2014! What?!
I was vacationing in Chicago last week and let me tell ya… I’m SO thankful to be back in LA. I do think Chicago is one of the greatest cities, but there’s just no way I could ever get used to the cold again. I much prefer sitting here, writing this post, wearing a t-shirt and shorts in this most excellent LA weather.
So I’m a tad bit behind… but in the spirit of the new year, I wanted to do something that would involve looking back at some of the blog posts I’ve put up last year (well, last year from September since that’s when I started this blog!) and I thought a fun way to do it would be to recap some of the ways I’ve made my apartment more homey. “Homey” is, after all, in the name of my blog ;).
The only new photo in this post is the one in the title, which starts us off with the first point.
1) Hang up pictures and art.
Hanging up pictures in my apartment was the last thing I did after moving in, though I think it is the best way to make a place feel like home. I also think the act of drilling holes and hammering nails brings a greater sense of permanence, like staking down a sign that says “Hey, we live here!”
My boyfriend and I jokingly call this wall our “relationship shrine”, though a few of the photos are of our families (oops!). We have a hallway that is yet to be filled with more photos and art, and I anticipate that will be something I share on the blog in the future :).
2) Have flowers and plants.
[From DIY Succulent Box]
I refer to this little area near the living room window as our mini garden. We’ve had a lot of losses since this photo was taken (succulents CAN die, guys), but also many additions to our family of green friends. I think especially with apartment living, it can feel really disconnected from the outdoors, so plants and flowers bring in some much needed life, literally.
3) Decorate for seasons and holidays.
[From Fall Centerpiece]
I used to have this misconception that decorating for holidays is more elaborate and expensive than it’s worth, but that is not true at ALL. Being festive can be as simple as bringing in the season’s colors, like with the warm yellow sunflowers that got me excited for last fall. I’ve learned that whatever makes you feel spirited or look forward to the season and holidays ahead is always worth spending some time embracing in your home.
4) Display books.
[From Mirrored Vanity Trays]
I’m new to seeing how books add a lot of personality to the home, and as I’ve mentioned before, this has encouraged me to ditch the e-books and go back to good old-fashioned paper books. This isn’t to say you should only get books just to display them (though I’ll be real… I’m tempted a lot to buy a book because it’s pretty), but display the ones you have and play around with arranging them, like I did with the vanity tray above. Infusing your place with your interests will always help you feel more at home.
5) Play with lighting.
[From H&M Candle Holders]
Ok, so I’m still working on this one. The lighting in my apartment is, simply put, bad, and with fixture changes not being an option, I’ve found that the easiest and most economical way to change up lighting in terms of setting a mood is with candles. We all know how cozy it feels to be sitting by candlelight, right? I love how something so little can make such a big difference on the way I feel. I’m maybe addicted to candles.
It’s fun to look back on little bits of what I’ve done so far and see the progress I’ve made not only with my apartment, but with this blog! I’m looking forward to stepping up the homey this year, and maybe even add more tips to this series as I learn them myself.
What do you do to make your place more homey, whether it’s something I have or haven’t mentioned? I’d love to know and pick up some tips from you guys!
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You don’t know how glad I feel to know that I’m not the only succulent killer. :P
I would say curtains make a huge difference! It makes a room feel less rent-y/temporary. I also have a bunch of frames that I’m waiting to nail onto the walls. :P
Good tips! I think adding texture with things like baskets and pillows makes a space feel homey too. Hope you had a wonderful holiday. And I agree this So Cal weather is amazing!
Glad you had fun in Chicago, but I agree, I much prefer the warmer weather! I love this post and it is so true how little things can really make a difference in your home. Have a great week, Amy!
At this point, I’d probably be willing to move to sunny California myself, Boston was a balmy 18 degrees yesterday. I feel like just adding a couple of accents to any room to make it more than just being functional make it feel more lived in and homey. I usually employ a combination of the ideas you’ve listed, except as a notorious plant killer I opt for cut flowers (turns out bamboo plants die too, little known fact :) )
So Cal weather for the win! I even thought of heading to the beach it has been that nice! What great tips for making your place more homey! I am a huge believer in lots and lots of photos:) Happy New Year Amy!
Love these tips–pinning this for sure! I grew up in Chicago and I have to agree with you that it’s just too cold! Especially this week!
I host a weekly linky party on Sunday nights. Our party is still open and I would love it if you’d link this post and any others up! We love to see great ideas like this!
Great tips, Amy! We struggle with lighting in our apartment as well. I really need to get more candles! I would also say that using regular light bulbs (rather than CFLs) helps to make lighting more inviting and homey. Yes, the CFLs save energy, and usually I’m 100% behind that—but the crappy white flourescent glare is awful! Nice soft yellow lighting is the way to go in the living spaces. :)
I really need to step up my plant game. I try to have flowers in the house, but I’ve never really done actual live plants.
Great tips Amy! I just wish I could keep real plants alive… I generally kill them off fairly quickly:(
Love these tips! I’ve always need ideas on how to make my apartment feel more homey. Pinning :)
*Visiting from Craft Dictator Craft Frenzy Friday*
The succulent garden is just like my daughters. I love it. Thanks for sharing your “homey” tips. Linda
Awesome tips!! I have books displayed in every room of our house, no joke! That’s my favorite tip :)
The plants rule is so important, not only for the homey feeling but it really does help clean the air in your house. Great tips!
Great tips! Some of this is stuff that’s easily forgotten in home decor.
Greetings from chilly Minnesota! I’m new to your blog and enjoyed your post on making a homier home. I’d like to offer a few ideas that also help house become home:
1) Hang a wreath or something welcoming on the front door. I have a gorgeous autumn leaf wreath that’s on our front door in Oct. and Nov., and in mid March I hang a cute Easter/Spring plaque which announces spring has sprung.
2) Set a theme or color scheme for each room or area. My bathroom has a beachy, seashell feel to it, which I achieved by using seashell themed accessories and wall decor, and includes teal/aqua colored towels, candle and shower curtain. My mom’s kitchen has a rooster theme to it, which includes her dish towels, pot holders, and rugs.
3) Display something that is uniquely “you.” Whether it’s your collection of agates, spoons or your prized guitar, show it off in a way and place that you and your guests can enjoy it.
Hi Amy – love all of your great tips! Thank you so much for joining us and sharing at Best of the Weekend – pinned! Hope you have a fantastic week!