We all want to live in a space that feels comfortable, safe, and wholesome. Admittedly, this was was pretty easy when I was single because all I had to account for was my own perspectives and preferences. But, when I became a mom, everything changed. My space wasn’t mine anymore (in good and bad ways haha!), but it also meant that I had to be intentional about creating a happy and healthy home environment.
After focusing on intuitive design (and after creating a full-blown homeschool in my two-bedroom home during the crazy health crisis of 2020!) I would say that I know a thing or two about making a house feel like a home.
Here are some steps to making your space more intentional:
Step 1: Focus On Safety
Safety is really important, regardless of where you live or how ‘calm’ your neighborhood may feel. While I wouldn’t tell you to go overboard with the latest and greatest equipment (unless you want to, of course!), there’s something to be said for having some quality safety measures in place.
Video doorbells, surveillance cameras, and motion sense lighting can all help to put you at ease. You may also want to consider the internal dangers, especially if you have younger children. Whether it’s childproofing the home or something as simple as adding smoke detectors, you will find that taking the time to make your home safer delivers peace of mind (and honestly, better sleep, too!).
Step 2: Do A Deep Clean
Whether you live in a compact property or a large home, cleanliness is king! There are so many places you can seek services from; for example, experts at Massey’s Chem-Dry can restore your interior spaces to their former glory. This can save you from expensive jobs like adding new carpets to all rooms. It’s also a far more convenient!
Along with deep cleaning, consider decluttering, too. Organize items, sell or give away toys, clothes, and knickknacks you don’t really use or care about, and streamline your storage to save space.
Step 3: Make More Of Outside Spaces
The external parts of your home are just as important as the internal ones!
Professional landscaping can be a great option if you do not have the time or inspiration to do it yourself. You can also look at connecting internal and external spaces to make a versatile living area. This will add a whole new dimension to your home lives, while also maximizing the overall layout of your home.
Step 4: Embrace Your Story
Your family’s story is what makes a house become a home. This is something I quickly realized in becoming a bonus mom—it was our unique story (expressed through pictures, art, décor, and intentional design) that made our space feel like ours.
A little personality goes a long way to turning your dream home into a reality.
Honestly, take the time to add family photos or items that hold sentimental value. You will find that this is what separates your property from every other house on the market. Similarly, color schemes and other seemingly small features can have a huge impact on the overall look of the home. Don’t be afraid to try new things or even ask your child(ren) for their input, too! This way everyone can be a part of the design.
Step 5: Go Green
Especially with respect to the changes over the past few years, more and more families are making the ‘greener lifestyle’ a priority. Thankfully, there are so many was you can do this (without burning a hole in your pocket!). For example, you may want to consider solar, double-glazing, or changing your roofing. The experts at Pine Roofing Services can help you change your roof so that you’re lowering overall energy costs without compromising on quality.
Other things you can do are adapting your shower heads/shower pressure, investing in low-flush toilets, using energy-efficient electric goods, and opting for LED or self-timer lights. These are all tiny, but powerful shifts you can make to save money, time, and (of course) energy!
If you follow this list, you’ll start making your home feel happier, healthier, and most importantly, yours!