Have you ever walked into someone’s home and just felt completely at ease? Maybe the space wasn’t the most lavish or trendy, but it felt inviting, comfortable, and filled with a sense of peace. That, I think, is the magic of intentional homemaking. In this article I’m exploring the art of intentional homemaking, and 7 tips to help you get started.
WHAT IS INTENTIONAL HOMEMAKING?
Intentional homemaking is all about creating a space that not only looks good but feels good too. It’s about putting thought and care into how your home supports your life, your well-being, and the people who live in it. But more than that, it’s a mindful process that allows your home to reflect your values, priorities, and personality. When we live in a home that is thoughtfully put together, it affects our mood, mental clarity, and even how we go about our daily routines.
For me, I also know that when I shift my mindset away from chores, responsibilities and To Do lists for managing my home, towards taking pride and pleasure from making my house a home – then all these tasks seem more manageable and, for the most part, enjoyable.
I like to think of it as my love language and one way to show my family that I love them by making our house a home for all of us.
That’s not to say it’s only my job to do that. We all pitch in, but every ship needs a captain, every workplace needs a boss, every home needs a kind of ‘home boss’ too to delegate tasks and overseeing what’s happening!
In this article I’m exploring why intentional homemaking matters, what it really means, and, most importantly, how to do it.
WHY DOES INTENTIONAL HOMEMAKING MATTER?
We all spend a huge amount of time in our homes, whether we’re conscious of it or not. When you think about it, home is the backdrop of our lives. It’s where we start and end our day, share meals with family, relax, and recharge. So, doesn’t it make sense that our homes should feel like places where we can truly be ourselves and thrive?
Here are a few reasons why intentional homemaking is so important:
1. Your Home Affects Your Mental Well-Being
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by clutter or unsettled by disorganised spaces? Our surroundings have a big impact on how we feel. A home that is thoughtfully arranged and free of unnecessary clutter can provide a sense of calm and control. When our homes feel peaceful, it’s much easier to keep stress levels down and enjoy life more fully.
2. It Encourages Mindfulness
When we make choices about our home intentionally, we’re forced to slow down and think about what really matters. Do we need all this stuff? How do we want to use our spaces? What kind of atmosphere do we want to create? This level of mindfulness encourages us to live with purpose, not just in our homes, but in other areas of our lives too.
3. It Supports Your Values and Lifestyle
Intentional homemaking allows us to create spaces that support how we want to live. For instance, if spending time with family is a priority, then you might arrange your living space to encourage gathering and conversation. Or if you value self-care, maybe you’ll create a calming, cosy corner where you can read or meditate. By designing your home in alignment with your values, you’re more likely to live in a way that reflects what’s important to you.
4. It Makes Life Easier
Intentional homemaking is also about practicality. When everything has its place, and your space is designed to fit your lifestyle, it’s so much easier to go about your day. No more wasting time searching for lost keys or feeling stressed out by a messy kitchen. An organised and thoughtful home just works better, making day-to-day life simpler and more enjoyable.
WHAT DOES INTENTIONAL HOMEMAKING REALLY MEAN?
So, what exactly is intentional homemaking? It’s not about creating a perfect home or following the latest interior design trends. In fact, it’s the opposite of that. Instead of focusing on perfection, intentional homemaking is about creating a space that serves you and your family’s needs, bringing more comfort, peace, and joy into everyday life.
At its core, intentional homemaking is about:
1. Mindful Choices
Every item you bring into your home has a purpose, whether it’s functional or brings you joy. It’s not about filling your space with things just for the sake of it; it’s about choosing items that contribute positively to your life. This might mean getting rid of things that no longer serve you or finding creative ways to make the most of what you already have.
2. Designing for Your Life
Your home should work for you, not the other way around. This means creating spaces that suit your daily routines and habits. If you love to cook, your kitchen should be designed to make cooking easy and enjoyable. If you work from home, you might need a dedicated, organised workspace that helps you stay productive. Your home should support the way you live, not create obstacles.
3. Fostering a Sense of Calm
A calm, organised home doesn’t just happen by accident. It requires thought and effort. Intentional homemaking is about eliminating chaos and creating an environment that soothes rather than stresses. This often involves decluttering, simplifying, and being selective about what you allow into your space.
4. Reflecting Who You Are
Your home is a reflection of your personality, values, and lifestyle. It’s a space where you should feel truly yourself. Whether it’s through the colours you choose, the furniture you select, or the personal items you display, intentional homemaking allows your home to tell your story.
