Making the most of the home you have today
It’s easy to imagine that somewhere else must be better. A newer house, a bigger kitchen, a freshly remodeled bathroom—surely then it would be easier to love your home. But the truth is, a beautiful, welcoming home isn’t something you find by moving or upgrading.
If you have been around for a while you will have read the post and seen the video on moving towards minimalism. In the post and video I shared our year long journey of purging and simplifying our whole home. One of the unexpected benefits was with spaces that were easier to manage and well organized I loved my home even more than before! It was this “tending” that endeared me to our home.
A home is beautiful when it is loved. It’s something you create by caring for what you already have. The grass isn’t greener on the other side. It’s greener where it’s tended.
Small Acts, Big Impact
We often think of home projects in terms of big milestones—renovations, new furniture, grand design updates. But sometimes, the most powerful way to transform a home isn’t by changing it, but by caring for it. This can be purging, cleaning, or mending what you have.
- Polishing copper & brass.
- Sweeping floors.
- Cleaning windows.
- Fluffing pillows.
- Pulling weeds.
- Folding throw blankets.
These small, almost invisible acts of care breathe life into your home. They’re what make a space feel loved—and love is what makes a house feel alive.
Pride in Stewardship — and Gratitude in Ownership
There’s a quiet dignity in taking pride in what you have, even if it isn’t exactly what you dream of. A clean, cared-for home always feels better than a neglected, expensive one. If you are feeling a bit discouraged about where your home is take 20 minutes and clean something ~ it will give you a sense of satisfaction every time!
You might not have designer drapes yet. Lovely wallpaper might be sitting on your wish list. But a tidy entryway, a table set for dinner, or a garden that’s been lovingly weeded and watered can be just as powerful in making a home feel warm and welcoming.
“Care is a kind of beauty all its own.“
And along with care comes something equally powerful: gratitude.
Gratitude shifts our focus.
Instead of seeing only what we lack, we begin to see the gifts right in front of us—the roof over our heads, the floor under our feet, the small corner of the world we get to call ours.
When you approach your home with gratitude, even the imperfections soften. That squeaky door, that uneven floorboard, that secondhand table—all of it becomes part of a life that’s been entrusted to you. Caring for it becomes less of a chore and more of an act of joyful stewardship.
Gratitude in ownership reminds us: this home, right here, right now, is a blessing.
Contentment Grows When You Nurture It
When you tend what you have, something happens: you start to love it more. The chipped dresser you dust weekly becomes a beloved piece of your story. The tiny kitchen you wipe down after every meal becomes a place of nourishment and connection. The living room you vacuum and rearrange feels cozy and inviting, no matter how humble it is. Contentment doesn’t come from having more. It comes from appreciating, and caring for, what’s already yours.
If you find yourself wishing for greener pastures, pause and look around. Maybe what you have just needs a little more tending—a little more care, a little more love. A home is made beautiful not just by what’s in it, but by the hands and hearts that care for it. Until next time,
Take care,
Rachel
