Making a Home

– Words by Lifestyle Staff

No matter how big, small, elaborate, or modest a home is, the feeling of being connected emotionally with a deep sense of belonging is how people find the most meaning. Local wife, mom, and business owner Karol Anderson shares that although she prefers her home to be clean and organized, she realizes that creating an environment that evokes comfort is the most important. A home is typically a place of refuge. It’s where significant memories are built with friends and family and where one can truly be themselves. It’s where parents aim to provide stability, comfort, and connection with their children; planting these roots will lay the foundation for them to build deep relationships over time.

We may equate home with the feeling we have when we walk in the door—feeling welcomed to come “recharge” after a long day away. Adding personalized touches to your entry can create an immediate warmth and comfort. For some, that could mean a scenic piece of art reminiscent of a favorite vacation. For others, it could be seeing hints of family around the entry, like the sight of small sneakers or a cherished hat on a hook.

Living spaces can have a big impact on our social and psychological well being. Everything from color schemes to home decor to textures can affect your mood and liveliness. Creating coziness and warmth for your family to find reprieve can improve mental health. Keep plush throw blankets on hand to snuggle with on the couch during movie night, or add a comfortable oversized chair to sink into with a book in hand. Karol agrees and aims to prioritize these elements in her own home. “I’ve come to appreciate that less is truly more and to prioritize comfort over trends. Filling our home with personal elements such as our family photos creates feelings of warmth for our family.”

– Peter Buffet

For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home—it’s where we gather at the beginning and end of the day. It’s where we spend our time cooking, eating, and socializing together. It’s the lifeline for some families and the time spent in this space can nurture a healthy lifestyle. The smell of freshly baked bread trailing through the house or setting out nutritious snacks when your kids get home from school will create positive memories for your family. You can incorporate more bonding opportunities by having each child assist with preparing their favorite meal throughout the week. The kitchen ties a family together no matter how busy the day to day is. For Karol’s family, this space is where they spend the most time together over a warm meal, sharing about their days, typically filled with sports and other activities. “No matter how busy we are, we somehow manage to gather in the kitchen around food. We have a family tradition of eating a hearty dinner together every Sunday, while catching up on the week’s events and planning out the next.”

For most of us, a home isn’t about the structure itself; its meaning and strength comes from the memories created. Allow your heart to take the lead when creating spaces in your home. In the process, you will find that what matters most is the people who fill it and how they feel when they are in your home.

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