HOW TO CREATE AN INTENTIONAL HOME
Now that we’ve covered why intentional homemaking matters and what it really means, let’s get to the practical stuff. How do you actually go about creating a home that feels intentional and supports your well-being?
1. Start with Decluttering
One of the first steps in creating an intentional home is getting rid of the excess. It’s hard to be intentional with your space when it’s filled with things you don’t need, use, or love. Decluttering is all about letting go of the things that are no longer serving you.
Start small – maybe a single drawer or a cupboard. As you go through your things, ask yourself if each item has a purpose in your life. If it doesn’t, it’s time to let it go. This process can take time, so be patient with yourself. Remember, the goal is to create a home that feels spacious, calm, and filled only with things that add value to your life.
2. Identify Your Priorities
What are your priorities for your home? This will look different for everyone. Maybe you want a home that feels cosy and warm, or maybe you want a minimalist space that’s easy to keep tidy. Whatever your priorities are, write them down. This will help guide your decisions as you work through each room.
For example, if your priority is spending more time with family, you might focus on creating a living room with lots of seating and open space for everyone to gather. Or, if self-care is high on your list, maybe you’ll focus on creating a calming bedroom or a spa-like bathroom where you can unwind.
3. Make Your Space Functional
An intentional home is a functional home. Think about how you use each space and make sure it’s working for you. Does your kitchen layout make cooking easy? Is your living room arranged in a way that encourages relaxation or conversation? Is there enough storage for the things you use regularly?
It can be helpful to walk through each room and make notes about what’s working and what’s not. If something isn’t serving you well, think about how you can improve it. This might involve rearranging furniture, adding storage, or repurposing a room.
4. Create a Daily Tidy-Up Routine
Keeping your home tidy doesn’t have to be a massive chore. By incorporating small daily habits, you can keep things organised with minimal effort. Set aside just 10-15 minutes a day to do a quick tidy-up. Put things back where they belong, clear surfaces, and tackle any clutter that’s accumulated throughout the day.
This little routine can make a big difference in maintaining a sense of calm and order in your home. Plus, it’s much easier to stay on top of things with a little effort each day, rather than letting mess build up over time.
5. Decorate with Intention
When it comes to decorating, be thoughtful about what you bring into your home. Avoid the temptation to fill every empty space just for the sake of it. Instead, choose decor that you love and that serves a purpose. This could mean selecting a piece of art that brings you joy or adding plants that improve the air quality and add life to a room.
Consider using natural materials like wood, wool, or linen, which add warmth and texture to a space. And don’t forget about lighting – soft, warm lighting can make a room feel instantly cosier.
6. Simplify Where You Can
A big part of intentional homemaking is simplifying. This could mean reducing the number of items you have, but it also applies to how you approach life in your home. Streamline your routines, limit distractions, and embrace the idea of “less is more.”
For example, you might simplify your cleaning routine by creating a schedule that focuses on one task each day, rather than trying to tackle everything at once. Or you could simplify your wardrobe by creating a capsule collection of clothes you love and wear regularly, making it easier to get dressed each morning.
7. Embrace Flexibility
Life is always changing, and your home should be able to adapt to those changes. Whether you’re welcoming a new baby, transitioning to working from home, or downsizing, an intentional home should be flexible enough to meet your current needs.
This means being open to rethinking how you use your space. Maybe the guest room becomes a home office, or the dining room turns into a play area for the kids. Don’t be afraid to make changes as your life evolves.
CONCLUSION
Intentional homemaking isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a space that reflects who you are and supports the life you want to live. It’s about choosing quality over quantity, mindfulness over chaos, and function over clutter.
By making thoughtful choices, simplifying where you can, and focusing on what really matters to you, you can create a home that brings peace, joy, and ease into your everyday life. And, most importantly, you’ll have a space where you feel truly at home.
I’d love to know your thoughts on homemaking. How do you feel about managing your home and the stuff in it? Is it source of stress and hassle, or something you take pleasure and pride in? Leave a comment at the end of the article to share any thoughts or tips.
Nancy
Monday 30th of September 2024
In my case sometimes it is the cause of stress, but I am working on it, when things get out of control, I go room by room and tidy up and I can feel more relaxed afterwards...
Balance Through Simplicity
Tuesday 1st of October 2024
Hi Nancy, yes I do this too. Thank you for reading!