Intentional Living

I won’t pretend to be an expert on color theory or Feng Shui, but I do know what can help make home feel like a place to actually relax.

When I think of home (be it a studio, 1 bedroom apartment, 5 bedroom house), the one non-negotiable is making sure it is a place to decompress. Life is already stressful. We have work, school, errands, pets and more. But coming home doesn’t have to feel like another chore.

Even if you’re living with other people, whatever space is solely yours should give you a sense of relaxation. A lot of this begins with having things organized in a way that makes sense to you, and making sure to reset before the next day. Whenever I don’t feel like doing something, I remind myself that I’m making things easier for my future self. This helps with doing things intentionally so that the next time I come across an item, it doesn’t cause stress, it provides relief.

Some examples: cleaning the dishes before bed, packing lunch for the next day, taking 5 minutes to organize clutter on a desk.

These tasks may seem daunting in the moment, but it’s better to do them while thinking about it. This way, it doesn’t make you feel a sense of dread when you need it to be done before you can begin another task.

Here are some things I keep in my home to help myself stay regulated and orderly:

Bedroom:

• 2 sets of bedding (so when it’s time to do laundry the bed can always be made)

• A dresser with enough space for essentials. I divide mine like this:

  • Top Drawer: underwear and socks

  • Middle drawer: casual tops (i.e. graphic tees, crop tops, exercise gear) my rule for things in drawers is anything I can avoid having to iron

  • Bottom drawer: Jeans, leggings, shorts (depending on the season); again, things that do not have to be ironed if I take them out

• Shoe Rack/Organizer: this helps to keep shoes in a dedicated area and make space for other items!

• Fragrance Tray—I absolutely love perfumes, so I dedicate a space on top of my dresser for my favorites. It’s best to avoid putting this in an area of direct sunlight, as UV rays can degrade the perfume more quickly. If you’re like me and tend to buy more expensive perfumes, you definitely want them to last as long as possible!

• Plenty of Hangers—for everything that needs to be hung in a closet, including professional clothing for work/school. This makes life so much easier when it’s time to get dressed!

• Iron/Ironing Board: one of my biggest pet peeves is wrinkled clothing! I don’t mind if there are a couple, but if a garment looks like crinkled paper I just get the ick. Iron it out!

  • Alternative: Steaming is a great option because you can steam clothes that are already on a hanger! I haven’t gotten one yet, but I plan to very soon!

• Lint roller: adding to my pet peeves, lint, hair, and pet fur on garments is another huge no-no for me. I always keep a lint roller handy to use after removing wrinkles.

• Rug: getting a nice, plushy rug makes starting the day so nice, especially if you have hardwood floors! The first thing you feel in the morning is a fuzzy, cozy material instead of cold wooden floors.

• Slippers: I also really love walking around in slippers. They provide a sense of stability and comfort while walking around the house.

Bathroom:

• Paper Towel Holder: I keep paper towels around for quick drying and for when guests visit! I primarily will use them for cleaning, as I prefer to dry my hands with a fabric towel to reduce waste, but I keep paper towels in stock nonetheless.

• Soap Holder: bar soap and liquid soap are both great options. I prefer liquid since it’s a bit quicker to use!

• Hand lotion: washing hands can lead to dried out skin, so I like to keep lotion nearby to rehydrate.

• Bathmat: essential to avoid water getting all over the bathroom after a shower. There are many variations ranging from your <$10 ones at walmart to memory foam and stone bath mats!

• Decorative Curtain with Liner: I really enjoy using shower curtains as a way to elevate the bathroom aesthetic! They’re easy to change out and can really brighten the space

• Toilet scrubber and plunger: we hate to discuss these, but they are absolutely essential in any bathroom. You never know when a plunger will be needed, and it’s best to have one available before it’s necessary! Scrubbers are great to remove any residue and get into crevices near the rim while cleaning!

• Toilet Paper holder: it should go without saying, but some buildings don’t come with one built in!

