How I Create a Peaceful Home with Kids: My Favorite Cozy Finds & Intentional Touches
Let’s be honest—our home is rarely spotless. Between toddler art experiments, baby gear, and our golden retriever’s fluff, it’s far from a magazine shoot. But peaceful? Yes. Most days, it truly is.
Over the years, I’ve found a few simple things that help create a calming, cozy vibe even when life is a little chaotic. These little touches make our space feel like a soft place to land—and a home I actually want to be in at the end of the day.
Here are my favorite ways to add peace to our home (without needing silence or spotless floors to get there):
1. Barefoot Dreams Blankets (A Love Story)
They’re splurgey, sure—but I’ve never regretted a single one. They’re warm, weighty, and instantly make any room feel luxe and lived-in. We keep one draped on the couch, and it’s the first thing I reach for after the kids go down. Bonus: they wash well, and my toddler calls it “the soft one.”
2. Real Plants (Even the Sentimental Kind)
We have a peace lily in our living room that came from my grandpa’s funeral in the early 2000s—and somehow, it’s still thriving — it is occasionally grouchy link my grandpa though. Real plants not only purify the air, they quietly anchor a space. They don’t demand anything (other than the occasional watering) and they make the whole home feel more alive and steady.
3. Soft Lighting All Day Long
No overheads unless it’s an emergency — right hubby? (anyone else have a husband that doesn’t understand the little light theory?!) I rely on warm, low lighting from lamps, sconces, and dimmable overheads when necessary. It’s calming, easier on the eyes (especially at night), and makes a room feel like a hug. Pro tip: swap in soft white or amber bulbs and keep them dimmable.
4. Textures That Feel Intentional (and Interesting)
There’s something so grounding about natural textures. Our home is full of layered linens, bamboo blinds, textured pillows, and nubby throws. They add warmth without clutter—and they photograph beautifully, too. Linen curtains that billow in the breeze? Always a yes.
5. Essential Oils That Actually Smell Like a Spa
I’m all for clean scents, but so many diffusers give off that fake lavender vibe. My favorite? The blend they use at Woodhouse Day Spa. I diffuse it in the morning and again after the kids go down—it signals peace, calm, and quiet in the best way. I use this diffuser from Amazon—and it hasn’t quit on me yet. (With 64k reviews, you can’t go wrong!)
6. Family Photos That Remind Us What Matters
Not the perfectly posed kind (though I love those, too)—but the real moments. Candid shots of my babies, our wedding, my parents at the lake, my son holding my daughter for the first time. They’re scattered around the house in simple frames, always reminding me why this space matters. I love rotating the photos as the seasons change too!
Final Thoughts:
Peace at home isn’t about perfection—it’s about how a space makes you feel. Even when the day is messy and loud, these little touches help us all exhale a little deeper.
Want to shop my favorite peaceful home finds? You can browse them all on my Amazon storefront—I update it often with home items we actually use and love.