How to Love the Home You Have Right Now

Hi Friends!!

Recently, I was replying to a sweet comment after sharing some cozy fall updates from around our home, and it reminded me — creating a home you love truly takes time.

This coming spring, we’ll celebrate five years in this house, which feels wild to think about! But it’s also a beautiful reminder that all the little changes we’ve made have added up to create a space that finally feels like us.

When we first moved in, we couldn’t afford all the updates I dreamed of, but that didn’t stop me from loving our home along the way. I painted, rearranged furniture, and slowly made small improvements. Each step made our house feel more like home.

Living Room – 4 months after moving in.

Living Room – 4 years after moving in.

Learning to Love the “In-Between” Seasons

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we can’t love our homes until they look like our dream Pinterest boards. But that’s a lie that steals the joy of where we are right now.

In my book Making Your Home Meaningful, I share how important it is to find contentment with your home, even when it’s not “done.” I prayed for this home for years — and I don’t want to rush through the blessing of living in it by constantly comparing it to someone else’s finished space.

If you’ve been struggling with discontentment, here are a few simple, practical ways to rekindle your love for your home right now.

1. Start by Cleaning

It may sound simple, but cleaning is one of the quickest ways to shift your perspective.

When clutter takes over, it’s hard to appreciate what we already have. A quick tidy-up or power-cleaning session can make your home feel fresh and instantly more enjoyable to be in.

Cleaning helps me move from complaining to gratitude — and the best part? It’s completely free.

2. Organize, Purge, and Donate

If you don’t have the time or budget for a renovation, decluttering is a powerful way to breathe new life into your home.

Go through drawers, closets, and bins — decide what to keep, what to toss, and what to donate. Focus on one space at a time to avoid overwhelm.

Pay special attention to your “drop zones” — those areas where clutter piles up fast. Add baskets, hooks, or trays to keep things organized. Small wins like these make your home feel lighter and more intentional.

3. Write a Home Project List

When I’m dreaming about updates but can’t start them yet, I write them down.

Make a list for each room with all the projects you’d love to do someday — big or small.

Example: Bedroom Project List:

• Paint walls a lighter color
• Replace bedside lamps
• Add new throw pillows
• Hang artwork
• Add a soft area rug

Seeing it on paper helps organize your thoughts — and often, it inspires action. You might realize there’s one small thing you can do today!

We don’t have the funds yet to give our guest bathroom the makeover I envision for the space, but that didn’t stop me from refreshing the space with a fresh coat of paint, some new light fixtures and artwork! Click HERE to see the Refresh.

4. Make One Tiny Change at a Time

When your home feels a little stale, give it some love with one small update.

Office Door Makeover – Click Here.

Maybe that’s a fresh coat of paint, re-styling your shelves, or updating a light fixture. I’ve even been known to paint an old lamp just to give it new life!

You don’t need a big budget to refresh your space — sometimes all it takes is creativity and a little heart. When we pour love into our homes, they have a way of pouring it right back into us.

Our dining room (shown below) is proof that all I needed was creativity and time for the space to evolve.

October 2021

October 2025

Finding Joy in the Process

Your home doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. It’s the small, intentional steps — and the memories made in between — that make it special.

Keep loving your home, even when it’s unfinished. Every project, every moment, every season is shaping it into the home you always dreamed of.