We’re all aware of the big five of the human senses, right? Sight, Smell, Hearing, Taste, and Touch.
Decluttering and tidying as it has been popularized recently, primarily focuses on Sight. What does your home look like? Is it aesthetically pleasing? Is it clean? Is it tidy? Do you have a nice-looking yard? When selling a house, the things that tend to sell the house are how the kitchen, bathrooms and landscaping look.
I love to focus on visual aesthetics. I was raised by artists and my Bachelors degree is in Fine Arts. Visual appeal means a lot to me.
But, what about those other senses? They need some love, too. Let’s break each of them down:
Sight
What do you see when you look around your home? Color? Chaos? Emptiness? Clutter? Intentionally designed or decorated space? Haphazard, unplanned beauty? Haphazard, unplanned insanity?
Find something you like the look of. Ask yourself what it is about that thing or space that you like. What feelings come up?
This is your blueprint when decorating or designing the rest of your home.
Find something you dislike the look of and ask the same questions. This is what to avoid.
Begin to remove or add as that criteria dictates until you’ve created a space you love.
Smell
Different smells are pleasing to different people. Smells can also bring up memories, good and bad. The smell of a home can even indicate the health of the home. Does it smell like flowers and sunshine? Is it fresh and clean smelling? Does it smell like wet dog? Spoiled milk? Gas?
My husband has anosmia: the inability to smell. So, I’m the one responsible for smelling things like gas leaks. No pressure. It also means he misses out on some of the smell-associated touches in our house. Bummer. He can taste some smells, though. It’s weird, I know. I discovered that diffusing lemon-eucalyptus essential oil and wintergreen essential oil in the living room allows him to experience smell in what is a pleasing way for him.
My point? Get creative.
Linen sprays, flowers, candles, essential oil diffusers, cleaning products with pleasant smells, essential oils on wool dryer balls for your clothes, the list goes on.
Hearing
We miss this one a lot.
Stop and listen to your home. What do you hear?
The TV? Multiple people on Netflix, YouTube, video games, etc., in different rooms? Silence? Music? Laughter? Yelling? Animals purring, sniffing, playing, chewing, barking, breathing…
What do you want to hear?
If you want to make a significant change, as in everyone has to use headphones, you’ll need to call a family meeting.
If you want to hang chimes in the tree outside, make sure it isn’t going to make anyone you live with nuts.
If you want silent time every day, how can you make that happen?
Be intentional in deciding what the sound of home is for you.
Taste
Your home is a space you eat a lot of meals and snacks in. What feelings and sensations do those foods and drinks bring forth?
It may seem odd to focus on something that you taste when thinking about the overall aesthetic of your home, but we aren’t only talking about how others experience your home. We’re also creating a full experience for you.
Be mindful of the foods that are eaten in your home. Instead of deciding if they are healthy or bad for you, aid in weight loss or are guilty pleasures, focus on how those tastes enhance your relationship with your home.
A soothing home is a place you can digest in peace.
Touch
This is a big one!
Years ago, I decided to treat us to a new couch from Walter E Smith. They had the design and let me loose on the fabric for the couch itself and the accompanying pillows.
That poor sales woman was so patient with me. I knew the couch had to be soft. It had to have a texture you wanted to sit on. Something comfortable and comforting. It also needed to not have so much texture as to invite the claws of our cats.
Two hours later I had found a fabric we still enjoy. I didn’t put that much attention into the pillows ended up getting rid of them because they weren’t as cozy a texture. Nice patterns, uninviting touch.
What items do you need to feel a certain way? Sheets and comforters? Decorative pillows? Throw blankets? Flooring? Textured walls? Countertops? The grip on your kitchen tools? The flow of the water from your shower head?
Take some time to touch your home. Notice if things are pleasing or irritating. Make changes as needed.
A Total Experience
This is how you, your partner, your children, pets, friends and anyone else who comes to your home experiences the space.
Be mindful and intentional. Do take the input or concerns of others in the house into account when making changes.
Enjoy the space you spend so much life in!
Getting your mind wrapped around all of this and putting together a cohesive plan can feel daunting, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. We’ll set up some coaching and curate a plan that will transform your home and you.