There are some homes that just beckon. They may not be the largest or the most well furnished but they work. Chances are it's because the people who live there really thought about how the homes would function for their lives. If you'd like to take your home from being nice to being the home that everyone wants to hang out at, here are some questions to ask yourself.
Do I wake up in the morning feeling truly rested? While there are a whole bunch of reasons I might toss and turn at night, a clean and serene bedroom certainly helps me feel at ease. If you've been sleeping fitfully, perhaps it's time for some new bedding. Updating your bed with a down or Tempurpedic mattress topper, some new pillows (I'm loving Ikea's Gosa Pinja pillows for side sleepers) and new bedding (try cozy flannel for winter, smooth cool sateen for summer) can make a big difference in your sleep patterns. For problem sleepers, try some of these tips for bedding down with Mr. Sandman.
Can I play music in your home, including in the bedroom and the bath? Sound, like scent, is one of those elusive layers in a home that you don't recognize as important until there's something annoying, like loud neighbors or a blaring car alarm, to jolt you. Even if you're a rock or hard core fanatic, don't limit your in-home soundtrack. Opera on Sunday mornings, soul for cleaning, power ballads while showering. Check out our many amazing soundtrack posts, including ones to cook by.
Do I have a comfortable spot in my home where I can read, talk on the phone, even nap, that is not my bed? If the most comfortable spot in your home is your bed, it's time to rethink things. A comfy chair in the corner of the bedroom, extra pillows on the couch, a floor cushion by a sunny window, an ottoman pulled up to the sofa, a throw near a drafty window, angling a daybed to catch the afternoon light, are all ways to make a spot more inviting.
Can I walk around my house barefoot? While we're not advocating a shoes off policy (though your home may stay cleaner if you do), the rugs should feel nice on the feet, the floors clean and smooth. It seems like a chore but I do a super fast damp mop on my wooden floors every morning (really superfast. And yes, sometimes I even make airplane noises!) with a old rag tucked into a Swiffer mop and spritzed with a little Mrs. Myers Lavender all-purpose spray.
Does my home smell good? That little mopping habit not only keeps my floors clean, it also keeps my home smelling nice. Cleansers, a scented candle, opening the windows, cooking -- these all bring a layer of scent into your home.
Is there a convenient spot for a guest to put down a coat or hang a bag? How about one for yourself? If you don't already have one, consider establishing a landing strip in your home near your front door. This alone can do a lot towards alleviating a clutter takeover in your home.
How about a spot that I feel comfortable entertaining a guest? Maybe you spend a lot of time in your home alone, maybe you hate having anyone over, but when you do, step back and take a look at how comfortable someone is. Where do they choose to sit? You can learn a lot about your home from a visitor. You don't need a formal living room, just two chairs with someplace to put down a glass of water.
Can I vary the mood in my home with lighting to serve that room's functions? There should be reading lights within easy reach of the bed or sofa, enough light in the kitchen to chop by or peer into the back of your pantry. If you're always squinting, time to consider a well-place lamp or at least the wattage of your lightbulbs. Before you make any major changes in your home, invest in some lighting. That may be all the work you need.
How organized is my home? Is your clothing closet well-organized enough that you can get dressed in 15 minutes? Do you have the makings of quick meal to feed an unexpected guest? What about your bathroom? Are all the things you need easily accessible or do you have so many things to take out and put away in the morning that you create a tornado that you then dread putting away?
And, perhaps most importantly, do I feel happy walking into your home? Are you proud of your home? Your home should make you smile to be there.
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This is a thoughtful list -- I'm so glad to have it! I think it puts into words some of the wants I have for my home but haven't been able to quite put my finger on. I especially like the sound idea, and I can't wait to try the Mrs. Myers on the Swiffer trick (I have a LOT of 91-year-old hardwood floors). Thank you very much!
Based on this list, my RV makeover was a complete success. I still have a few things to do, but I'm just about there.
I've never had a home that so reflects how I live. In 125 square feet, it is such a luxury to shut the door of the home office at the end of the day, spend the evening lounging in the front room, and go to sleep in a separate space.
And the colours I used to paint the walls, so unconventional in an RV, and so pretty. I smile whenever I walk in the the door.
I almost hit renovation burnout last night; thank you for posting this list to remind me of just what it is I'm working so hard to achieve: a home.
With a giant mastiff, two cats, and an angora rabbit, I've instantly decided that I'm going to invoke your damp mop in our home... at least in the entry, living, dining rooms and kitchen so that we can walk around hair free for a few hours in the morning!
Ps - Anyone have tips on keeping hair to a minimum? I'd take them all!!
Agree, really useful post. Will save for later. Thanks!
MarianneT - We have the same problem with hair and it's just one really fluffy cat. We use the Pledge Pet Hair Sweeper on couch, futon, and comforter and it works pretty well. We also just purchased a furminator and are trying to brush him once a day to get started. Everything in our house is covered with hair but we're working on it.
Great list! Happily my house meets most of these :)
I have three cats and hardwood floors. My Roomba keeps me sane. I run it once a day. I've had it for three years and it's well worth the money.
that couch is amazing! where is it from?
