The Art of Homemaking: 60+ Tips for Women Who Love Their Home

Discover 60+ inspiring ideas to elevate homemaking and transform your house into a beautiful, peaceful space. Here are ideas for developing beautiful rituals to care for your home.

The Digest #32

One of the most popular decorating trends for 2025 embraces the concept of “romancing the home.” Styles like Cottagecore, Modern Cottagecore, English Country, and the iconic Nancy Meyers aesthetic are at the top of this list. These styles are effortlessly elegant, blending casual charm with thoughtfully curated decor that elevates everyday living.

As a young homemaker, I discovered two transformative books by Alexandra Stoddard that became my guiding lights for creating a home filled with beauty and meaning. Living a Beautiful Life and Creating A Beautiful Home inspired me to elevate daily routines into cherished rituals and cultivate a serene, inviting space through handpicked details.

Today, there’s a growing movement toward a simpler, nostalgic lifestyle that celebrates the love of home and the timeless art of homemaking. To honor this sentiment, here are 60+ ideas to bring peace, beauty, and joy into your home and elevate the ordinary into something truly extraordinary.

  • Arrange fresh flowers or greenery in vases to brighten up any room.
  • Use matching jars or canisters to store staples like sugar, flour, or coffee.
  • Keep a favorite throw blanket on your couch to create a cozy atmosphere.
  • Light a beautifully scented candle during your morning routine for a soothing start.
  • Fold towels and linens hotel-style to add a luxurious touch to your bathroom or closet.

  • Display fruit in an elegant bowl on your kitchen counter as both decor and a healthy snack option.
  • Add soft lighting to your bedroom with dimmable lamps.
  • Organize your favorite tea or coffee items in a pretty tray or caddy.
  • Create vignettes on bookshelves using books, small plants, and decorative objects.
  • Place a small vase of seasonal blooms on your bedside table for a touch of beauty.
candle on rush top bench
  • Hang a wreath or garland on your door to welcome guests and celebrate the seasons.
  • Use colorful or patterned cloth napkins during meals to elevate even casual dining.
  • Play relaxing music while you cook or clean to make everyday chores more enjoyable.
  • Arrange your cleaning supplies in an attractive caddy or decorative box.
  • Display travel souvenirs or heirloom pieces to add personality to your decor.
  • Eat breakfast on your best china and use a cup and saucer for coffee or tea.
  • Use essential oils in your mop water to leave your floors fresh and fragrant.
  • Plan a Sunday dinner for your family. Set the table the night before.
  • Keep beautiful stationery on a pretty tray and write notes to friends and family.
  • Decorate your pantry with labeled jars and matching storage containers for a cohesive look.
WHITE GERANIUM IN A POT
  • Turn an unused corner into a cozy reading nook with a plush chair and soft lighting.
  • Place a pitcher of infused water with herbs or citrus in the refrigerator.
  • Arrange your dinner table with candles and fresh flowers, even for simple meals.
  • Use soft, neutral tones in your decor to create a calming and timeless aesthetic.
  • Polish your glassware or silverware regularly to keep them sparkling and beautiful.

  • Wear an apron.
  • Keep hand soaps and lotions in matching dispensers for a polished look.
  • Create your own DIY wreaths or floral arrangements for personalized decor.
  • Use baskets or decorative boxes to organize loose items on shelves or tables.
  • Replace standard lighting with stylish pendants or chandeliers for an elevated look.
CREATING A MASON JAR HERB GARDEN-A 10 minute project that will last until fall!
  • Use non-toxic cleaners infused with essential oil. Here is my favorite.
  • Diffuse calming essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus in high-traffic areas of your home.
  • Wrap gifts with handmade or unique materials for a personal touch during celebrations.
  • Arrange herbs or flowers in jars along your kitchen windowsill for a charming look.
  • Store blankets and throws in a wicker basket for easy access and style.
  • Do a load of laundry every day. Take care of your clothing. You are worth the effort.
  • Walk around your property and let the nature next to you fill you with peace.
  • When you take something out, put it away right and enjoy the sense of organization.
  • Strive to live simply and beautifully.
  • Practice the presence of God in every home chore. Thank him.
ZINNIAS IN A KITCHEN SINK
  • Keep seasonal items like candles, wreaths, or decor ready to rotate for a fresh feel.
  • Use framed artwork or photos to add personal character to any room.
  • Dedicate an attractive box with a lid for remote controls.
  • Make your bed with linen sheets. See my favorite sheets here. They get better with age.
  • Place a vintage or handmade bowl or basket near the entryway for keys and mail.

