s Day is this week, add a little love to you lie by finding what you LOVE about your home. It doesn’t have to be a perfectly put together room, it can be little things. Like the way the light enters your curtains, or the permanent marker from the kids art project forever scribbled on the kitchen table. Walk through your house today and pause to really reflect on things you can and do love about your home. Stop and think of memories shared in that room or around that table. Find the little things you love about spaces in your home even if they are in the midst of imperfections.
Declutter
After you your gratitude challenge, start looking for areas of your home that are making you unhappy because of clutter and start getting them under control. What area of your home comes to mind when you think of clutter – a closet, paper clutter, pantry, kitchen cabinets? Choose an area to conquer. Then think about how you feel about that space afterwards? If that space makes you happier with your home then let that be a challenge to you to continue to tackle other areas.
Less is More
“A clean enough house empowers us to be more while doing less to stay ahead of the chaos”. Clear off the horizontal surfaces in your home and then strive to keep them clean. If tackling the surfaces in the whole house seems daunting, start small and clean one room or one area at a time. Keep the idea of “less is more” and reduce the clutter that your eyes see. Empty and clean spaces are more appealing and help you love your home more.
Mother Nature
One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to make a simple update and spruce up your home and décor is to welcome Mother Nature into your home. That can be in the form of fresh flowers or potted plants. Flowers and plants add greenery and texture to your home and they are good for the air too.
Fill your home with Music
The kind of music that fills your home should be inspiring and or relaxing to you. Music can be calming, relaxing, comforting, and motivating. So think about what the background noise is in your home. Make music a priority or even make a playlist of some of your favorite songs and play it often. See if it changes the mood and atmosphere in your home.
Loving your home begins with creating the home of your dreams right where you are. Remember to approach each day with gratitude, add some music, a touch of nature, and address simple challenges like clutter and cleanliness. This Valentine’s Day, fall in love with the home you have and not the one on your Instagram page or Pinterest board.
