Hi! Welcome to my very first blog post. I’m so glad that you’re here! In full transparency, I haven’t written anything for myself in years, so getting back into the creative flow of writing may take some time—bear with me.

I thought today we could explore the idea of creating a home that feels peaceful and welcoming. My husband and I have been talking a lot about this recently and what it entails for us. For us, a peaceful home means fewer arguments and more intentional, positive interactions. It means cleaning more frequently and with a better attitude. It also means improving our communication and setting aside intentional time to connect.

Why is a Peaceful Home Important?

A peaceful home isn’t just about aesthetics—it has real benefits. Research shows that a clutter-free environment can lead to greater mental clarity and decreased stress. Studies also indicate that a clean home can positively impact mental and emotional well-being (Newport Healthcare).

A peaceful home is also Biblical. Proverbs 24:3-4 says, "By wisdom, a house is built, and through understanding, it is established; through knowledge, its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." To me, my children are those rare and beautiful treasures, and I must cultivate wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in my home to create an environment of peace.

The Impact of Conflict in the Home

Living in a home filled with unrest is draining—mentally, physically, and spiritually. Did you know that fighting with your spouse can trigger a stress response? Stress activates the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which affects heart rate, blood pressure, and even digestion (NCBI). That means after an argument, you may feel physically exhausted, nauseous, or even tense.

When our home is at peace, our nervous systems can rest. We feel safer, more connected, and more emotionally available to our family members.

Steps to Creating a Peaceful, Welcoming Home

1. Recognize That Your Home May Not Be Peaceful

I struggled with this. I thought a clean, organized home meant a peaceful home, but I still fought with my husband. Then we had our first child, and suddenly, I didn’t want to raise my voice at all.

Recognizing that your home lacks peace requires self-reflection and honesty. It's easy to blame circumstances, children’s behavior, or a partner’s habits, but true change begins with acknowledging what’s within your control. Ask yourself: How do I contribute to the tension in my home? What small habits am I holding onto that disrupt the peace? Sometimes, the first step is simply admitting that things aren’t as peaceful as they could be—and that’s okay. Awareness is the starting point for transformation.

2. Apologize and Practice Humility

I had to admit that I was part of the problem. Apologizing when I raised my voice—even to my daughter—was uncomfortable, but necessary. Saying, "I’m sorry I got frustrated, can I have a hug?" has helped change the tone in our home.

Humility in the home isn’t just about apologizing when you’re wrong—it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. It means listening without defensiveness, choosing to let go of the need to be right, and understanding that peace often requires sacrifice. A humble heart softens interactions and paves the way for deeper connection. If you struggle with pride (like I do), try pausing before responding in frustration and asking yourself, Is my reaction helping or harming the peace in our home?

3. Prioritize Quality Time Together

Our family takes daily walks together, and this has become one of our most peaceful, intentional habits. Walking together means no phones, no distractions—just us. We talk about our day, discuss theology, play would you rather?, and simply enjoy each other's presence.

Here are three additional ways to prioritize quality time together:

Technology-Free Meals – Make family meals a sacred time by eliminating screens and focusing on meaningful conversations. Use conversation starter questions or share highlights from your day.
Weekly Family Traditions – Establish a special weekly tradition like a game night, Sunday morning pancakes, or Friday movie night. Predictable routines create lasting memories and strengthen bonds.
Intentional One-on-One Time – Set aside dedicated time for each family member, whether it’s a short walk with your spouse or a craft project with your child. Even 10–15 minutes of focused attention can deepen relationships.

4. Declutter and Simplify

A cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind. Studies show that excess clutter increases cortisol levels, leading to higher stress and anxiety (Psychology Today).

Steps to Decluttering Effectively:

Start small – One drawer, one shelf, one space at a time.

What is one area in my home that feels the most overwhelming, and why?
If I could only keep five items in this space, what would they be?

Create a system – Label bins for items to keep, donate, or discard.

Does this item bring me joy or serve a meaningful purpose?
Have I used this item in the past six months? If not, why am I keeping it?

Maintain it – Spend 10 minutes at the end of each day tidying up.

What habits can I build to ensure clutter doesn’t creep back into my home?
How can I involve my family in maintaining a tidy space?

5. Incorporate Natural Elements

Bringing nature into your home can improve mood and air quality. Studies from NASA’s Clean Air Study found that certain plants, like snake plants, spider plants, and peace lilies, can filter toxins from the air (NASA).

Here are some beginner-friendly ways to incorporate natural elements:

