My secrets for making a house into a home
These 8 little tricks will give you that warm, special feeling of home.
Hi everybody, it’s Babs.
Spring is in the air in Connecticut and it’s got me cleaning and changing up some of my décor. Sprucing up my home has gotten me thinking about what makes a house feel like home. As Mr. Babs and I have renovated the Basket House, we’ve made so many decisions—from wallpapers to light switch plates. (Well, actually, most have been made by me and my daughter.) Believe it or not, décor choices aren’t the only thing that makes a house a home.
If you’ve ever moved into a new house, you probably know that it doesn’t automatically feel like “home” right away. In fact, sometimes you can live in a house for years and it still doesn’t quite feel like home. The things we fill a house with can make it homey (and I have a few specific suggestions on that front), but perhaps even more importantly is how we live in our homes. Our routines and celebrations are the things that really create that cozy, welcoming feeling.
Here’s my best advice for how to turn a house into a home:
Establish routines
Routine brings comfort—that’s something I learned as both a mom and a preschool teacher. Think of ways you can make space for daily routines in your home. For example, choose a special spot where you'll start your day, enjoying your morning coffee or tea, and use a beloved cup to do so. Select a location to place your favorite candle and make a tiny routine out of lighting it every day. Turn something as mundane as bringing in mail into a meaningful moment by creating a pretty (and practical) place to drop the mail. I promise, these little routines will make your new house feel like your own.
Hang stuff up on the walls
Bare walls feel cold, so hang something up to warm things up. It doesn’t need to be fine art: You can hang just about anything on the wall: A quilt, a vintage map, a pretty wreath. I have a few of my favorite everyday dishes and my beloved cabbage plates mounted on plate hangers. If you’re lucky enough to have little ones in your life, hang some kids' art and school pictures, which will have the added benefit of delighting your children and grandchildren. Kids find great pride in seeing their work displayed.
Print those pictures out
I love getting digital photo album updates from my kids, but there’s nothing like holding a photo in your hands or seeing one in a frame. Get old pictures out of boxes and print new ones out. You don’t even have to frame them: You could fill a beautiful bowl with snapshots and place it on your coffee table for guests to browse. Change them out monthly, and I bet you’ll be surprised how much the family shuffles through the pictures and reminisces.
Personalize your space
I like to have a few things in my home that are personalized just for me—like a pretty hand towel embroidered with my initials in the powder room. Those little touches really make a space feel like your own. A quick way to customize without spending a fortune is to seek out home items with your initial. For example, one simple and practical personalization we chose for the Basket House is a personalized welcome mat. We got one with a B for the Basket House and Babs, of course.
Weave in the past
A newly-renovated or painted home feels new and fresh, but I believe every room needs at least one object with a little history. Include a few antiques in your decor and get your family treasures out of the cupboards and use and display them. If you have them, old family photos are a must!
Bake something
It’s a little thing, but I swear, the smell of homemade baked goods instantly makes my brain think “comfort.” Think about it: Does anything say ‘I love you’ quite like something out of the oven? If you want something easy, but indulgent, I included my favorite simple desserts in Every Day With Babs, like my Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies and my Caramel Apple Crisp, the Most Delicious Pound Cake, a Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake, Cookie for Breakfast Oatmeal Raisin Bars, Confetti Skillet Cookie, and Chocolate Mayonnaise Snack Cake (yes, mayonnaise!).
Be patient
It takes time to make any space feel like a home. Don’t just go out and buy art or accessories to fill a hole; hastily-bought decor is not going to give you that personal, layered feeling that comes with time. So, even if there are some blank walls or empty shelves, don’t rush.
Invite people in
The quickest way to make a new house really feel like home is to welcome in the people you love most. Start making new memories, share a meal together. A home cooked meal shared with friends and family–now that’s what really makes a house a home. So, open up those doors to let others in. You’ll grow friendships faster than you can imagine.
In a hurry? Try the Babs Brownie Hack. You’ll need a box of brownie mix (I like Ghirardelli brand) and two large candy bars (I prefer Hershey Symphony bars with toffee and almonds). Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions. Pour half of the brownie mixture into a 9x9 baking dish. Lay the candy bars on top of the mix in a single, solid layer; then pour the remaining mixture on top. Bake according to the directions on the box. The results are truly decadent–and no one can quite tell what makes them so delicious!
Q: Dear Babs, I’d love to invite people over, but ever since moving to a new town as an adult, I’ve struggled to make friends. Do you have any advice? I hate to admit it, but it’s a little lonely.
A: It can be so hard to make new friends as an adult. I find that food is such a good way to connect. Bake up some cookies and bring a plate to your neighbor when you see that their car is in the driveway. When you’re making a big one-dish meal like the Eat Twice Tuesday recipes in Every Day With Babs, text a new acquaintance to offer bring your excess over, instead of freezing the rest for yourself.
Another tip? Seek out local events. Whether it’s Sunday service at a church, book club at your library, volunteer opportunities, an art class, or a guided nature walk, there’s sure to be something happening that you can join up with.
If you need any help with your decorating details, check out the Basket House Shop at Birch Lane. I’ve put together a list of my favorite picks to make your home feel extra special this spring.
From top left: Portmeirion Botanic Garden Dinner Plate (Set of 6), Front Door Wreath, Velvet Throw Pillow, Stoneware Pitcher, Basketweave Ceramic Mug, Rattan Picture Frame, Outdoor Doormat, Portmeirion Botanic Garden Teapot, Wavy Metal Picture Frame,
XO, Babs
Got a burning question for me about food, entertaining, or life in general? Just type “Buzzing Babs” along with your question in the comments section for next week.
Cute Babs!! Loved this one! Your cookbook has def helped me do this :) the “brunch” section is basically my entire Easter menu
I love all these ideas to make a house a home, so easy and simple!