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I've been settling into my new home with my partner, and one of the things I've been figuring out is how to make a new space feel like my own.
I wasn't sure how much to bring from my house, so I've been slowly adding bits and pieces over the past several weeks. I didn't want to strip my house down completely, especially with family staying there over the winter, so I ended up purchasing a few things, too. But I've tried to use as much of what I already own as possible to make this new space feel like home.
Here are five things that have made the biggest difference.
1. Photographs
Family photos have helped me feel less homesick. There's something comforting about seeing familiar faces throughout the day, especially when you're adjusting to a new space and a different daily routine. They remind me of the people and places that are still part of my life, even when I'm not there.
2. Artwork
I had to temper my desire to bring all my favorite paintings and prints with me. This is a much smaller space, and I didn't want to strip my house bare, either.
Instead, I chose a few paintings I'd done over the summer, picked up some new pieces while thrifting, and framed a few photos of my partner and our life together.
Taken together, the artwork tells a little story about the beginning of our relationship. I love that these pieces are not just things I enjoy looking at, but little reminders of this particular chapter of my life.
3. Blue Willow China
I use vintage china for all sorts of things, from jewelry holders and soap dishes to storage and, of course, dining and serving. There's something about blue-and-white dishes that has always appealed to me. Maybe it's the timelessness of the pattern, or perhaps it's simply the comfort of something familiar.
Having little pieces of my collection sprinkled throughout my new space makes it feel more like home. They don't have to be used for their intended purpose to be useful, and I love finding new ways to incorporate things I already own into everyday life.
I love to mix and match blue and white china patterns.
4. Books
Much like the artwork, I had to curate the books I wanted to bring. Once again, I was working with a smaller space, so I had to be a little selective.
I brought some of my favorite cookbooks, reference books, and holiday books. I've also started buying books again, realizing how much more relaxing it is to sit down and thumb through a real book rather than scroll through Pinterest or TikTok.
I love having books within reach, whether I'm looking for inspiration, researching something that interests me, or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon. They make a space feel lived in, and I can't imagine a home without them.
5. Plants
Historically, I've struggled to keep plants happy through the winter. My house is cold and drafty, which doesn't make for the happiest indoor garden.
But now that I'm in a much smaller, cozier space, my plants are thriving. I have them in most of the rooms, and it's been such a pleasure to watch them flourish.
There's something lovely about bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside, especially as the days grow shorter and we spend more time indoors. My plants make the space feel alive, and caring for them gives me another small reason to slow down and pay attention to my surroundings.
I turned this old telephone shelf into a planter. My pothos are loving their new space.
A Few Other Things That Make a House Feel Like Home
Beyond these five things, I've invested in some new cotton bedding, a diffuser and essential oils, and a few practical pieces of furniture, including bookshelves and thrifted side tables and dressers.
I'm learning that making a home isn't necessarily about filling it with new things or getting everything in place at once. Sometimes it's about bringing along the familiar, finding a place for the things you love, and slowly creating a space that reflects the life you're living now.
I'm still settling in, and I'm sure there will be more changes as the seasons pass. For now, I'm enjoying the process of making this space my own.
What are the things that make your home feel like home?
From the Blog
In the Pines
