If you've been following my blog lately, you know that we just purchased our first home! We are so thankful, and feel so blessed. One of my favorite things about this whole process has been the decorating! I'm no HGTV pro, but I think I've got a little knack for it, and I really enjoy it. Even though I've always been into home décor, there's something special about doing it in a house that you own. Putting little finishing touches here and there make the place not just feel like home.....but feel like OUR home. I wanted to highlight a few of the things that help me accomplish this that anyone can do in their own homes no matter what type of space they're working with, because the things on this list are not things about the house itself that I love, (although there are many!) but things I've put in the house, and sometimes things I've left out, that make it homey.
1. Floor Lamp
Lamps are a quick and easy way to warm up any space! Whether it's a table lamp, a floor lamp, or a lighting fixture that mounts on the wall or hangs from the ceiling, light = warmth, and warm = cozy and comfortable. We have one in our living room that I just adore. It's a functional piece of art....can't go wrong with that!
2. Kitchen Canisters
In my kitchen I have 4 canisters that adorn my counter. As my husband and I are both of French descent, our home has French things all over it in one form or another. This is one place where we've chosen to showcase our love of French language and culture. The four canisters hold flour, sugar, tea, and salt. Each of these is written on the canisters in French. We didn't buy them this way - we first found canisters that we liked that matched our kitchen, and then ordered vinyl decals to apply to them - parfait!
3. Candles
I know this is cliché, but....I LOVE candles! Lighting a candle fills the whole house with a warm, inviting scent and makes it feel like home! The fun thing about candles is that you can switch up colors and scents to go with any style of décor or even with the changing seasons. Funny thing about me, is that I do NOT like candles that smell like food.....I know....I'm in the minority on this one! I love a good candle, but one of my all time favorites, is Autumn Walk by Gold Canyon. It is like homey comfortable cozy goodness in a jar!
4. Area Rug
Area rugs are great! You can use them as accents, or as a way to define space within or between rooms. Be careful to choose a rug that is the right size for your particular space - take it from a girl who bought a rug that was waaaaay too big, and had to exchange it for one that actually fit! A nice rug can really tie a room together, or, depending on your décor, be the focal point of a whole room. And, aside from looking nice, they feel good on your feet!
5. Throw Pillows
I mean....c'mon....who doesn't love pillows?! They add instant character and warmth to any space. You can change the whole feel of a room just by switching out your throw pillows, and even change them seasonally if you like!
6. Extra Towels
Seriously......we bought so many towels when we moved in!!!! Not because we needed them, we just loved having bathrooms stocked with shelves of nicely folded, color coordinated, big, fluffy towels! Bathroom shelves are for more than just mouthwash, hair spray and deodorant.....throw that stuff in a drawer and put some nice, soft towels on display instead!
7. My Tea Kettle
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a coffee drinker - I'm all about hot tea! Once in awhile, I switch it up with some hot chocolate or chai (which is technically tea underneath all that milk and all those spices!), but generally - it's tea. My tea kettle is always out on my stovetop, whether it's simmering away or not, just seeing it there helps make my kitchen look warm and inviting. I'm always ready to make a cup of tea for a visitor, so come on over!
8. Wall Decor
This is kind of a given, but.....sprucing up your walls is a surefire way to beautify your home and help you enjoy your living space. In our home, we love words and writing......we have it on pillows, wall hanging, canisters.....and yes, on the walls themselves. I am a huge fan of vinyl decals and love the versatility they offer. You can have virtually any word, phrase, or picture put directly on your wall. They are easy to apply, easy to remove, and an inexpensive way to achieve a really classy look. Choose something that inspires you or encourages you....something that you won't get tired of seeing everyday. Off the top of my head, I can think of only 2 rooms in my house that don't have writing in them in some form or another - and I wouldn't have it any other way.
9. Fresh Flowers
Remember that line in the movie, The Proposal, when Sandra Bullock says that she doesn't like flowers in the house because they remind her of funerals? Well.....love that movie, and love Sandra, but....I couldn't disagree more! I LOVE having fresh flowers in the house! I always keep a vase of fresh flowers on my dining room table - usually daises or sunflowers, and usually yellow or white. Fresh flowers add so much brightness to a room, and they are gorgeous to look at! They bring a little bit of the outside, inside.
10. No TV in the Bedroom
Yup. You read that correctly. It may be unconventional, but in all of our married life (11 years and counting!) we have purposely never had a TV in our bedroom. It was a decision we made before we got married. We like to use our bedroom for other things and as a place to relax, read, talk, and focus on each other - not on a TV screen. Now, this doesn't mean that I don't occasionally take my laptop to bed to watch something on Netflix, but the focal point of our bedroom isn't a TV screen, and I love that!
So, there you have it - my list! Wanna see these items in person? Well.....you'll have to come to the housewarming party for that! But I do hope this list gives you some ideas about how to put some of your own personal touches on your home to make it warm, comfortable, and inviting - not just for guests, but for you as well. Bottom line - do what makes you feel most comfortable in your home. After all.....you're the one that has to live there!
Got any other ideas to add to the list? Leave a comment and let me know - I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time, be well, my friends!
So, there you have it - my list! Wanna see these items in person? Well.....you'll have to come to the housewarming party for that! But I do hope this list gives you some ideas about how to put some of your own personal touches on your home to make it warm, comfortable, and inviting - not just for guests, but for you as well. Bottom line - do what makes you feel most comfortable in your home. After all.....you're the one that has to live there!
Got any other ideas to add to the list? Leave a comment and let me know - I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time, be well, my friends!