Combat Chaos And Create Calm In Your Home

February 8, 2012 By

Keeping up with our busy schedules can be a challenge. We live in a fast paced society, and kids are in so many activities, that the”hurry scurry” of life can overtake us and does effect the atmosphere in the home.  With three busy boys I find it is a challenge to combat chaos and keep our home feeling serene and calm. There are some tips I have discovered that help our family function at a calmer level.

  • De-clutter main living spaces so everyone feels calm.  Not everywhere in our home has to be perfect, but if the higher traffic areas and sitting areas are kept as simple and clear as possible it makes everyone feel better.
  • Use closed storage for small items that tend to clutter up your spaces. There are so many creative furniture and home organizing items available today, that can be attractive and functional.
  • Plan meals ahead. I often fail at this, but attempt to keep meals planned out. I don’t like it when my kids come to ask “what’s for dinner?”, and I have no idea.  If I know what is for dinner and prep it early, it makes our entire evening go better.
  • Choose pleasing colors for areas that you want to relax as a family or with your spouse.  You will be amazed how when you surround yourself with colors you love how much better you feel. You can do this through paint, simple home accents, and throw pillows.
  • Add real living plants. Green plants add serenity and clean the environment at the same time.
  • Decorate with mirrors. they reflect light and make a room sparkle.
  • Create cozy reading and relaxing spaces where you and your household members can go to have quiet time.
  • Limit electronic time. In our house we encourage time limits to television and electronics.  We encourage reading and creative play with our kids. This is a huge part of creating a calm atmosphere for a family.
  • Turn off the television during meals, and try to get the family together around the table at least a few times out of the week.
  • Burn candles for a nice ambience at any time of the day. Everyone feels special when candles are burning in the home.
  • Add subtle fragrance to your home. Use air fresheners, candles, and earthy potpourris to create a pleasing scent.
  • Play relaxing music. when you want to calm down the atmosphere in your home.  Music can change the mood in our home within minutes.
  • Take time out for you! I have to remind myself of this one all the time.  When we take time out for us, (the keepers of the home) the rest of the house members benefit.
  • This is just some of the simple ways I have found to create calm in our home, and help defuse anxiety.What about you?  What have you found that works for you?
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27 Comments | Filed Under: Decorating
About Denise

Denise is a wife and homeschooling mom who resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She and her family live a simple and fulfilling life on nine acres in a 100 year old farmhouse. Days are never dull with three boys and a constant home improvement project in the works.
Denise loves Jesus, who has set her heart free to find beauty in the midst of the mundane. As a result of her past experiences, Denise has a passion to encourage moms and women to find their true identity in the Lord. You can find Denise writing at her blog Denise In Bloom

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  • https://www.facebook.com/LongabergerLifestyle Diane@LongabergerLifestyle

    I love it! My take-a-way is that I need to be intentional…keeping me eyes on the end result, having a peaceful home. I’m sure most of our choices for our homes are based on ‘liking’ something or making ‘it’ work. Denise, you’ve helped give purpose and intentionality to what we do for our homes. Yay!

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Yes Diane, I am an advocate for intentional living and my mission for the way I live daily life, which can translate to our homes as well.

  • http://twitter.com/moretobe Lisa

    Great suggestions, Denise. I’ve put many of those actions in place in my home. I’ve also found that keeping healthy boundaries leads to a tremendous amount of peace in my home. When I am off the computer and off the phone, focusing on the family, there is always more peace!

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Yes! I couldn’t agree more Lisa. The life of electronics, computers, phones and outside noise can really keep us from peace. Shutting it all off is a beautiful thing!

  • Arabah Joy

    Denise, I love these suggestions and use many of them as well.

    One other thing that helps me personally not be so chaotic is to try not to multi-task. I know that sounds crazy (and impossible!), but it really helps to focus on one thing at a time. If I’m interupted by a child, for example, I immediately stop what I was doing and give the child my full attention. Believe it or not, my husband has modeled this so well, that’s where I learned it! (And we all know that men aren’t great multi-taskers…)

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Great input! Yes stopping for our children and giving them full attention prevents a lot of conflict and not trying to multi task. Love that idea. Yes those men of ours weren’t gifted with Multi-tasking, and we can learn from them! Thanks for sharing

    • Anonymous

      Arabah I love that!!! I would love a post on that! Let me know if you would like to do a guest post because that topic would be perfect! :)

      • Arabah Joy

        Would love to! I’ll email you…

  • Meghan Carver

    De-cluttering is SO hard with six children in a relatively small house, but I’ll keep trying. Thank you for the great suggestions!

