“Talking about someone who makes you happy actually makes you happy.”
-Elizabeth Scott
Busy, busy in the dining room this week. Palette knife painting at one end of my great-great-grandad’s table, and t-shirt packing on the other. I love having a huge space to work on right there in the heart of our home, but I do sort of wish all my “stuff” wasn’t the first thing our visitors see. Oh well, I read an article recently that said messes (creative, cooking, or crafting-related) and hobbies are part of a happy person’s home. Whew! 😉
The article also listed plants, hand-me-downs, and “almost used up luxuries”. Reminded me that I want to order one of those Snickerdoodle candles Liz was talking about the other day. The one in our living room is almost used up, after all. 😉
Seriously though, it got me thinking about what other kinds of things the happiest people I know all have in their homes. Poof, poof, poof! I smiled just seeing all their happy faces inside my head. 🙂 Then I thought about their homes…what things did they all have in common? Collections? Lots of books? Pets? Music? A second refrigerator?
Might have to make room for one of those. 😉
What do you think? As far as “stuff”, what kinds of things do your happy people all have in their homes?
The happy people I know have pictures of family, throws or blankets to snuggle in, pretty mugs for hot drinks. They have laughter and music.
They have home cooked meals.
The happiest people I know have the Scriptures displayed and try their best to live out their faith. The happiest people I know have joy! That’s what makes them the most fun thing to have in their home. And the most fun to have in ours.;)
^WSS( What she said)
loved ones, marked up scriptures, to-do lists, something borrowed in need of return, fresh produce
Yay… totally agreed with the list. Where did you get your rug underneath the dinning table?
Love this post and the previous answers. Happy people also have pets. My little pound puppy and found cat make us smile every single day. 🙂
I agree. My rescued kitties make me very happy!
The happy people I know have decorative things on display in their homes that aren’t necessarily something that fits their style or that they would have chosen themselves, but they display it because someone they love gave it to them, or a child made it and they wouldn’t hurt that kid’s feelings for the world. They love the item because it reminds them of the giver.
P.S. I LOVE the way your chairs turned out! Perfect!
Well said. My husband’s paintings are on the wall–most, but not all, are my style … same thing with my kid’s artwork … the love that went into making these items makes them beautiful.
This POST made me happy!!!
Love you, sweet Kim Wood. XO 🙂
Wow, it’s so different for everyone. I’m inclined to say a calm environment including music, candles, tea and lots of books. I love having a project but hate seeing the mess while it goes on. That part doesn’t make me happy haha. What makes a happy home, to me, depends on the person or people that are on it. I can think of many lovely homes that aren’t happy and some not so lovely homes that are very happy. Is it a home filled with good attitude and gratitude? Those are the things it takes to make a happy home. The rest “is icing on the cake.”
So true, Kathy! 😀 And I probably should have clarified- the article was talking about being in the moment when you have a “fun mess” going on. Birthday parties, cooking dinner, craft projects, etc. They mentioned “not obsessing about the mess” while you’re in the middle of those kinds of things.
And I think the article was also strictly talking about similar tangible “stuff” they found in happy people’s homes. (vs. feelings, policies, etc) It took me a minute to think of it strictly from that perspective too. My brain actually wanted to think of it from the “5 Things In Homes That Make People Happy” perspective, but that’s not really what the article was about either. I also don’t think it was a “lovely vs. not so lovely” thing. More like an experiment in finding a common group of “things” that happy people all seem to have in their homes. Kinda fun to think about, isn’t it? I’m still thinking about similarities today- LOL! 😀
Great post! I would love you to do a post on how you paint. Love the canvas you are working on that is on the dinning room table. I am recently retired and would love to take up painting. I really like your style! My husband and I are currently re-doing our fireplace. Your fireplace re-do is my inspiration! Thanks for sharing your home and life with us!
The second refrigerator comment made me smile. ? Stocked and ready for friends and family to visit. Happy indeed!
