How to Make a Home a Place Where Others Like to Be

Growing up our house was the “fun house.” Our friends were always hanging out with my family. Our friends would even help us with our chores or family yard day. When I got married my husband and I both desired to make our home a place where others wanted to be. My husband and I recently built our first home! It’s all very exciting and very scary. Never have I felt more of a responsibility to really make my home a safe haven, a place in the world but not of the world, and a place where others want to gather.

This past weekend my entire family gathered to my new home to celebrate my son’s Birthday! I was humbled that my family wanted to be here.  I didn’t just want this weekend to be a fun weekend – I wanted my family to feel welcomed, warm, and loved when they set foot in my home. It’s really important for others to feel warmth and comfortable when they visit. Over time this is something I have thought about over and over…..what makes people want to be in your home? I truly feel that you have the power to create the environment and feel of your home. What you allow into your home and what you don’t bring into your home sets the mood.

I love to host, my husband and I both are very social. As we have people in our home I’ve narrowed it down to the little key secrets that help make your home a place people want to be!

1.  Food, Treats, all of it! Our motto in our house is if you leave the Marshall home hungry, it’s your own fault! I remember my Father in Law giving us advice to making your home the party house. He said, “It’s expensive, you have the treats and order the pizza on Friday Night. It costs a lot sometimes, but it’s worth it to know who your kids are hanging out with.” So, with that, 90% of the time there are fresh chocolate chip cookies in the cookie jar ready to be eaten. Sometimes I’m tired from making another batch of cookies, but people love it and appreciate it, and it’s something they will always remember about coming to the Marshall Home. Food just makes people happy and I want people to be happy when they are at my home.
2. Holiday Decorations! There is something magical to walking into a home that has Christmas Lights or American Flags lining the driveway. Celebrating holidays bring people together, so carry it throughout your home! It doesn’t mean you have to go all out, but even a simple pumpkin spice candle creates warmth and comfort of fall. People notice it!
3. Music! I know this is a random one, but it’s one that I have personally seen have effect on the home. Music brings people together. I love having background music on in my home. It creates memories. Still to this day my sisters and I will grab a spatula and sing music from the Wicked Soundtrack at the top of our lungs in my Mom’s kitchen.
4. Treat your Spouse with Love! Walking into a home where you know the couple love and respect each other goes a long way. My husband and I have a friendly banter. But no one can deny that we love each other and are best friends. No one wants to walk into a home where the couple fight constantly, that’s just awkward.
5. Be present when guests are over! One thing that my husband and I really strive to do is be present when others are in our home. We engage in them. We aren’t doing work or social media. We are having conversations or playing games. Make the person feel important when they are in your home.

I saw a quote once that read, “When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence.” That quote struck me. At the end of the day, it’s not about how big your house is or what your house looks like compared to Instagram. It’s about the spirit in your home. The people who fill it and the memories you make there.

What are some of your ways you make your home a place people want to be?

-Hayley

{Hayley is a beautiful southern mama with the cutest little boy. She is amazing at decor and loves turning her home into a place everyone wants to be. She is a professional wedding and event planner, sunshine seeker, and believes life should be celebrated, not just endured. You can find her over @hayleycmarsh on Instagram.}