Simple tips to create a happy and inviting home.
With our constantly busy schedules, I try to keep things real in our home. Being organized and having a plan for each day keeps things easy and makes for a happy home. Our house is large, but it’s not stuffy. I think that’s why when people walk in they always comment that as big as our house is, it really feels home-y. To me that is the ultimate complement. To have people walk in and instantly feel comfortable; having them feel at home makes entertaining that much more fun and makes us love our house even more.
Here are 5 easy ways to create a happy home.
Keep things simple. Our house is a home. It’s not overly stuffy and we don’t have a lot of fragile things out, so I’m not constantly worrying about Little A or other kids breaking something. I’m very much a minimalist when it comes to decorating and don’t mind having empty space (my mother cringes at the thought of an empty corner). Less to dust and clean means more time for us as a family.
Have a few investment pieces. While we don’t have fine china just yet (I would like to inherit my grandmother’s) we have a few nice pieces of serve ware and crystal glasses. When we do host holidays or more formal gatherings, it feels good to be able to serve food and drinks using our nicer pieces. The rest of the time we use our Fiesta Ware (still love it 5 years later) for easy cleaning and durability.
Always have wine on hand. We are big wine drinkers so having wine on hand is a no brainer for us, but it’s always good to have a least 1 bottle of red and 1 bottle of white on hand. Should unexpected company come over you can easily offer them a drink. Or at the end of a long day it’s nice to have a glass of wine while you share the happenings of your day.
Have a plan. Having a weekly plan and scheduling activities all the way down to what workouts we’re doing on what days keeps us happy and organized. If I forget something it’s almost always written down in my planner or on our fridge calendar for easy reference. Being organized and having a plan keeps things simple and makes us all feel less stressed.
Appreciate don’t criticize. For us, our home is the happiest when K and I are in alignment and really just loving each other. When we encourage, support and show our appreciation for one another is when we are truly happy.
What advice do you have for creating a happy home?
I’m all about keeping things simple too and would much rather have an empty corner than clutter 🙂 And yes to the wine on hand!
I’m breaking one of your rules right now – we dont have any wine in the house…ahh! Will remedy immediately! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I think when people walk into our home, they notice the hundred million toys for Sophie all over the house.
I definitely agree on your last point. I think Kyle and I are our happiest when we’re together with Sophie just hanging out.
Besides keeping it clean and clutter free I think what helps the most is trying to relax in your home, certainly trying to maintain a clean home, but not stressing out over the little things in keeping it clean helps.
liz @ sundays with sophie
Another reason we’re twins – our homes sound exactly alike! We always have wine, I’m a super-minimalist, nothing is so expensive it couldn’t be replaced (except I’ve already inherited my great-grandmother’s fine bone china – so I guess that’s qualifies). I think all of these tips are excellent, and make our home so comfortable!
Absolutely agree!
We LOVE our Fiestaware. I actually love the thought of entertaining with it because it’s so versatile.
Ditto on having wine handy. We’re big wine drinkers, too.
A glass of wine is a great way to welcome someone. I think a happy home comes from genuinely happy people. 🙂
Wine – a given! A white is always chillin in the fridge. A red on hand in the bar. I agree, less is best in the home when it comes to furnishings. Especially with small children around. I always said, “it wasn’t ours we worried about, it was everyone elses.” Couples being aligned, SO TRUE and said perfectly. I’ve been married almost 28 years and that is by far the most important thing.
Exactly! My daughter is pretty careful, but when we have her “boyfriends” over, things get a little crazy, haha!
28 years, that’s fantastic Michelle!
I love all of these, Tiffany!! Especially having wine on hand. In my ideal home I would have a wine room with racks of wine, champagne, etc. We are clearly huge wine drinkers here and I HUGELY miss it. I love the last point too 🙂 I think your home should always be your safe place… it’s so important.
Great tips my friend!
I’m a minimalist too. I hate it when things are too cluttered. Like you said… the less there is, the less there is to clean.
Wine… yes!
We have Fiesta dishes too. I have 12 place settings – each a different colour and we use it every day. It’s my favourite!
Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Enjoyed this so much. I’ll be sharing it in tomorrow’s newsletter.
Have a great weekend Tiffany!
xoxo
I am so with you on the minimalist approach! Both me and my husband love the minimalist look because both of our moms have homes that have tons of stuff in them. We like the open feel, like we can breathe better! I really liked these tips, I think you hit the nail on the head. Also, Little A is amazing, a 6 mile hike?! She is awesome and also lucky to have parents that take her out so much, I need to do more of that!
Wonderful tips! I really want to become a minimalist. It’s truly a dream of mine. Right now I’m more of a hoarder :).
I think your last point is the best – being appreciative. Being grateful, encouraging, and supportive. Great tips! Thanks for hosting! – Jess
http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
My favorite tip: Appreciate, don’t criticize.
I was just thinking about this last night. Sometimes we can get so bogged down by life, and stressed, and take it out on family. Or sometimes it really is that we get on each other’s nerves. But last night I had this revelation that we need to always remind ourselves of our love and appreciation for each other in the family before opening up our mouths. Sometimes we forget to appreciate one another and take each other for granted.
Thanks for the good reminder Tiffany!
These are so simple yet so practical! I love that you say your house is big but not stuffy. I’d love my home to be a place people walk in and immediately feel comfortable and welcome too. Since we’re in a season of young kids I’m trying to figure out kid friendly decorating. And yes, always the wine! Good idea!!!
This is a great list! We moved into our house two years ago and we sill have NO furniture in our ‘formal’ living area… and we dont really care. The kids run around in there and have nerf battles and we know we wouldnt sti in there anyway. haha
We didn’t have anything in there for a long time either. Most of it is my mom’s doing, haha!
Thank you so much for this post… it is very good advice! Have a blessed weekend. ~Sarah (visiting from Radical Femininity)
Great tips, we’re getting there! Having bought a rather large project last summer it’s slow going, but other than kids toys definitely on the minimalist side… Mainly as we’ve not unpacked! And, wine, absolutely!
These are great Tiffany 🙂 We just inherited Kevin’s grandpa’s (and grandma’s) china and it’s beautiful. I’m glad Kevin convinced me to not register for it now. I can’t wait to use it! And yes, wine in stock! I was so proud of Kevin for getting some for me 🙂 Now I have some for when people come over! Or for me to drink during The Bachelorette :-p