Happy homes have Faith, Family and friends. Some of those are present and some of those are photos, reminders, sayings etc.
Yes! 😀 (But I did just want to re-mention, the article was actually about the similar stuff they found in each *happy person’s* home…vs. *what makes a home happy*. 😉 I had to take a couple glances back at the article to make sure I had read it right, too!) 😀
A large table, family to fill the large table and lots of food. A garden, loved ones and lots of pets.
Ooh! A large table…good one, Nan! 😀 When I think about my *happy people*, I realize, they all have large tables, too!
A happy home has laughter from friends and family, stuff and art that makes you smile, food to share and always a door open to others to join.
Amen, Sister! 😀 The Apartment Therapy article was actually about the similar “stuff” the writer found in happy people’s homes (vs. things that make a home or people feel happy), but I love everything on your list, too! XO
A pet…or 2…or 3, lol. Books! Something that makes you think of someone else, like a photo, picture, knick-knack, or coffee mug…
A happy home has an open door and no “do not touch”-rules. Nothing that is just for show but lots of flowers and books and laughter and love
Thanks, Anne! As far as tangible “things”, my happy people have lots of books (and often have flowers) in their homes too! 😀
Looking around our happy home, my list would be family heirlooms, treasured photos, plants, natural objects (like sticks, stones and pinecones!) and handmade things. I have antique tools from ancestors in shadowboxes on our walls and just knowing that they held and used them, makes me happy!
I love it! I think all my happy people have all those things in their homes too, Pam! 😀
A big cushy chair, a toybox, crayons and scrap paper, a wall calendar with birthdays marked, and refrigerator magnets to keep treasured creations out where everyone can see them!
What makes a happy home.. A loving husband.. One that I know God brought us together…
I agree, Maggie! 😀 This post was actually about 5 “things” happy people all have in their homes. (Kind of a “what they all have in common” kind of thing), but lots of my “happy people” all have happy hubbies, too! 😀
Big table is good, thinking of what make me smile in my home. When I come home from work, and nobody has been there all day, I love seeing the mess in my living room- couch with my grandmas’ afghan,where me son lays and talks with us, when he gets home. My chair, my husbands chair- dirty dishes-( last night snack we all had.) Things my 20 and 25 year old kids have handmade for me and their dad. Messages on our big chalkboard in the kitchen, and messed up pillows. We also have a second fridge- in the garage for the outside parties, and bon fires. Kinda weird but I love we have a garage- my husband and son go there to build, fix, repair, and bond- that makes me smile. I find I smile at messes-it’s great to have family to make those messes.
art. art seems to be in the home of happy people. happy people see pretty things all around them and are happy.
art and photos of loved ones.
🙂
The happy homes I know have lots of light coming through their windows (and candles to be lit on dark days), coffee or tea brewing, lots of books, music playing, laughter, good and simple meals cooking or planned, green plants, plenty of comfy seating and pillows, and pictures of family and friends on the fridge and the walls.
Happy people know Jesus! They have gently used, worn hand-me-downs from their loved ones that they would not think of getting rid of. They have aged photographs of family, grandparents, aunts, uncles. They have “just enough” to make do, “just enough” to be comfortable and “just enough” to share.
The happiest people I know have lots of hand-me-downs and family photos, too, Vicki! 😀 (And Jesus, but he’s not “stuff”- LOL!)
When I was a young girl, I always loved going to my friends house where her mother was always ‘happy’ (joyful). Some of the “stuff” that I remember most in their home was a glass candy dish and a glass domed cake stand (with cake or cookies, always!) So I have a candy dish sitting around and yep a domed cake stand(s)! I have several vintage cake stands (they make me happy)!
How about just less stuff and clutter. Purging always makes me feel better!
I love purging too, Lorrie! 😀 This article was actually about 5 tangible things the author found in all of her happy friends’ homes, but “purge” would be a cool one to add to a “5 ways to feel happier in your home” post! 😀
Amen sister!!