• Over the Showerhead Caddy: These are great for adding space to place soap, shampoo/conditioner, skincare, razors, etc.! One of my first apartments didn’t have any place to store these items and buying a caddy made it so much easier!

• Honorable mention: Eucalyptus. This plant is wonderful for aromatherapy while showering. I like to buy a bundle from Trader Joe’s, roll with rolling pin (or wine bottle, whichever is available first!) to release the scent from the leaves, and attach with to the shower head with twine.

Kitchen:

• Air Fryer: I don’t know when this became an essential item, but I can’t live without one! Depending on size, you can make an entire meal in 30 minutes or less with one of these. It saves a lot of time for those with busy lifestyles.

• Coffee Maker: Coffee is truly that girl. The aroma in the morning is unmatched! And due to it’s popularity, there are so many ways to make coffee, including—

  • Traditional Coffee Maker (don’t forget the filters!)

  • Pour Over

  • Keurig

  • Espresso Machine

  • Moka Pot

  • French Press

• Microwave: If you don’t have one, buy one. I thought I didn’t need it at one of my first apartments and was sorely mistaken. Sometimes you just need things to get hot quickly!

• A good set of knives: if you like to cook, this is essential. Inefficient kitchen tools slow you down and can actually increase the risk of injury!

• A good set of pots/pans: likewise, having good metals to cook with can help your whole process go by more smoothly. These don’t need to cost hundreds of dollars! Just efficient and reliable.

• Sink caddy: Just like a shower caddy, these help organize and create space where there may be none. Store sponges, brushes, and soaps here!

• Bar Stools: If you’re lucky enough to have a bar area in your home, these are essential for extra seating! They don’t have to take up much space, and ideally should fit under the allotted space.

Dining Room:

• A dining table: a small square or circle for limited space; a large rectangle or oval for bigger homes. Whatever works for you! I recommend measuring the space designated for this area and always checking dimensions before purchasing!

• Table cloth: these are so versatile, and I love switching them out according to season (my favorites are fall and winter—especially Christmas!)

• Placemats: These go on top of the table cloth as an added layer of protection from food and spills. Also interchangeable according to season.

• Charger plates: These are decorative plates that add another layer of protection to your table! They also can elevate the look of your dining table depending on style!

• Centerpiece: Changing these per season (i.e. cornucopia for fall, trees for Christmas, flowers for spring) adds such a beautiful touch to the dining room!

Living Room:

• PLANTS!!!! I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful plants are for a home! Adding greenery to your space will literally make you feel more alive and add a sense of life and warmth. Great beginner plants that don’t require too much maintenance are Snake Plants, Chinese Evergreen, Philodendron, Orchids, and Money Trees. FYI, if you have pets, be sure to check which plants are toxic to them before purchasing!

• A good, comfortable couch: after a long day at work/school, all you want to do is just come home and sink into a nice plush couch. So invest in one! I can’t even count the amount of times I’ve come home from work and just napped on the couch until I was ready to do things around the house.

• A coffee table: great for coffee (obviously), drinks, games, and a common space if you’re having guests over!

• TV Tray Table: I don’t know if it’s because I grew up using these, but I can’t seem to let go of them! These are great for me when I want to eat in the living room instead of dining room! Pro tip: make sure you know what show or movie you want to watch before your food gets cold (ask me how I know)

• Coasters: let’s face it. More often than not, we find ourselves with a drink in our hand while we’re sitting in the living room. Avoid damaging furniture by adding some nice, absorbent coasters to your space. I emphasize absorbent because having a coaster that allows liquid to sit on top can still lead to unwanted water damage.

• Games: I think it’s essential to have games, especially if you enjoy hosting or frequently have family/friends visiting. Depending on the game, it may cause some friction (Play Uno and Monopoly at your own risk, my siblings and I will go to war over them!)

That’s all for now! I may add another list of helpful items, but hopefully this provided some insight into making a home feel like home. 🪴🤎