Yes, please someone post where that couch is from!
This has to be one of the most helpful posts I have read in a long time. I totally agree with these and like the idea of implementing all of these in my own home.
The couch is from one of my favorite house tours ever:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/sharons-monochrome-wonder-house-tour-126302
I am happy with the state of my house, except for the pet hair. I have been considering a Roomba- I am glad to hear about a good experience. Anyone else?
Cakegirl- I have an older-model Roomba that worked wonders when it worked. I loved it and would recommend it. However, too many stair tumbles have rendered it practically useless. The newer models might be better.
For my mopping, I fill the sink with warm water/Mrs.Meyers cleaner/clean rags & use a swiffer-like mop to push the wrung-out rags over my floors. I use a clean rag for every section & never use dirtied water.
heh, I think I failed this quiz.
:(
Though I just vacuumed which makes me feel better. Those cats like to RUN out of the litterbox and man, that stuff can fly.
I love this post. Lots of things to think about since I am really working this year to have one of those welcoming, comfortable, really fabulous homes.
Re. pet hair: the Furminator is a miracle. I could not get a handle on the cat hair at my house even with daily brushing, but after a week with the Furminator, it's problem solved. I really can't praise it enough.
Useful post! I'm going to keep light, sound, smell, and feel (rugs) in mind as I make improvements.
For pet owners: my beloved late beagle was always a source of hair, but in spite of having a clean apt, I'd trade it all in a millisecond to have her back. Never did think about a Roomba, though.
The roomba helps. It is a chore to clean, but there is no way I would vacuum daily without it. Or even weekly. The newer models are a lot smarter, especially about not falling down stairs.
Plants are good for indoor air quality. Strategically placed fans can make a big difference in air circulation too.
I'd like to say I've got most of this covered, but in a small apartment there's no space for a landing strip or a chaise, but we get by ;)
Oh, and I DO advocate a barefoot lifestyle, but in Canada it's the norm, so when I read about it here I'm always a bit surprised.
haha yes, kitty litter and the hair (and hairballs) of 4 cats - 3 white ones included!
Quick sweep each morning with a soft brush and spot treat with a damp cloth. Full weekly vacuum, dust swiffer then disinfect with a mop.
Sticky rollers from Ikea are a godsend - a quick roll over the furniture (and me) before leaving the flat every morning.
3 (small) dogs and 3 cats...been thinking about a Roomba for a while but couldn't decide. Thanks for the input!
Great thoughtful article. Thanks!!
Great post but sometimes I wonder if any of you had parents and if they taught you anything about basic cooking and cleaning and organizing and just basic social skills to get you through this tough life that we all have?
Furminators rock- we find it really helps keep the hair down. Fair warning- some cats get addicted to it. One of ours is, and if we aren't careful, we can brush him too thin. (So on "non furminator" days, sometimes we sticky roll him or use the rubber brush. He loves it.)
There are also special pet brushes for vacuums- we have the Bissell ones and they work like a charm to make short work of vacuuming. One day, I'll buy the actual pet hair vacuum.
Sorry, this is off topic for the post, but so many people were talking about the cats!
Another praise for the Furminator. We use it on our (mostly German Shepherd) mutt daily. Dog hair is no longer a condiment around here.
The house is cleaner since we bought the Dyson vacuum. Yeah, it's poorly designed in some ways but it's powerfully sucky in the right way.
Has anyone figured out a way to hack the Pledge Pet Hair Sweeper so you do not have to throw it away when it is full? It's the best I've found for my Corgi mix, but I use one each time I do 3 or 4 upholstered chairs and at 5.99 a pop that's too pricey for me.
Hippyvieja - I love the Pledge Sweeper too, it's the best! You can empty it out one or two times by just sticking your fingers in between the two rollers and pulling out the hair. I've found that it usually gets clumped in there, so it comes out in large tufts. I say empty it only once or twice because after a while the rollers lose their fuzziness and become less effective.
My Dyson also does a fabulous job sucking up a crazy amount of dog hair - I highly recommend it. I have the smaller version and I can't tell anything about it that isn't "full size" or fully powered.
This post is very useful but it needs edited for the "I" and "you" confusion. Looks like the writer changed their mind about writing in 1st versus 2nd person but messed up the edit. Not welcoming or comfortable, and contradicts the ideas about tidiness that are expressed in the post.
Use a razor knife or xacto to cut a slot shaped opening in the clear plastic part of the Pledge pet hair picker uppper and you can clean it out and continue to use, voila. Put a piece of duct tape over the opening if it bugs you or stuff leaks out.
Good post!
I have two solutions that save my life when cleaning: A vacuum with a pet hair attachment for furniture, and a steam mop! I love not having to use harsh chemicals to clean my hardwood and linoleum floors.
Also, a little scented oil in the water reservoir of the steam mop and my whole apt smells so fresh!
Splatgirl: re Pledge Pet Hair Sweeper, that is a great idea - I had been popping out the roller, to empty but that only works 4-5 times before I have to replace it.
Love this quiz! I'm proud to say I answered yes to all of these questions. :)