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Create a list of words to describe how you want your home to feel
I made a quick list of words to describe how I want my home to feel this year. Don’t overthink it or worry about decor or design style, just jot down what comes to mind. These are the words I came up with, and they will be my guide as I make thoughtful changes to my home this year:- Cozy (of course cozy made the list!)
- Fresh
- Calm
- Clean
- Inspiring
- Soft
- Uncluttered
- Airy
- Comfortable
- Relaxing
- Happy
- Organized
- Soothing
- Pretty
Declutter
The first step for me in creating a nurturing home was to declutter. My home was feeling so chaotic, with certain spaces being more problematic than others. I just had way too much stuff, and it was becoming an overwhelming burden to care for it all. I still have a way to go in the decluttering process, but I’ve made significant progress in many areas of my home. I think we are up to 4 or 5 van loads of donations, and countless bins filled with recycles. It can be hard for me to let go of my things. Maybe for you, too? There are a lot of reasons for this – emotions, guilt, fear, etc. Right? I mean, what kind of a mother throws away her child’s preschool finger painting? Or, you never know when you might need that green leprechaun hat with an attached red wig. These thoughts can sabotage the decluttering process for sure. I’ve been keeping the words from my list in mind, and also focusing on the end result I want to achieve. I can then make the choice to let go of those things that aren’t helping me to achieve my goal. For me, a cluttered home is anxiety provoking, and the opposite of the nurturing space I want to create. One of my favorite Christmas presents this year was the book Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith. On Christmas day, I curled up in bed and read it from cover to cover. It was exactly what I needed. While a minimal look can be beautiful, artful and serene, I personally love a little bit more stuff. You may be familiar with Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and while many love this book, I personally found it a bit too extreme. Myquillyn’s Cozy Minimal approach is a bit softer and attainable. If you are looking to create a cozy, stylish space with less stuff, I highly recommend her book.
Clean
With the clutter out of the way, cleaning becomes a much easier, and even enjoyable, task. Cleaning doesn’t need to be an all or nothing ordeal. Even a simple daily routine can make a huge difference. My mom always said that if you do the dishes and make the beds, no one will notice a little dust. Wise words. Wiping down my kitchen counters takes just a few minutes without mail, phones, school work all over them. Vacuuming is less time consuming with the floors clear of extra clutter in the way. I even got a new vacuum cleaner that I love. My brother and sister-in-law have a spotless home with 6 cats and a very furry dog. They recommended it, so I knew it must be good. Using cleaning products that actually work but also smell great is a must for me. Mrs. Meyer’s is my favorite and I love the basil scent. To me, it smells nothing like basil, but is wonderful nonetheless. The whole house smells fresh and delightful. As I explain below, a nurturing home considers all of our senses.
Add Texture and Soft Layers
I’m adding lots of softness to every space in my home. I switched out the bedding and added cozy quilts and the softest, creamy white duvet. I love pillows, but I am trying to limit the number I use. Emphasis on trying. Don’t forget texture – baskets, jute or sisal rugs, weathered wood, etc.
Flannel Ruffle Duvet Cover | Carolina Patchwork Shams | Pick-stitch Quilt and Shams | Beadboard Night Stand
Use Soothing Colors
For me, a nurturing color palette includes lots of soft neutrals. Creamy whites, soft and warm grays, linen, blush, and watery blues and greens. You may prefer colors with more energy, just pick what feels good to you. I decorated with a lot of red at Christmas time, and while I loved it, I could not live with such an energetic color year round. In her book, Myquillyn advises “quieting” a room by removing everything but the largest pieces to see the space with a fresh perspective. I’m beginning to do that in my den, and have removed much of the decor and clutter. Already it feels so much more soothing to me. I plan to live with this more minimal look for a bit.
Senses
Consider all 5 senses when adding comfort to your home. I love candles for both the fragrance and warm soft glow. An herbal candle with a clean, fresh scent is perfect for the kitchen.
Consider playing calm, soft music or whatever relaxes you. Bring in elements from nature. Keep fresh baked goods or seasonal foods available to enjoy.
Here are a few other simple ideas for creating a home that nurtures:
- A bowl of fresh fruit on the counter
- Soft and fragrant white towels (this is my favorite laundry fragrance)
- A bottle of water at the bedside
- Soft music
- Open windows on a warm day
- Clean and crisp white sheets
- A cozy bathrobe and slippers
- Framed photos of friends and family
Creative Cain Cabin | Finding Silver Pennies | Duke Manor Farm
Just love everything about this post and photos. It was such a joy reading today.
Lovely! The pictures in this post reflect all the words in your “list” beautifully. May 2019 be a great year for you and your family.
Your colours are dreamy! Like you I think the Kondo mehodology would be too much for me, but the one thing we always have near the front door is a large bag or small box. Into that goes books I have read (i’m not a keeper of books because there are too many out there and at my age…..!). Clothes straight off the line or out of the dryer if we are not going to use them again. Presents from folk who never visit, so will not have their hearts broken. When full, bag or box goes straight to the charity shop. I call this a triple-win situation 1) we get rid. 2) the chosen charity gets the takings from sales. 3) someone gets a bargain or something they could not have afforded otherwise.
We really don’t need half the stuff we all own, do we? Room to think, room to breathe, room to relax and enjoy life is what you and I are aiming for Susan. Hope this new year will be quiet, heartache free, and just what you want and need.
Perfect list, what a great way to organize by knowing the feelings you want to convey in your home. I love having focus, it just helps me so much. Thank you for sharing this!
Great ideas, Susan! I agree with de-cluttering first. My mom always said she couldn’t relax until the house was put in order. I now understand what she meant. 🙂 And you’re so right to put Senses on the list. It’s amazing what a candle can do to lift spirits – or the whiff of citrus in the kitchen. It’s all in the details!
Oooooh, I love all your tips. Decluttering is high on my list. All week I wanted to start going through drawers. Fingers crossed I get to it this week 🙂
This is one of those posts that inspires you to take action at the beginning of the year and prepare your home to be your cozy oasis all year long. The colors you’ve picked are so dreamy and relaxing. I would just like to add that a warm rug can add so much depth and texture to space along with the pillows and cozy throws. Of course, soothing candles are the inevitable part too. All the adjectives you’ve used to describe how you want to feel in your home this year are exactly how I want to feel in my home too, so thank you for sharing all these useful tips! I’ve taken so much from this post!
great ideas to start the new year off in a fresh way. I just want to take a nap in your bed! it looks so cozy. happy new year!
I love that you shared your list of what’s important in your home. It’s an inspiration for me to start my own list – thank you for sharing that. I haven’t tried Mrs. Meyers Basil scent and need to do so. Your home always looks inviting with the textures and colors you bring in. This post was no exception and I so enjoyed it. I am glad you took time off over the holidays to tend to not just your family but yourself is well. My thoughts are with you in the loss of your mother.
What paint color is on the walls in the bedroom and the den? (I think you referred to it as the den…) Thanks!
Thanks, Heather. The master bedroom color is Classic Gray and the den color is Balboa Mist. Both by Benjamin Moore. Susan
Your home is just dreamy!! All the soft colors, and the sunshine! It’s my first visit here but it won’t be my last, that’s for sure!
Thank you so much, Debbie! I’m so happy you stopped by. Susan