Add Indoor Plants – Start with low-maintenance air-purifying plants like pothos, peace lilies, or snake plants. I say low-maintenance because adding another task to the things you do as a mom can be a lot. I don’t water my plants every week, sometimes I’ll even go two or three weeks (yikes) without watering them. But that’s what’s so nice about being a low-maintenance plant, they almost always come back once you do water them! I also just love looking at my plants, I think they make our apartment look so much nicer and bring a little more nature into our space.
Use Natural Materials – Incorporate wood, stone, or cotton textiles in furniture and decor. I love a nice warm wood feature in our home. We have some darker walnut tables with black fixtures that are complimented by our cream couch. I would love to use some stone fixtures in our future house, but for now we stick with woods and cotton textiles.
Maximize Natural Light – Open curtains, use sheer drapes, and position mirrors to reflect sunlight. I love having natural light come into our apartment. The very first thing I do in the mornings is open all of our curtains and let the light in. I just feel happier with the curtains open. We have a nice backyard that we look out on and seeing the sun play across the yard also just makes me happier in the morning.
Bring in Fresh Air – Regularly open windows to improve air circulation and refresh your space. Spring through fall, you will find over 90% of our windows open. I absolutely LOVE bringing in the fresh air! Even in the winter, if I feel the air is too stale, I'll turn the heat down and open the windows to let the fresh air in for at least twenty minutes. Random side note, did you know that babies in Scandinavian countries often sleep outside—even in the winter? Studies suggest that outdoor naps improve sleep quality, strengthen the immune system, and contribute to overall well-being (Bebe au Lait). This just makes me feel better about opening our windows in the winter!
Create a Nature Corner – Dedicate a small space for flowers, a tabletop herb garden, or a water feature for a calming effect. For kids, you can create a "mud kitchen," which is an outdoor play area where children can engage in imaginative, sensory-rich play with natural elements like dirt, water, and leaves. My daughter isn’t quite old enough for a mud kitchen yet but I’m already planning on what things to include in hers! I have always enjoyed cooking and being outside and when I came across the idea of a mud kitchen, it just seemed like the perfect combination of those enjoyments!

6. Switch to Non-Toxic Home Essentials

Choosing non-toxic cleaning products and furniture creates a healthier environment. We’ve swapped candles for diffusers and use non-toxic cleaning solutions from EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. And when I say "we," I mean "me." I haven't gotten my husband away from candles in his office, but we're a diffuser-only family throughout the rest of the house. Remember, this non-toxic switch can take time, and it's not all-or-nothing at once. Be patient with yourself and your family when learning more about this.

Here are some easy swaps for beginners:

Cleaning Products – Replace chemical-laden sprays with vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap-based cleaners. I just found Force of Nature and am giving them a try. They have these little activator capsules of vinegar that are great non-toxic alternatives and can be used on so many different areas in your home.
Candles & Air Fresheners – Opt for essential oil diffusers or beeswax candles instead of synthetic fragrances. I love candles but like I said, I don’t do candles anymore. I’ve tried doing beeswax candles but I haven’t had much luck with finding truly non-toxic beeswax candles. If you do find some quality beeswax candles, drop your suggestions in the comments section because I would love to check them out!

Cookware – Swap non-stick pans (which can release toxins) for stainless steel, glass, or cast iron. You can check out my Amazon storefront for my favorite cookware (and other non-toxic) swaps. I am slowly working my way through swapping out my whole kitchen. I prefer stainless steel and glass over cast iron, but that’s just my preference.
Food Storage – Ditch plastic containers and opt for glass or stainless steel alternatives. Such an easy swap! And honestly, I’ve also hated plastic containers. I feel like they always have a gross smell and never really clean thoroughly.
Laundry & Dish Soaps – Choose eco-friendly, fragrance-free detergents and soaps to reduce skin irritants. I’ve gone through a few different options, but I’m currently using Molly’s Suds for our laundry detergent – unscented because my daughter and I both have sensitive skin and I am quite sensitive to smell, and I stopped using dryer sheets all together. Instead, I use wool dryer balls and they work great. If you want to scent your laundry, you can drop a few drops of essential oil on the wool dryer balls too.

7. Design Cozy, Intentional Spaces

Intentional design helps create a home that feels peaceful. Here’s how we’ve done it:

Reading Nook for Our Daughter – A soft couch, cozy blankets, child-themed bookshelves that she can access on her own, and her Yoto player. She loves her little space. She is often snuggled up on her couch just listening to her Yoto or playing with her toys.
Sports-Themed Office for My Husband – Comfortable seating, sports memorabilia, and warm lighting. I really like to stay out of this space because I think it’s beneficial to both of us to each have a space in our home that is just “for me” and his game room is the perfect place for my husband to get some introverting time.
Outdoor Sanctuary – A fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and string lights for relaxed evenings. We love sitting around a camp fire in the evenings, often with my husband playing his guitar while I’m sipping hot chocolate and looking at the stars. It’s such a peaceful way to spend the evening together and get’s us outside in the fresh air.

Creating peaceful spaces isn’t about having a Pinterest-perfect home—it’s about crafting areas that invite rest, joy, and connection. Think about the spaces in your home where you naturally gravitate to. Are they cluttered? Is the lighting too harsh? Do they make you feel relaxed or anxious? Simple adjustments—like adding soft lighting, warm colors, or natural textures—can completely shift the atmosphere of a room. Cozy blankets, essential oil diffusers, and even soft instrumental music can enhance the sense of calm. When designing these spaces, focus on how they make you feel, not just how they look. What small changes can you make today to create a more peaceful environment in your home?

Conclusion

Creating a peaceful and welcoming home requires intentionality—through humility, communication, decluttering, and designing functional spaces. It’s about creating an environment where you and your loved ones feel safe, nurtured, and connected. By making small, mindful changes, you can build a home that truly reflects peace and joy.

I’ve created a free printable checklist with actionable steps to help you on this journey.

What’s one small change you’ve made that has brought more peace to your home? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your success stories!

How Do I Create a Home that Feels Peaceful and Welcoming?

The Untamed Mama