9 Inexpensive Ways to Make Your House a Home

There’s honestly nothing better than having my own home. A home that I’ve had the opportunity to perfectly curate into a space that welcomes me with sweet warmth and comfort like a hug from my inner soul. When days or nights at home start to feel like more of a treat than booze-soaked all nighters, then you too have probably nailed how to make your house a home. If you ask me (which you didn’t lol), our homes should be reflections of who we truly are at our core. From the colors, to the textures, to every object, large or small, your space should resonate with your spirit, making you feel at ease and inspired. Bottom line, I believe we’re all looking to reside in a home that embodies our personal style and that also gives us a space of peace to unwind in. So, let’s talk about some key ways to make it happen!

1. Start with Intention

Before you start redecorating, take a moment to reflect on how you want your home to feel. In what ways can you make your house your home. Do you crave a serene, minimalist space, or do you love vibrant, eclectic energy? Writing down your vision in a guided journal can help clarify your design goals. I’m hoping to purchase my own home sometime this year and I was absolutely floored when I found the journal, Mad About The House Planner. In addition to a journal, a mood board is another effective way to move all your thoughts into a more visual format. Pinterest has some ideas if you need inspiration. But, duh, we knew that already huh? lol

2. Choose Colors That Speak to You

Color has a powerful effect on mood and ambiance. Whether you’re drawn to calming neutrals or bold, energetic hues, your home should reflect what makes you feel most at peace. If you’re unsure where to start, try using peel-and-stick paint samples (these samples make testing colors easy) and add them to your mood board. Again, browsing on Pinterest is another great way to see how color combinations can work in a room. And to add to your mood board even more, getting pieces of fabric from a local fabric store, or even an online fabric store, can help inspire your furniture choices.

3. Incorporate Meaningful Decor

Filling your space with items that tell a story really help personalize and make your house your home. Family heirlooms, travel souvenirs, or art that speaks to your soul are great ways to get started. Wall art is an easy way to personalize a space, and I love finding unique prints for my walls and interesting pieces to sprinkle around my space. www.iamfy.co/ and bigwalldecor.com/ are two sites that I love getting funky art from.

4. Prioritize Comfort & Functionality

A home can be decorated from top to bottom and curated to be the kind of space that reflects you perfectly. But we have to remember that your space should also feel good to live in. Invest in cozy furniture that you just sink into at the end of a long day, and soft textiles that make you relax into another world. I put this faux fur throw on my baby registry twice and I promise, it is to die for! Also a stylish yet supportive accent chair can be a game changer or even a nice rug can make a big impact. OLANLY has area rugs you can purchase on amazon, and while they may not be extremely thick, they are super soft, warm and a great price.

5. Bring in Natural Elements

I am a true blue plant girly so I know first hand that adding plants and natural textures creates a grounded and inviting atmosphere. If you don’t have a green thumb, no worries! consider low-maintenance options like snake plants or even faux greenery. I know some people hate fake plants, but I think they’re better than killing plant after plant in attempts to liven your home up. I add fake plants to hard to reach areas and any rooms I’m not in as often. Fake plants are more expensive than real ones because of course they live forever lol, but there are faux ones that won’t break the bank, like this realistic looking hanging plant.

6. Light Up Your Space Intentionally

Lighting plays a huge role in setting the mood. Whether you prefer warm, ambient lighting or bright, natural light, or a mixture of both depending on the time of day, choose fixtures that complement your style. A set of dimmable smart bulbs allows you to create the perfect atmosphere at any time of day, but also consider the natural light from windows and let that inform the kind of dressings you adorn your windows with.

7. Personalize Your Space with Scent

Scent is often overlooked, but it can completely transform how a home feels. Essential oil diffusers that look like pretty decor or soy candles (these have the best natural fragrances) can make your home feel more inviting and uniquely yours. Finding a candle making class allows for custom scents and i personally also love the smell of incense. Nag Champa isn’t for everyone but there are benefits to it and it’s a classic for me!

8. Declutter with Purpose

An authentic home isn’t filled with clutter, in actuality it’s curated with intention. Clutter is also known to have adverse effects on your mental state. Clutter can increase stress and anxiety and can decrease your ability to focus. So If you have items that no longer serve you, consider donating or repurposing them. Clear your space of anything that takes up space and has no purpose and doesn’t make you feel happy. For things you don’t want to get rid of but also don’t need sitting out in the open, consider using stylish storage solutions. Items like decorative baskets or intentional storage solutions help keep your space tidy while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Tip: Don’t be afraid of thinking outside of the box. Things like old trunks can also be used to hide things away.

9. Create a Space for Reflection & Creativity

Go ahead and transform a home office or spare room into your little personal zen escape. Maybe add a murphy bed to a guest room so you can move it easily out of the way when it’s empty for crafts, music or yoga. Go crazy with creativity and curate your little cave! I do know, however, that realistically we don’t all have the luxury of designating an entire room in our homes to ourselves, so maybe it’s just a cozy reading nook, or a meditation corner that sparks inspiration! Whichever you decide, take the time to designate a space that fuels your passions.

Before You Go…

Above all, designing a home that reflects your true self means trusting your instincts. Forget trends and focus on what feels right for you when making your house your home. At the end of the day – well the end of every day, your home needs to be your sanctuary. A safe place where you can unwind, kick off your shoes, chill, study, work, raise a family and even possibly entertain. So don’t listen to what anyone else says your home should look like. If a piece or design choice makes you happy, it belongs in your home… simple as that! I know I’m new to blogging, but hopefully this post can act as a jump off point for you.

Please don’t forget to comment below anything you’d like to add! Did you try any of my suggestions? Let’s talk about it! My ultimate goal here is to create community through conversation!

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