This post is sponsored by Shutterfly. Awaken your space with your vision. Shop Shutterfly Home Decor for personalized home accents that are uniquely you.
Hello! It’s Courtney here. I can’t believe it’s been about 3 months since I moved into my very first apartment!
When I first planned to move here, my design-loving heart got started right away dreaming up decorating plans. I started out with the basics and some accessories I had collected over the years and I was happy about how homey this place felt from the get-go.
But if I’ve learned anything from following along with my mom’s home transformations, it’s that creating a home is a process. Slowly but surely I’ve been making this home more personal. And of course, now that it’s fall nesting time, I’m all about bringing in the cozy vibes.
The last time I shared my space here on the blog, one of you commented that it looks like a ‘happy place.’ I love that! It got me thinking about ways to make your home spark joy. Who doesn’t want that?
Here are 4 Ways Make Your Home Spark Joy:
1) Sprinkle in memories
There’s something so special about looking around your home and seeing things that remind you of family, friends, pets, travels, etc. These items can tell the story of the people in your life and the good times you have experienced together.
Personal mementos are what set your home apart from a showroom display or a cookie cutter design. The things in our home aren’t what matters most to us, of course, but when the things we are surrounded with are chosen with intention and purpose, they can definitely bring joy.
I’m excited to have my own kitchen and dining space. One of my goals in my own apartment is to invite people over as often as possible. My cheese board is personalized with the word ‘feast’ as a gentle reminder to gather people around my little table to make new memories.
Calendars and custom art with the smiling faces and memories of the people I love is a sure way to spark joy. A customized memo board inspires me! Personally designed items make the most thoughtful gifts, too.
I have many good friends in my life and several of them have been with me since I was in first grade! At Shutterfly I found so many adorable ways to honor those memories and friendships.
2) Decorate with positivity
Filling my home with joy every day is an intentional choice. I love to see motivational words and life quotes that inspire me to keep positive, even when circumstances threaten to weigh me down.
Here are a few customized accessories I have that reflect some of my positive life mottos and encouragements. I was able to easily create these at Shutterfly, and you can, too!
- My ‘Cozy Vibes Only’ blanket was created with this sherpa throw blanket. Add your own photos or positive message (I made mine in Photoshop).
- My ‘No Bad Days’ dish was customized from this catch all tray.
- My ‘Feast’ cutting board can be customized for a gift or a life motto!
- My Treat Yourself biscotti jar was personalized from this glass canister.
What are your own life mottos? How could you incorporate them into your home? Personalize your space so it can tell your story.
3) Set the right mood
A home that ‘sparks joy’ to you doesn’t have to look like the expected ‘joyful’ space (vibrant, fun, cheery decor). Maybe a cozy or moody space sparks joy for you. Or maybe you’re happiest in an eclectic home inspired by your travels or experiences. Or maybe a more minimal style puts your mind at ease! What’s your decorating mood?
Decorating a home should be personal, so it helps to consider what mood brings YOU joy. Embrace it. Make a list of words that describe the mood you’d like to create to get your design wheels turning.
4) Create stress-free zones
Whether you’re a naturally tidy person or feel like a ‘hot mess’ most of the time (no judgement here!), I think we can all agree that having at least some things organized brings us joy. I mean, when you’re trying to get out the door and frantically looking for your phone or your keys and you can’t find them, do you feel joy sparking from your heart? Nope! You feel stress.
There’s more joy in your life when your necessities are right where you expected them to be.
Making organization personal and pretty might seem like a little thing in the grand scheme of life’s demands, but it makes a big impact.
Shutterfly offers many lovely customizable organizational accessories, such as trinket trays and memo boards.
I personalized a sweet little dish with one of my daily mottos “No Bad Days.” It’s a perfect reminder of where to set my phone or keys so I won’t start out the day feeling disorganized.
So when you’re looking for a unique gift or you’re inspired to treat yourself to something special for your home, Shutterfly has customizable products that can bring your heart and vision together.
