Jan 06, 2022

Create a More Meaningful Home

We are spending more time at home than ever before. Home is a refuge, a comfort. Home is where we sleep, eat, relax, and work. Given all the hours we spend here, how can we create more meaningful spaces?

Let’s start with a purge. Clutter can cause stress. Do you tense up at the rarely worn clothes spilling out of your closet, overstuffed drawers of junk, and boxes of “who knows what” stacked in the garage? Take the time to systematically go through your closets, drawers, garage, and other spaces to remove the things you don’t need. Find local organizations that accept donations for those items that are still in good shape, or sell them on Craigslist. You will feel lighter and calmer with less.

During that process, you may have found some special possessions — perhaps art or décor you had forgotten about. Make space for those special pieces out in the open. And assess the other artwork and accessories that are currently displayed throughout your home. Do they bring you joy? Are they too generic? Do they mean something to you?

It’s perfectly normal to outgrow your décor and change your tastes. Decide whether it’s time to upgrade tired furniture, or switch out furniture that doesn’t feel like you anymore. Rather than scroll Wayfair, take a look at Craigslist or local antique or vintage shops for unique items that need a second life. Plus, it’s always fun to be able to tell a story about the furniture in your home.

How does your home work for you? Do you want a nook for reading? How about a built-in desk for remote work and homework? Maybe you need more bookshelves or racks to hang your bikes in the garage. Make every space functional.

One last note: eat on the good china, light candles at night, use soap you usually reserve for guests, and make every day a meaningful one.