Home is where the heart is. The space we create and maintain is the foundation of our lives, setting the tone for our days, relationships, and memories. Here are some of my favorite philosophies to live by when it comes to keeping a home. They have remained true for me from my Uptown Dallas studio apartment, to my first home in the burbs, and everything in between. What would you add to the list?! Drop in the comments below! xo 

Let lamps light your home.
Ambiance lighting > overhead lighting, always. Also, fun fact: it’s better for our circadian rhythm to use lamps after sunset. 

Play in your kitchen.
Cook. Experiment. Make dinners and snacks and treats. Getting your hands dirty in the kitchen and creating food people love is a great way to bring people together in your space.

Set the table. 
There is no better day than today for a beautiful table. 

Use the pretty dishes. 
Same thing here. What are we waiting for?? If we have them, why wouldn’t we use them?

Invite people over. 
Make memories in the space as quickly and often as possible. There’s nothing like a home with walls that hold stories of dinners and afternoons past. 

Don’t wait until it’s “perfect.”
Surprise, surprise, there is no such thing as a perfect or finished home. There will always be another idea, project, or repair. Don’t wait to invite others in. Whether it’s a studio apartment or a 5-bedroom home, the fact it’s yours is cozy and beautiful enough.

Decorate with joy.
Fill the space with pieces that inspire you, fill you with joy, or fit into the life you are building. Our space impacts our creativity so much—our home gets to be an extension of it. 

Don’t be afraid to change things.
This is your space. There are 100 ways you could arrange each room. Don’t stop after trying one version of it. The details and small shifts bring everything together, no matter how much space or budget you have.

Find what organization system works for you.
It doesn’t have to be copied straight from Pinterest or the Container Store. But finding some kind of system for your drawers, closets, etc. will make day-to-day rhythms much easier and stress-free. 

Speaking of rhythms—explore rhythms for laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc. 
Laundry is always going to be coming around the corner. May we not be overwhelmed by it (at least not every time, ha!).

Edit out the clutter. 
We need so much less than we think… and the excess adds stress our body subconsciously absorbs. 

Overhaul closets bit by bit. 
Feeling stressed by where to begin with organizing, purging, or straightening up? Go bit by bit. Set a timer for 20 minutes and see how far you get in one closet. I bet you’ll get further than you think and will feel so relieved afterward.

Stop buying more stuff. 
Again, we need so much less than we think. Be judicious in what comes in. Minimize duplicates. 

Play music you love. 
Set the tone and mood of the space. Fill it with sounds that spark joy, peace, and inspiration.

Do what you love.
Whatever it is (writing, reading, baking, working out, scrapbooking, calling friends, etc.), give yourself moments to refill your cup, associating home as a safe and rejuvenating place.

Light candles. 
Little rituals like this evoke a coziness that can shift the atmosphere. Don’t wait for the right moment—create the right moment.

Post Scripts

— More thoughts and tips on welcoming people into your home.

— Design tips for first-time homebuyers.

— A look into all my previous apartments. And a video of them all here!

— Health & Wellness Gift Guide

— Stocking Stuffer + Favorite Things Party Gift Guide

— Faith-Filled Gift Guide 

— If you’re feeling the pressure of wanting to do everything but not having enough time, these words are for you.

A Gift Guide for the Homemakers

Anything for a beautiful tablescape is always fun, like these wicker chargers, Estelle colored glasses, linen napkins, and battery-powered candles. / Recipe journals are so in right now, pretty one here / Gift wrapping supplies are underrated, loving this ribbon set / A versatile (and elegant) baking dish / Cozy slippers are always a good idea / Can’t go wrong with a luxe holiday home set.

Shop all links here!