Living in a place where Christmas is simply not celebrated, the holiday season sort of snuck up on me this year because we have no decorations or carols in the malls and public spaces here. For the first time ever, I decided to put up a tree because it is the thing to do rather than because I really felt moved by the spirit of the season. Today was the day when I finally got a chance today to decorate, and I have to say I was surprised by how much the act of decorating put me in the holiday spirit, and by the effect it had on my overall feelings about home.
Not only did the act of putting up some decorations jumpstart my holiday cheer, it also inspired me to really focus on making our current house a home rather than just the place my husband and I are occupying while in Saudi. Though I still don't have access to my household goods, my husband's shipment did contain some rugs and art that have been living in the back bedroom waiting for a final decision on where to place them. Today I decided that I didn't want to host a community Christmas in a house with bare walls and floors, and so I followed up my tree decorating with a marathon session of furniture moving, carpet laying, and picture hanging.
It probably sounds like a strange admission for a design blogger, but I had lost track of how much my state of mind is influenced by my home. Though I arrived here in July and moved into this house in September, I can honestly say that today was the first day this place really felt like a home. Adding just the few personal belongings that we have right now has given this house a feeling of permanence- — even though we know we will only be here for two years. I am delighted to finally feel at home here, and am grateful that what started as a chore this morning has paid such wonderful dividends.
I would love to hear from others, especially those who move regularly, about what make a new place finally feel like home. Have you ever taken stock of the moment when you make that mental transition? I am happy to be heading into a new year finally feeling settled, but would love to know that I'm not alone in making such a lengthy transition!
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For me, a new place starts feeling like home when you've changed the locks, finally got it clean, have a comfortable place to sleep, and know where everything is.
I feel like I am really living in a new home when I've cooked a meal from scratch there, rather than whatever I can throw into the microwave or order in while I'm unpacking boxes. When my kitchen smells wonderful from my own labors, the new place is really mine.
I moved in November and then had a marathon of MPRE, semester projects, finals, and illness, so my apartment was pretty bare bones. Last weekend I crafted and decorated for Christmas, and it felt SO. GOOD. I feel like my living room has a personality now, and even though that personality is seasonal, it reminded me of how happy it can make me feel to go through the process of making things just right. It feels like I bonded with the new place, and I can't wait to replace the lights and garland with artwork and whatever else. But I do love my lights.
Our apartment finally started feeling like a home when we hung up some art and family photographs and updated our lighting.
For me it is the people, the food, and the music.
A bit of mess always helps it feel like home. Few people (I do hope) make a mess anywhere but home...
When all boxes from moving are finally gone, and I have the time to enjoy my morning coffee before work because everything is at place, that's when a house becomes home to me. As for the decoration, once there is art and shelving on the walls, it's "my home". But the definitive moment is when the furniture finally seems to be at the right place. I've moved 9 times so far, it's always the same.
Home is wherever I'm unpacked and comfortable - whether it's in a lovely hotel, aboard a ship or within my address of the past 16 years.
for me, a place feels like home when i can make my guests comfortable. because when they're comfortable, i'm comfortable. a few years ago, we only had like two blankets and a floor for them to sleep on. they had to bring their own pillows, sleeping bags, etc. we didn't have space heaters, batteries in our flashlights, washcloths for the shower (i use a loofa and wasn't thinking!), etc. now we have beds, guest rooms, etc etc, and it's nice to be able to pull things out when somebody requests them. saying that you don't have a washcloth is REALLY awkward, haha! kitchen washcloths will work in a pinch though. ;)
the things we're still working on is getting enough seating. we only have one couch that seats 3 people, and we can't wait till we get a longer one and a couple of chairs. it will be really nice when we have our library ready to go as well- i love being able to provide somewhere for our guests to just chill if they want to, without feeling like it's rude if they leave.
For me, it's when the days over and you can't wait to get home.
That and on the weekends, you enjoy staying in bed all snuggle and warm. Never wanting Monday to arrive.
Getting the Quan Yin in her corner (this is always the first thing we place in ay place we live). This says home to me. The other thing is getting the art up--takes the place from someone's to ours.
In a new place, when my cats come out from under the bed. Takes about 3 days.
erin scissorhands - You shouldn't get a place with more than one guest room unless you also have another purpose for it. A great thing I read somewhere (and will find eventually) is a way to think of all the extra rooms. Take the total of all your bills and figure out how much you are paying per square foot. Now sit to one side how much money you are spending on all rooms you use at least once a week. The rest of the money flush it....seem ridiculous? That's how much money you waste and are pretty much doing the same thing.
When the clothes end up on the floor
I have to fully redecorate the living room. For the homey feel that means built in floor to ceiling bookcases along one entire wall, an area rug, curtains, lots of throws and pillows.
A place doesn't feel like home unless I feel totally safe there. I need to live in a neighborhood where I feel like I can walk the dog at three a.m. if need be. Loving my neighborhood makes me feel so much more comfortable and at home. Having good neighbors and knowing your neighbors is so great! (If you always are worrying about bothering the old lady next door or something you prob won't feel very comfortable or truly at home.)
In terms of moving into a space, having everything put away and in its final place definitely is a big part of it. I moved into my place in September too and waited a while to unpack final boxes and hang art, but it feels great to have it done now. Not feeling like you have stuff left to take care of makes it feel homier. Organization is key.
Decor wise, having art up on the walls is SOOO important for me, as is having tons of plants! Artwork is so personal and really makes a space feel cared for, and plants add some life. And having a bed that I want to crawl into helps. Playing with furniture layout until it flows nicely. A mix of old and new. Books! I think rugs really help tie things together.
And it's not really home to me until I want to show it off to people (if you think "I have to do this before I invite people over" then don't wait until you invite people over! Do it for yourself! You will enjoy your space so much more!) I think a home should be a place that you want to share with people in your life.
The night I unpacked my first load of books and put them on a shelf was the moment I made that mental transition you were talking about. I wouldn't have guessed that would be what made my new place home - or more particularly my home - but it was.
I hope to not move again in my lifetime, but I usually feel "at home" BEFORE I even move in! I nearly always have had a sense of "recognition" about a place that made me rent it, or buy it (once) even before it was mine. (Including two really sad studio apartments that I spent time in -- I just "knew" I was going to live there. I know exactly where things will go and I put them there as fast as possible afterward.
Since I helped design our new house, that was especially true -- it felt like mine before the studs went up!
It's not fully "home" though until my partner and pets are there. (I spent a night in the new place before them to be on site for some deliveries in the morning -- we weren't technically supposed to be moved in yet, but we didn't know what time the truck would be there, so that's how we solved it. THAT felt a bit odd!)
I'm with idontdobeige . . . a place becomes home when my favorite books have been unpacked and organized on the bookshelf. When I know where I can find my copy of "This Side of Paradise," I am home.
Nice "seasonal holiday plant". Painting is one way to say "mine".