When I’m ordering a gift, I love it when the products come in special gift boxes or packaging. See a few of examples of Shutterfly’s special packaging below.
This post is sponsored by Shutterfly. Awaken your space with your vision.
Shop Shutterfly Home Decor for personalized home accents that are uniquely you.
See the direct source links below:
Framed photo collage (modern 8×10 frame in rustic with white mat)
Framed Magnetic Board (modern 11×14 frame)
Whimsical Floral Easel Calendar
Hand Drawn Floral Catch All Tray (7 inch round)
Make Your Own Statement Glass Jar (Half Gallon)
Floral Frame Burlap Fleece Photo Blanket (Sherpa lining 50×60)
I’ve always thought it would be cool to personalize a gift for someone but I never thought they would turn out very cute. Courtney, yours turned out so darling! I’m thinking I might have just found my Christmas gifts for this year. In fact, I love that bread board and I want it for myself. Thank you!
So glad to hear that, Amy! Thanks! The bread board is one of my favorite pieces too!
Great post with some wonderful gift ideas! I don’t know if I’m the only one who is having this issue but none of the blue links work to take me to the Shutterfly items.
Oh no! I tested them and they seem to work for me. What happens when you click?
Great pieces and ideas!
For fall I don’t decorate with the typical fall colors. I still love the plum napkins in the last post. I like options!
Courtney,what you’ve created is amazing.
For Fall I like to add color using natural elements, and switch to chocolate brown napkins.
My fall decor is more about the heavy textures rather than the colors. The cable sweater pillows, the plaid throws, the dark woven baskets replacing the white ones from summer, etc. I’m a cool color person so the reds, and oranges are not my cup of tea. I do love the dark browns, as as one person mentioned, the plums and forest greens.
Love your “happy place”! I don’t really decorate that much for fall specifically, but I do have some brick reds and muted pumpkin colors in my rugs and throw pillows that I use all year. So for fall I might just put some branches full of fall leaves in a vase. (Tip: when Japanese maples turn red, trim a few branches and just put them in a vase without water and let them dry. The color will last for years!) I do love those little white pumpkins in a gold bowl, too, as a centerpiece. Other than that, I just bring out the cozy throws for the sofa and make a cup of tea to go with some homemade oatmeal cookies. And I love those plum napkins, too!
I am traditional, all the way. I love orange and white pumpkins, burnt orange and cream candles and multi coloured table runners. I go all out in the fall because it is my favourite season.
Courtney your apartment is beautiful and welcoming! You’ve done a great job infusing it with things meaningful to you.
For fall decorating I love fall colors – the reds, oranges, greens and browns that are true to nature and more subdued than vibrant. I also love white pumpkins, wood tones, metallic elements and topography. Fall is my favorite season!
I like decorating with traditional Fall colors (orange, yellow, red…), but do like seeing how people decorate with other colors for Fall as well.
Courtney, your place is so cute!
I love the traditional fall colors, orange, yellow, reds and greens. It’s my favorite time of the year.
Though I’m not an orange gal, I do love the richness of the traditional fall colors. It’s what sets the seasonal decor apart from other times of the year and if done tastefully, I believe a few touches of those colors can work in any home and with any design. Rich golds, burnt oranges, and deep reds warm a space and give that cozy autumn feel to a home.
Beautiful apartment! I have been struggling with the fall question this year -to use color or not to use color. Color won. I can’t imagine not letting Autumn into my home.
Hi Courtney, what great ideas! I never knew these existed! I want to send someone a personalized gift ? now. Thanks for the tips!
I like some of the traditional colors of fall but mix them with a lot of neutral colors to soften the look. Like many of the real looking artificial gourds and pumpkins .
I love this post!!!! I need to be reminded to add these little touches of personality to my home! xoxo
Wow, I love all that you created. I will definitely have to head over to Shutterfly and design a few things! Love all that you do!