We’ve lived in this house a little over four years. In past homes it usually took me around four to six years before I truly felt “at home.” Not that I didn’t enjoy living there earlier, but it seems to take a few years to settle back into routines and make a place feel like mine.
Moving is exciting in many ways, but it’s also disruptive. After so many moves over the years I’ve learned it often takes more time, effort and patience than you expect to create a comfortable, familiar rhythm in a new place.
I imagine it would be easier to feel settled right away if you moved into a custom-built or perfectly tailored home, but I haven’t had that experience. Regardless of the house, making it feel like your own takes creativity and time.
That’s why I wanted to start the new year with a “State of the House” update for 2020.
If you missed my 2019 in review post, see it on my site.
In case you missed the news or are wondering: we are NOT moving. Unless something unexpected happens, we plan to stay here for a while—maybe for years. Knowing our decisions and investments will serve us long-term feels both comforting and inspiring as the year begins.
I still enjoy dreaming about the “perfect” house—it’s part of who I am and even inspired my book Love the Home You Have—but I also love the idea of making this house a true forever home. We’re used to moving every four to six years, and being able to stay and enjoy our projects long-term feels like a gift.
Staying put lets us build memories in familiar spaces and find joy in everyday rhythms. It also gives us time to add personality and refine the vision we’ve started, making every corner feel more like home.
We have concrete plans for the year, so expect more updates and reveals from both me and my daughters. I’m most excited about projects that add charm and character—those small details bring me the most joy.
I’m also focused on improving function and order: more decluttering, tidying and organizing. Many areas of the house are still as they were the day we moved in; we simply placed things where they would fit and never revisited them. It’s time to zero in on organization and create more purposeful systems.
If organizing your home is part of your goals this year, my books offer tips and strategies.
I’m especially eager to address the layout and furnishings in our lower level—watch for a special announcement soon—and to finally tackle long-awaited bathroom updates. This spring and summer we’ll return to outdoor projects too, prioritizing the front yard to boost curb appeal on a budget.
Making incremental improvements, adding character, and improving function are the goals this year. I want our home to feel more intentional and welcoming in every room.
Do you have plans for your home this year? I’d love to hear about them.
Happy New Year to you all!
If you didn’t see my 2019 in review post yet, check it out on my site.