Saturday, March 21, 2015

SMALL SPACE LIVING: A HAPPY HOME

What makes a home a happy place to live? Is it the size of the house? Is it perfect decor? Is it the best cooked meals?

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We spend so much of our lives trying to fit into the mold of having the perfect home, but do all of those perfect photos we find on the internet and in magazines represent a happy home?

A happy home has nothing to do with size, having perfect decor, or being the greatest cook. It is a place where we can close the door and know that we can be ourselves without judgement, a place that is functional for our specific needs without having to be perfect, a place full of laughter.

I like a tidy house, but my house is never perfectly clean, because I am busy living life. My younger sister likes a very clean house without many things to clutter it up. My older sister lives in total chaos. The mess she lives in drives me crazy, but she says it makes her happy. We are each different, but we are each happy when we are in our own homes. 

 A happy home is not about style or size, it is about the people who live there.

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P.S. You can find more of my small space living series here and on my small space board on Pinterest here.
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27 comments
  1. Diana StuderMarch 21, 2015 at 1:46 PM

    getting frazzled as renovation has us mostly living in the 2 bedrooms and next week the old kitchen goes ... and the new one comes.

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    1. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 10:40 AM

      I hope all of your renovations are finished soon, Diana so you can enjoy your new spaces. :)

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  2. sweetbriardreamsMarch 21, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    Absolutely, the people inside are what makes the home, everything else is material. A beautiful thought provoking post Laura xx

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    1. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 10:41 AM

      Thank you, Chel. It is the people and the joy that we will remember.

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  3. Brenda PruittMarch 21, 2015 at 2:59 PM

    I think I am happiest in this smallest of homes for me. I can be me. I don't feel judged. I like my cozy little abode.
    Brenda

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    1. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 10:43 AM

      Isn't it amazing how our perspective changes, Brenda. All of those things that we acquired and thought we needed to be happy weren't necessary at all.

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  4. Kathy @ Smile for no ReasonMarch 21, 2015 at 4:56 PM

    We live in a small house just at 1000 sq. feet. I will not lie some days I would like a larger house. But when warmer temperatures are here, I will be outside and not in the house much. I will be playing in my flower beds.
    Have a great day!

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  5. MelanieMarch 21, 2015 at 9:53 PM

    I totally agree! I live in a modest ranch house with a basement, but I love my little home. We may not have a lot of money to re-do rooms and there's still so much that needs to be done, but we make do with what we have and I love to decorate and try and make things pretty. As long as me and my husband are happy here (and our son, when he comes home from university) - and our friends and family feel comfortable here, too - then that's all that counts. A house full of love and comfort!

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    1. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 10:48 AM

      I often think we worry so much about other's expectations that we simply forget about just relaxing and being happy in our homes. Sounds like you have found the happiness, Melanie.

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  6. handmade by amaliaMarch 22, 2015 at 1:25 AM

    I agree completely, nobody would object o having more but the secret is to be happy with what you have.
    Loved the sneak peak of your bedroom :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 10:50 AM

      Thanks, Amalia. I may not get the bedroom cleaned up anytime soon. It's spring and the outdoors is calling my name.

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  7. AnonymousMarch 22, 2015 at 1:49 AM

    So true! I often find myself longing for a bigger house, but as you say, that is not the path to happiness. We live in a state of semi-controlled mess over here! ;-)

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    1. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 10:52 AM

      I love the term semi-controlled mess. I will definitely be borrowing it. :)

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  8. Holly @ Down to Earth StyleMarch 22, 2015 at 5:22 AM

    I agree! I love to be home with my family. They are home bodies too, which makes me feel good knowing they are comfortable. Sweet post, Laura,

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    1. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 10:54 AM

      Thank you, Holly. A house full of home bodies sounds wonderful.

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  9. JMarch 22, 2015 at 9:53 AM

    I feel so guilty thinking this sometime, but I entertain the fantasy of living in a tiny one room cabin in the middle of a story book forest with just my pets. Ah the peace! And then I'd last a week until I missed the space and a husband who doesn't mind cleaning litter boxes for me.....but still.......

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    1. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 10:56 AM

      I think many of us entertain that fantasy from time to time. Thanks for the smile this morning.

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  10. Tina@WhatWeKeepMarch 22, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    Agreed! And love your "verbal donations"!

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  11. DD's CottageMarch 22, 2015 at 10:46 AM

    I live in a fairly small farmhouse with my family and right now it is very small since we are only living in parts of during our remodel. I personally neat to have things neat and clean without being a freak about it, but to each their own in your home!

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  12. SImple and Serene LivingMarch 22, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    Absolutely. The thing to remember is that your home is not a competition. It is a place that makes you happy.

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  13. JunkchiccottageMarch 22, 2015 at 11:34 AM

    This is so great Laura. It is how we feel when we are in our homes that make it a home. Big or small doesn't matter it is how you surround your self in the things that you love and make you comfy. Our home should be our sanctuary to go to and feel safe and feel love.
    Kris

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  14. ClaudiaMarch 22, 2015 at 11:46 AM

    We have our share of what I call "Creative Clutter" -

    I told this story on the blog once before. We had a technician from our cable company come to the house. He walked in the kitchen door, stopped and said, " This is a happy house. I go in a lot of houses and I know. This is a happy house." The nicest thing anyone has ever or could ever say about our home.

    xo
    Claudia

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  15. GwenMarch 22, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    present forced remodel/reno aside, I'm all about the peace and tranquility of home. it's why outside, on my patio, reading, is SUCH a priority for me. :)

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  16. KellyMarch 22, 2015 at 7:59 PM

    Yes I agree. I'm certainly happiest in my own home. I like things clean and organized but it doesn't stay that way all the time since there are 4 of us living under one roof. But, I agree that's its the dynamics of the family that make it "home", not the pocessions.

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  17. Ronda@islandmotherMarch 23, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    I have peace and that to me is priceless.

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