Rocking chair, lemonade/iced tea pitcher, muffin tins, atlas or maps, and a teddy bear!!
I think that “happy” people should have lots of photos and art projects and decorative items from (or of) loved ones. Small piles of stuff lies around, but no so much that it’s overwhelming. Yummy food fills the pantry.
As far as un-tangible things, I think that love and Jesus truly make a happy home.
I loved this post!
Yay! Thanks, Lauren!
And I agree, my happy friends all have art projects, decorative items from loved ones, small piles of stuff and yummy food in their pantries too! 🙂
Windows with lots of light, at thin layer of dust that shows there is always something better to do than clean, tomatoes stright from the vine resting on the counter, and photos of the people and places that bring joy.
Your home is already looking cozy and well put together. I can’t wait to see what’s coming up next! And thank you for the give away!!
I would say scripture on the walls, fresh flowers, vintage/antique items from happier simpler times, candles, cozy throws and pillows, and a pet or two or three. ☺️? Outside of “tangible” items I would have to say Jesus Christ as the center of the home and him first above all, then all else falls right into its proper happy place. ?
Hm, stuff that happy people have…pets, comfy furniture, big table, loved ones (do they count as stuff? Lol), comfy throws, and flowers/greenery.
hi layla,
loved your post today, just got back from LA my son ended his bike trip ther so i went out to spend a week together before he goes in the navy reserve . anyway what i wanted to do most was go to the rosebowl flea market so we did got there bright and early and i was talking to a lady with a vintage lighting booth and she asked me where i was from and i said alabama and she said do you live near prattville and she said she followed your blog and told me to tell you you are known at the rose bowl flea market ! i told her i live in cecil right down the road from you , if you ever go to halls store to get bbq stop by and see me i am right beside maconeast school i have a antique etc store !
In my season of life a Happy Home is one that is clean with strategic messes, like a clean kitchen with a pile of dishes in the sink and the smell of yummy food still in the air. It’s the constant noise of life, laundry machine, music, giggles, and the sound of tiny feet running overhead. Freshly cut grass with animals chasing each other and tumbling around the yard, wide open front doors with neighbors that just walk right in and yell that they’re stealing your last 3 eggs, and going to bed dead tired to find out that you already have three stuffed animals tucked in sleeping peacefully on your side of the bed. I know none of that is what the article was talking about, but everyone else gave my answers 😉
Side note: Layla I am so excited for the time to come when you and Kevin will be hearing those tiny feet jump out of bed and run down the hall or finding those random stuffed animals secretly tucked into your bed. You will giggle and get misty eyed at the most simple things and I am praying that your little Sweet P gets to come home to you soon!
Hi Layla! Hmmm….things that make a home happy…old things with lots of rust, happy colors, rescued fur babies, just baked homemade treats, photos of everyone you love!
P.S. Your canvas intrigued me…I’ve been thinking about trying my hand at painting with a palette knife. Hopefully, a how to post is in the works?
Happy people love candles and candy!!
Love your thoughtful musings Layla! Love the other responses (pets! music!)
A few other thoughts:
1. projects-in-progress: whether it be craft, home-improvement, whatever your hobby. It says to me you are motivated to start, but have so many happy things going on can’t quite get it all done and are ok with that. (yay! messes are a good thing!)
2. a place to congregate and just be together. usually the big table (with food!), but maybe a great porch with rocking chairs or patio with cozy chairs. Every house is different but there is always that place where people migrate to.
4. pillows! there is something about being able to lounge on something fluffy that says “i really like being here”
I love this exercise Layla!
My “happy”, in no particular order – Our family pictures because all 7 children are grown, so our pictures are daily reminders! My old cameras that rest next to my pictures of course, my 2 fur babies Murphy (65 lbs) and Molly (6 lbs), my collection of sand/shells from all our beach vacations (I can hear and smell the ocean whenever I look at them), my Bible (it speaks for itself).