  • Install dimmer switches throughout your home to create adjustable lighting moods.
  • Make baking a weekend tradition, filling your home with warm, inviting aromas.
  • Display handwritten recipes or vintage cookbooks for a nostalgic kitchen touch.
  • Host an impromptu tea party with mismatched china for an intimate, whimsical gathering.
  • Use floral or patterned dish towels to add charm to your kitchen tasks.
CHINOISERIE JAR WITH HYDRANGEAS
  • Set a small table or counter with a coffee or tea station for easy mornings.
  • Repurpose old furniture with paint or new hardware for a fresh look.
  • Keep a notebook or planner handy for homemaking ideas or inspiration.
  • Decorate your bathroom with candles, soft towels, and a pretty soap dish.
  • Display potted herbs in your kitchen for cooking and decor.

  • Rotate pillow covers or curtains seasonally for a quick decor refresh.
  • Decorate bookshelves and bookcases with books and accent decor.
  • Add a beautiful upholstered bench to a dining room table.
  • Frame postcards or small art prints to create a gallery wall.
  • Enjoy everyday tasks like folding laundry by adding a soft playlist or audiobook.
COSMOS IN A WHITE PITCHER ON FOYER TABLE
  • Create a beautiful space in your home for morning devotions.
  • Hang decorative hooks for aprons or coats near your kitchen or entryway.
  • Keep a glass jar filled with cookies or treats on your countertop for a welcoming touch.
  • Organize utensils, tools, or supplies in attractive ceramic jars or baskets.
  • Keep a beautifully bound book as a planner. I love this dot journal I use as a planner.

  • Enjoy polishing your favorite silver or heirloom items as a mindful activity. Vintage silverplate is beautiful and rather inexpensive.
  • Transform an ordinary task, like setting the table, into an artful ritual with layered linens and candles.
  • Clean your kitchen every day while being thankful for the messes. It means you and your family have full bellies! Clean the sink with non-toxic cleaner and polish it with a few drops of essential oil.
  • Teach the younger members of your family how to set a proper table, do their laundry, and other homemaking skills.
  • Spend 15 minutes a day decluttering.
BOWL OF PEACHES ON A KITCHEN COUNTER
  • Hang up your clothes, don’t put them in the dryer.
  • Use scented drawer liner in a pretty floral print.
  • Give something a good scrub! It’s good for your soul!
  • Strive for excellence, be happy with a job well done!
  • Put cherished family pictures in unique silver or gold frames.

In a world that often feels rushed and chaotic, embracing the art of homemaking allows us to slow down, find joy in the little things, and create a sanctuary that reflects love and care. By elevating everyday tasks and infusing beauty into our homes, we enrich our surroundings and nurture our well-being and those with whom we share our spaces. Here’s to celebrating the heart of homemaking and finding delight in the details that make a house truly a home.

pin for post

Happy Decorating!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

14 Comments

  1. Loved this! Take time and be thankful and enjoy what God has given. Many of my friends have health issues, etc and are not able to be as active as they once were. Praising God that I’m still able to do the tasks mentioned, both the big ones and the small ones.

  2. Anita Jamison says:

    I followed Alexandra Stoddard too! I have every book she has ever written. I feel she was way ahead of her time. “A rich of yellow in every room”

  3. Great ideas! What drawer liner do you do you use?

  4. Barbara Boe says:

    I love this. So often we think of caring for our home as drudgery, but the Proverbs 31 woman “looketh well to the ways of her household.” I am amazed at how few younger women today know how to set a proper table. I’m 75 and taught my daughters from the time they were 3 to pick up after themselves, put things in their proper place, and eventually how to set a beautiful table. Thank you for sharing these ideas.

  5. You have taught me to enjoy my home as well as to continue curating.
    For me, it is accomplished inexpensively, often through painting and adding new pillows, throws and organics. Swapping out seasonal items also offers a fresh face to our homes. Thank you for your many years of wonderful encouragement.

    1. Oh, Jane! How nice, you are so welcome! Thanks for being a StoneGable reader for all these years.

  6. Love these! My mom gave me the Alexandra Stoddard books a long time ago. I reread every now and then for inspiration.

  7. Cathy Rosaia says:

    Yvonne, after following you for so many years, I just want to say how much I enjoy your advice, faith, wisdom and style. You remind me to be mindful of my home and how it represents me every day!

    1. Thank you Cathy! I’m so honored you have been a part of the StoneGable family for so long! Happy New Year!