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Oh my Meghan it is constant in my home. De-cluttering is a perpetual project around my home. I say just try one main room that matter most. I also have a small house and we really live all over it, so the challenge is great. Hang in there.

    • http://twitter.com/RachelWojo Rachel Wojnarowski

      I sooo get ya, Girl! We’re learning to simplify as much as possible, but still have a ways to go!

  • Susan Heid

    You always have such great tips! I love having the house smell good – with candles and air fresheners that aren’t too strong – just right. Music is a biggie too, less TV and more light music. It creates the sanctuary I need in the busy day and I know my family needs -even if they don’t know they do! Mother knows best!

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Yes Susan, moms do know best. If we didn’t do these things our families would miss them. We are the ones to see the overall picture and help to implement the needed effect we desire.

      Thanks for always encouraging me.

  • http://twitter.com/YoungWifesGuide Jami Leigh

    Oh I just love this! Having “calm” in my home is something that I am always striving for! It’s my main motivation for cleaning up and lighting candles :) Having a calm restful place to come home to after a long stressful busy day can make all the difference. Thanks for the tips :)

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Jami,
      It sounds like you have this “calm” thing figured out well. Keep striving and moving forward. It is challenging but we can try our best as keepers of our homes.

  • http://candelierious.blogspot.com Lis

    Wonderful suggestions!

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Thanks Lis for stopping by.

  • Cyndi Spivey

    All those are great ideas and most of them I do except I struggle with the planning of meals. My week goes so much better if I do it.
    Blessings,
    Cyndi

  • Laura Forslund

    I most certainly am calmer when I am homeschooling my two boys and I have my Bible on the table when they are doing individual work. I read as they work and it always helps for peace in our home.

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Great idea Laura. Love that. Reading the Bible while they do school. : )

  • http://www.lifebetweenthebuns.blogspot.com/ Jacquelyn Stager

    What a beautiful blog and a nice post! I’m a grandma now but have kids here several days a week…I have done and do most of the things you mentioned to try to keep things calm around here! Another simple and free thing to do is to let the sunshine in! I open all the blinds and curtains in the morning to give the rooms a light and airy feeling. Also artificial lighting like small lamps in a kitchen or bathroom can lend a feeling of ambience and calm. Another thing that makes ME feel calm is having “surfaces” cleaned off…like the kitchen counter, the kitchen table, end tables, bathroom vanities, etc. When these get overly cluttered I feel out of control and anxious. I also target areas like the foyer and keep that presentable and pretty for welcoming guests, and keep a nice seasonal wreath on the front door. We can’t do it ALL, but little things around our home that make us smile all day long go a long way don’t they!

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      Great ideas Jacquelyn! Yes little things here and there make all the difference.

  • http://thechuppies.blogspot.com/ Kara @ The Chuppies

    I tried the candle and music yesterday during our homeschool day…
    We switch in and out of homeschool (T/TH) and classroom setting (M/W/F).
    While I love the option we have, the T/Thursdays can sometimes be really crazy around here…
    Your suggestion honestly did impact/help the atmosphere…(and actually, probably even more– it helped my attitude and mental state–which often greatly influences the whole crew :)
    Love these suggestions Denise…thank you!

    • http://www.deniseinbloom.com Denise In Bloom

      so glad to hear that Kara! Thanks for the feedback. Yes I think I need it more than they do.

  • http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com womenlivingwell

    I love it and I pinned it :) !
    Courtney

  • http://thequeenmommy.com/ Debbie T

    It’s surprising how much calmer my day starts if my kitchen is clean. I am NOT a wash the dishes before bed kind of gal because of all the other evening responsibilities – BUT I am learning that if I will take an extra 15 and do as much as I can – it makes a HUGE difference to the start of my morning.

    I totally agree with the fragrance thing, too. Vanilla & coffee are scents that immediately calm me – so anytime I can burn a candle or brew a pot of coffee – it makes a difference in how I feel. Great post – I love this!!!