I just love it when things in my home are “just so.” It gives me such a sense of satisfaction, peace, harmony and contentment.
I think the reason it’s so important to me is because disorder hurts. Chaos and living in a junk drawer is stressful and we want our homes to be restful, peaceful, harmonious and as welcoming as a warm hug.
I think there’s genuine joy to be found in the domestic discipline of ordering and tidying your home. I think there’s also joy to be had when you fill your rooms with furnishings and art and pillows and blankets and trinkets, books, heirlooms and treasures passed down through your family.
Making things “just so” can take as many forms as there are individuals in this world. Some people prefer minimalism and owning very few items. Others like to cram as much as they can into their homes, while still others take it to the extreme and overflow their homes.
What about for people who straddle the middle ground, though?
Those of us who like our stuff and want to keep it. We may not have to look at everything all the time but we like to know it’s still in our possession somewhere in our house.
That’s why I like rotating my treasures and trinkets and knick knacks for display.
Whether it’s a season-specific decor piece or an anytime of year piece, rotating these items in and out of the regular room decor helps to keep things fresh and feeling new, yet familiar. Every time you go back to your storage space to make some swaps, it’s like finding a treasure.
In my ideal world, I would have a dedicated storage space for bins housing my treasures. Everything would be labeled and inventoried (you can get my inventory sheets, here!).
I actually do have the luxury of having these spaces in my home. However, they are currently overrun with decades of accumulated stuff. I will be sharing those stories of decluttering with you over the coming months and over in the Brilliant Ideas category.
For now, I thought I’d share my approach for getting my home “just so” for the cozy season.
Step one: A little bit extra care tidying
I naturally prefer a tidy living space. But for welcoming in a new season, particularly, this one when the temperatures dip and the weather can be blustery and rainy, I like to make a little bit more of an effort to tidy, switch some items out, move them around, etc. Just general piddling, putzing, whatever you like to call it. Edit the visuals so that seasonal pieces can be added without appearing to be too over the top. You know, making it just so!
Step two: Optimizing blanket options
Blankets are the best for cozying up. Whether on your own with a cup of steaming tea and a book or with friends sipping wine and nibbling on treats, wrapping yourself in a soft blanket is key. Now’s a great time to freshly launder any or give a really good shake and airing out. If you have warmer options, now’s the perfect time to pull them out!
Step three: Creating the mood lighting
I quite like it when the sun sets earlier and earlier. It gives me such a sense of peace, quiet and coziness that speaks to my soul. It’s as though the earlier evenings are an invitation to slow down and rest. Not being an “over the head light” kinda gal, I prefer soft lamp light or the flicker of candles to bright nighttime lighting. If I put on the lamps, I turn the knob to the lowest setting. I’ll turn on a few electric tea lights and enjoy the warmth of my favorite blanket.
Step four: Add layers with calming seasonal scents
Coziness isn’t just for what our eyes can see and what our hands can feel. I like to add a rich layer all of my senses by diffusing essential oils that evoke an autumnal response. Scents like clove, cinnamon, orange, nutmeg and vanilla add to that fallish atmosphere.
I hope these approaches to creating an autumnal coziness inspires you to try the same in your home!
