Does Your house feel like home?

What kind of place is home? Is it a physical structure, state of mind, location, or all of the above? If you do not feel like you belong somewhere, especially in a place where you live and sleep, it is not home, at least from my perspective. The feeling of home can really affect us mentally while we recover from a stressful day, secure from the external world, and where we truly belong. Would your home look more safe and cozy or more dynamic for your own self-expression? Me, personally, I prefer using the home to express myself and try new things to the walls and furniture, but that’s what gives me power over my home. There are also several areas in the home that are “supposed” to have different levels of security and privacy.

A great example is the entrance of your home. Imagine your perfect home: does the entrance have a place for your keys and shoes, or does it have a long table with every detail perfectly placed? There are so many things that you can do to your own home, but it is up to you to figure out the ideal home for yourself. If I could choose, I would have an enclosed space for all of my shoes, coats, dog leashes, and keys all in one nice wardrobe while also having beautiful, detailed décor surrounding me. How great would it be to have your first impression of your home be grand?

Well, what if you do not know what you want for your home? You’ve done all you could, but there is an awkward space you’re not sure what to do with or a multi-functional space that feels hectic. I’d like to say that you can look at it from a rhetoric stance: persuade yourself and look at your space from the spectacles of Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. “Logos” or logic, can be used to observe your space in a purely functional manner. What do you need for your home and what purpose does it serve? “Ethos” or ethics, can represent the passions you have in life, and accomplishments you have achieved. For instance, if you are a musician, you should feel free to display your work, instruments, and awards in a space that can be observed. Lastly “Pathos” or emotion, can be shown through your emotional attachment to a space. Do you have any photos of friends or family hanging up? This can be more than friends or family, even pet beds and blankets, items you have acquired from memorable times in your life, and other factors can go into your “Pathos.” All three, Logos, Ethos, and Pathos, can tie together to make a beautiful home the way you want.

Now more than ever, the COVID-19 Pandemic keeping us inside can really help us look at the interior of our homes. Using your Logos, what would you feel is functional? Maybe an office, separated from the other areas of the home for maximized privacy. This should have function, filled with items and materials needed immediately within reach just like a regular office.

Take some time throughout your day to step back and look at your home. Is it a place you absolutely love, or is there something that could be added? This is entirely up to you as an individual, but make sure your needs are met and your house is a home.