Creating A Happy Home

You know those homes that you walk into and they feel like they could’ve been on an episode of Fixer Upper after Joanna Gaines works her magic? I’m not talking about the decor, I’m talking about that homey feeling that you get–bursting with warmth, inviting to everyone, and just overall happy. That’s the kind of house I knew I wanted us to have as a married couple and that’s the kind of home we work to achieve.

We’ve been in our house for a year and a half now, and while there are still some things that look a little unfinished, we’re so happy with the way that it’s coming together. What’s more, we’re happy with the overall vibe and the way that our home makes us feel. I did my best to capture those feelings into images and found a few common ideas that work to create a happy home. Let me know if you agree or if there’s something else that helps you achieve a happy living space.

Always Something Good To Eat

I think it goes without saying that food is a key component to any household. I get nostalgic thinking about my own childhood and the smells I associate with meal time: homemade calzones, Granny’s rolls rising next to a fire, my mom’s chocolate sauce recipe drizzled over vanilla ice cream. For Brandon and I, every meal looks a little different but of course, we have our tried and true favorites. I love whipping up this recipe for homemade chocolate chip cookies and the smell that it gives to the house. You can see all of our recipe favorites here on Pinterest.

Comfortable Seating

Pillows, throw blankets, and a great couch are necessities for us. Brandon and I love to pile on our couch with a good Netflix show (see our favorites here) and we often find ourselves eating dinner on the couch to unwind. Making a space feel comfortable is easy to achieve in my book. A throw blanket, seasonal pillows that you can change out, and a clean living space can go a long way.

Memories On Display

One thing that makes me so happy is our collection of pictures. Moments from the blog printed out, and even our wedding albums on display are so much fun to flip through. Every single time I look at our album, it brings a smile to my face. I cherish all of our moments together, big and small, and pictures are a great way to add personal touches to your life.

Easy Work Space

As a teacher, I’m off during the summer months and love that time so much. Home becomes my “blog office” and I find myself needing a functional work space. Even once the school year starts, I spend a lot of weekends working at the house, whether I’m grading papers or writing up the next week’s blog post. Make sure that your home has an area that can double as a work space. For me, the kitchen table works nicely and it’s great to feel comfortable when you need to bring work home.

Good Conversation, Laughter, Love

The most important element for any house to feel like a home: love. As cheesy as it sounds, the home is for relationships. Your family needs conversation, laughter, and a warmth of love in life and the home is the place for that to flourish. For us, we also make a conscious decision to fill our home with the word of the Lord. The Bible even says: “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:25). The element of having a Christian home is our number one priority and with that, comes the love, laughter, and conversation.

Anything That Brings A Smile To Your Face

So much of what makes a happy home is non-materialistic and we love that. There are a few actual “items” though that just put a smile on our faces. The main one is an arrangement of fresh flowers. For Brandon, it’s an orchid; for me, it’s cut flowers like peonies, garden roses, and even tulips. They are something that brings pure joy, color, and freshness to the house. Find your “item” that brings that same joy and allow yourself a pick me up when you look at it.