How I Make my House a Home

By: Dakota D. Duran

If there is anything besides brunch I consider my forte, I would say it is comfort. I take it very seriously, and I try to add coziness to any environment I am living in for a long period. I made sure to do this with my freshman year dorm, as I aimed to make myself comfortable when living away from home for the first time, and I made sure to include this when moving into an apartment for the first time this year.

While I need to create a nurturing environment for myself, I also aim to do this when my friends visit me as well. This year, I have become known as “the mom” among my friends, as I always make sure they are taken care of when they visit me. Whether you aim to create a snug atmosphere for yourself or your guests, here are some tips I make sure to include when I make my house a home:

1. Investing in Good Sheets and Blankets

When it comes to my bed and the sheets I lay in, I make sure to invest. I consider my bed my comfort space, and it only makes sense to have the best brands in the area I rest in. I want to go to sleep and wake up feeling like I’m on a cloud, therefore I make sure to find blankets and comforters that fit this feeling perfectly. I feel as though I have found the perfect combination of linen/cotton sheets with satin pillowcases, a fluffy blanket, and at least two throw pillows for decoration. I did love the Target pillows when I first moved out, but if you can, I would suggest upgrading as they got flat after a while. My new favorite is these hotel-level pillows I got off of Amazon, and because they are cooling and filled with feathers, I get the misty, cold cloud feeling. I always make sure to pair it with the Kitsch Satin Pillowcases, as these are perfect for staying cool, and are perfect for keeping your skin and hair healthy. When it comes to sheets and a comforter, I love using a duvet, as it is somewhat weighted and helps me feel secure. For the duvet insert, I love this one I got from Amazon as it is filled with feathers, making sure I don’t get too hot when I sleep. For the duvet cover, I love the Bedsure brand from Amazon, and I use the same brand for my fitted sheets as well. I have recommended these sheets to almost everyone I know, and they all tell me how much they enjoy them once they purchase them themselves. As for blankets, a weighted knitted blanket is absolutely necessary for both your bed and couch. These have you feeling as snug as a bug, and your guests will enjoy it as well.

2. Yummy Smelling Candles

I find myself to be in a much better mood when I am in an environment that smells good. When you dive deeper into it, the olfactory system of our brain is responsible for our sense of smell, and this system is connected to our limbic system, which takes care of our emotions and memories. Because of this, a good fragrance is important to support our serotonin levels. I try to include a candle in almost every area of my home, whether that be the kitchen, living room, bathroom, or bedroom. I associate different scents with different areas of my home; for instance, for the bathroom, I enjoy including a eucalyptus mint smell, and I love using the one from Trader Joe’s to achieve a “spa” feeling. For my bedroom, I typically enjoy cozy scents, such as vanilla, so I love using the Diptyque Vanilla Candle, leaving my bedroom smelling like a freshly baked cupcake. I love smelling good myself, so I make sure to apply this to where I live as well.

3. Art

I love art in general, so I always try to add a few pieces to my home. Because I’m a minimalist, I don’t want to add so much to the point where my house looks like a museum, but I love adding enough to where the walls are less bare and the area looks lived in. Living in San Francisco, I have found pieces from flea markets or vintage shops, but if there is a specific vision I have or want to replicate a photo I saw on Pinterest, I like to look on Amazon or Etsy. I believe art is the best form of expression, and I always love showcasing my personality through the paintings or photos I place in my home.

4. Plants

Because I want my home to have a calming effect, I try to include plants as much as I can. Plants are also beneficial to your brain when it comes to memory, as they can improve your ability to recall information by 15-20%. Because the carbon dioxide concentration also decreases when plants are around, the air quality of your home will also increase. I love going to my local farmer’s market to find plants, as there is always a perfect selection of greenery. Being a Trader Joe’s shopper, I also love getting succulents from their plant section, as they are small and easy to take care of. And, if you have a hard time remembering to water plants, fake ones are always a good option and can give the same relaxing feeling.

5. Having a Stocked Fridge

When I host my friends, I feel as though my motherly instincts come out, as I always want to make sure they are fed and have something to drink. I always make it a priority to have a stocked fridge and pantry, and because it makes my OCD happy, I always organize my food and drinks in containers. I like knowing that there is enough food for me to eat, but it makes me feel even better knowing I can provide for those I love most. A stocked fridge and pantry also just complete the entire “home” feeling in general, as it leaves you feeling like the grandma who always hosts at her house.

6. Placing Chargers Around the House

I never thought placing a phone charger would make a difference to my home, but it most definitely has. When having people over, you would be surprised at how many of their phones are at less than 20%. Because of this, I have tried to place a charger in the majority of the outlets in my home, as I want to allow my guests to recharge both themselves and their phones during their stay. Because we live in the age of technology, I find that this simple feature gives your guests a feeling of ease.