There’s no doubt that we’re often tempted to think the most important aspect of our homes is how they look, but the truth is it’s much more important how they make us feel…not to mention how our homes make our guests feel.
With a few helpful tips, you can work toward creating a home that is inviting, restful, and ready for hosting. It can be a place where you unwind and rejuvenate, where you feed your mind and your body. Your home can also become a haven of hospitality. Here’s how:
Natural Light
Looking for an easy, effective way to boost health and happiness in the home? Focus on increasing the amount of natural light that can pass into the property. Natural lighting not only brightens up any room; it can elevate your mood! Natural light is an effective mood-booster, which can positively affect other aspects of your life. For instance, you’re more likely to engage in good-for-you, health practices if you wake up in a good mood. Natural light can also regulate your circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall — and stay — asleep.
Healthy Eating and Drinking
What you consume has a big impact on both your mental and physical health. It’s much easier to be at your best when you’re following a healthy diet, which means preparing healthy meals and drinking plenty of water.
You’ll be more likely to prepare healthy meals and serve them to guests if you enjoy spending time in your kitchen, and more likely to drink water if you like how it tastes when it comes out of your tap. If you don’t currently like the taste, then a water softener, which removes calcium and magnesium from the water, can help. It can also help keep your coffee tasting good, which is really important if you have coffee and conversation with friends as often as I do!
If your kitchen is looking a little uninspiring, it might be time to make a few budget-friendly upgrades. Even changing the lighting and decluttering can make the space somewhere you want to spend time. Keeping it decluttered keeps you ready to welcome unexpected guests at any time.
The Perfect Place for Your Quiet Time
My favorite way to start any morning is sitting at my kitchen table with morning light streaming in, sipping coffee, and spending time in God’s word. Having that space ready each day not only invites me to stop and take the time to have a quiet time, it draws me to the practice as well. If you don’t have a special place for that special time, consider putting one together. When I am in a place that has a designated purpose, I’m a little less likely to engage in energy-draining activities (such as scrolling through my phone). A little time alone helps me prepare for spending time with others. It fills me up so that I can pour into others’ lives.
Outdoor spaces can work that way, too. Have a beautiful outdoor area? Look at creating a special retreat among the plants. You can rest and read while absorbing Vitamin D, and both will impact your overall wellness. When the weather’s nice, take your friends and family outdoors to enjoy God’s creation as well as your company. You can get really creative with it, too. For instance, have you ever considered a tree house? A treehouse or something similar can be great for relaxing outdoors, and they don’t always require big investments. Treehouse nets or other simple structures can create the perfect place for you to relax and rejuvenate.
Ready for Hosting
I’ve read that socializing for six hours a day is key to being happy. The introverted side of me groans at the thought, and the busy part of me asks, “Who has time for that?” With our busy lives, it seems impossible to get that much in person, real socialization done every day, but you can increase the likelihood that it’ll happen by putting together a house that’s ready for guests. Whether it’s creating an outdoor lounge area or arranging the furniture in a conversation-friendly layout, making your home ready to host get-togethers will encourage friends and family to drop in and say hello. At the same time, you’ll be encouraged by their visit, and hopefully, they will, too.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.