If you dig deep enough into your history, you’ll remember your many childhood homes, and just how much they meant to you growing up.
Running around with your siblings, watching weekend cartoons in the living room, playing in the backyard on a hot afternoon.
Some houses may be more memorable, while others are just an echo from the past.
But one thing you will remember is how safe, comfortable and happy you felt being surrounded by so many familiar things. And most of this is likely thanks to your mum.
We’ve all likely had to experience at least one house move during our childhood.
You’ll also remember the first time you step into a new house, how devoid of life and warmth.
But somehow, overtime, our mums always somehow manage to make it feel like a home.
How they’re able to infuse an otherwise empty space with so much love and meaning that you can never imagine it being anything else. As if you’ve been there your entire life.
Here are some ways that our mums have taught us about turning a house into a home.
Add Your Personal Touch
Each mum has her own taste and style, whether its simple or complex.
And while our beloved Asian mums may not know or care about all those complicated and cumbersome décor styles you see in interior design magazines, they always know where to put stuff.
When moving into a new house, it’s also a good idea to let your kids pick out what wall colour they want for their rooms. And to help them decorate their rooms how they want.
If you dont have much, just letting them decide where to put their bed and desk is enough to help them make a home in a new place.
Make It Comfy
Another thing our mums taught is to always priorities comfort.
The family sofa, for instance, is where everyone loves spending time on.
But you can always take it a step further and add bean bags, throw rugs, pillows and any other comfy accoutrement to make the space warm and inviting.
Some mums even like putting down those furry rugs. If that’s your thing, you can always get them for your house.
But in general, there should always be plenty of spaces where you can kick, back, relax and forget all your problems, at least for a little while.
Use the Right Colours
Our mums are great at picking out nice colours for the house.
So, when you eventually start your own family and get your own house, it’s important to do the same. Whether its the paint for your walls, the tone of your furniture, the fabric of your upholstery and any other knick-knacks you decide to lay around the space.
Neutral, nude colours are always the to-go color scheme, but you may have seen homes splashed with pastel and bold shades that capture attention.
But you don’t always have to stick to boring, ‘safe’ colours.
Experiment with a bunch of different tones, you may just end up loving a colour that you may not have otherwise until you tried it for yourself.
Fill It with Memories
We commemorate our best moments in photographs, but it’s also important to display those memories out in the open. To remind you of the good times during those situations where it may be a little tense between members of the household.
Having reminders of your love and happiness as a family can fill a home with so many memories. Memories that help you get through tough times together.
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to do this is by hanging or displaying photos on console tables. Especially in the main areas like the living room.
This isn’t only limited to picture frames and portraits on the walls, but memorabilia and souvenirs from family getaways and vacations.
Infuse It with Good Smells
Whether its bowls of potpourri, essential oil dispensers, oil burners, scented candles or automatic air fresheners, your mum will always have a few sweet-smelling things to perfume the home.
It’s been proven scientifically that scents and smells can have a positive effect on our moods.
And our mums have cracked the code on how to make a house more than just a house for years.
But a warm and welcoming home where all its inhabitants are always living in state of bliss and harmony.
And that’s all thanks to those delicious, floral smells that permeate the air.
Always Have a Bookshelf
If you growing up in a family of readers you know that the house always has a bookshelf.
But even if your parents were not avid book lovers, there may still be a one.
Because every family has books, or at the very least important paper documents that need to be put somewhere.
Moreover, a bookshelf is also a great place not only to store things like photo albums (which all families have), but also for your kids’ storybooks, your religious texts (if any) and another other reading material that you’ve accumulated throughout your lives.
Bookshelves can also end up being a repository or ‘display case’ for all family memorabilia.
Rearrange Often
Sometimes a little makeover never hurt anyone.
And if you grew up with a mum who loves to rearrange the living room ever so often, such as for special events and holidays, you know how fun they can be.
Everyone lends a helping hand and you both relax afterwards with some ice-cream.
But it’s actually a good idea to rearrange your home other than for aesthetic purposes.
And even if you’re not doing it as part of your monthly spring cleaning, rearranging furniture can help reveal any problem spots in the house. For example, mold, cracks or leaks.
And yes, it does help you clean out any debris that may have festered and collected in those hard to reach areas.
A Little Chaos Is Good
Our mums may be a bit persnickety about keeping the home clean all the time, but there are always small unnoticeable corners of chaos around the home that just make it so familiar.
After all, the worst thing you can do to a home is keep it all spick and span 24/7. Which if we’re being honest, is 100% unachievable.
You’re always moving around the house and things will be put on tables.
But that’s okay.
This is your home and you, your spouse and your kids should be okay with a little mess.
Life is messy and not everything has to be perfect all the time.
While it’s nice to keep everything neat and tidy, you don’t have to overdo. Reserve the compulsive cleaning for when guests are coming.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
It’s important to remember that your physical home is your outward expression of the affection you have for your spouse and kids.
It’s a place of shelter and belonging, a place where everyone can feel accepted and acknowledged.
It should never take the place of actual love.
So, as much as you love decorating your house, remember that its the people who live in it that actually make it a home.
If you’re a parent, always foster a good relationship with your kids and spouse.
Home is where the heart is.
And no matter where you live, as long as you have a family, you’ll always be home.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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