5 After 5, Ways to Make Home Homey

Fall is the time when our thoughts turn to everything comfy and cozy around the house.  What are your top ways to make your home homey?  Share them here at this week's edition of 5 After 5!


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It's time for another round of 5 After 5!  In case you missed it, last week's list was 5 of your favorite pumpkin recipes and if you're new to this series, you can read more about it here - then catch up on all the old editions here.


Today I've got my list of 5 to share, as well as next week's topic for you to stew about over the upcoming days.


And this series is a link party, so be sure to scroll down and join in all the fun with us this week!




List 5 ways you make your home feel homey


Do you decorate for fall?  Bake up certain treats?  Pad around in thick socks and slippers?

Here's what makes me feel more at home:


1.  No shoes


The minute I walk in the door, I've got to get my shoes off. 

This was necessary during all the years I lived in houses with white carpet (yes, I had white carpet and a dog - you knew I was crazy, didn't you?), but I think I'd have done it even if my rugs were black.

There's just something so relaxing about kicking off your shoes and walking through the house, so if I take off my shoes when I walk in your front door, you know I feel at home there!


2.  Background music

That's a record player, in case you're reading this and only 3 seconds old or something!

We love music around here, so something's pretty much always playing in the background.

Whether it's peppy or contemplative, the soundtrack to our lives is very personal and something that helps to make our house feel more like home!

3.  Simmering cinnamon



I used to be a plug-in and scented-candle freak, but that was before I switched almost everything in our home over to more natural alternatives.

I just love walking through the house smelling delicious scents, so if I'm home for a few hours (& not filling the kitchen with he smell of baked cookies), then I've probably got a pot of cinnamon simmering on the stove (actually I use one of those little miniature crockpots to simmer it in, but that doesn't have the same alliterative quality as "simmering on the stove," does it?)

4.  Light from lamps



G and I both love having a lot of light sprinkled throughout a room, but we're into different light bulbs.

I like harsh, bright white light - it just looks so much cleaner!

G likes his light subtle (he's got several lampshades draped with scarves to act as diffusers) and he prefers a warm, yellow glow to my stark hospital glare.

5.  Afghans and blankets - everywhere!


Nothing says homey comfiness like snuggling up under a warm blanket, so why not have them everywhere?

We've got five couches in the house - and each one has an afghan or blanket draped over it.

Each bed? An afghan or blanket folded at the foot.

A giant wicker basket in the corner of the family room?  Filled with afghans and blankets.

And - just in case we have 3,287 people at our house at once, there's a whole trunk sitting in our bedroom filled with extra - What? You guessed it! - afghans and blankets.

You can never have too many and they really help make our house feel more homey!



For next week:


List 5 of the cleverest/cutest costumes you've seen

Next weekend is Halloween (how can the month be over already?), so I'm sharing some of the cleverest costumes I've ever seen - I can't wait to see which ones you've discovered!



And now, here's this week's link party!  Two other fabulous bloggers have teamed up with me to create lists of five each week and we hope that you'll join us, too!



That's right, every post will be read, pinned and tweeted!  

Every Saturday, just stop by one of our three blogs to add your own list of five, then pop over and read as many other posts as you're able to each week - treat it like a true party and really mix it up and mingle with our fun little community!

The rules are simple:  just write your own list following the prompt each week (feel free to interpret it loosely - or in a unique way!), follow each of the three hosts on the social media channel of your choice, and then get into the spirit of the party by grabbing your favorite beverage or snack and reading the lists of the other party-goers.



Your Hosts:

Lisa, at Syncopated MamaFacebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Google+ // Bloglovin'
Samantha, at Motivated DaysTwitter // Pinterest // Google+ 
Heather Marie at Life, Love, and LasagnaFacebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram // Bloglovin'


What's your list?  I'd love to hear!  Either leave a comment below or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.

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