A Tour of Simple Living: The Entryway and Living Room

Do you feel a pull toward simplicity but aren’t sure what that looks like in practice? Let’s find out together. Today, I’m beginning a new series where I'll take you on a tour of my home over the next few weeks.

I want to show you that a simplified home can be both functional and beautiful. I don’t live with excess, but I do have everything I need, and I’ve tailored every space to fit my family's lifestyle. This series isn't meant to be prescriptive; our homes should always be unique to our tastes, seasons of life, and family demographics. My goal is simply to use my own home to show you that less truly is more. (These are true, real life snapshots of my spaces. No cleanup beforehand!)

The Hardworking Mudroom

Immediately upon entering, you'll find a small mudroom that doubles as our garage access. This is a hardworking space! We have hooks for coats, purses, backpacks, and reusable bags. We use the bench for putting on shoes or staging items that need to be returned or gifted. Below the bench, my daughters each have a bin for the miscellaneous items they need to grab before heading out the door.

Next to the bench is a small black dresser that serves as our charging station. The top drawer holds tech essentials—charging blocks, cords, and screen protectors—along with my sunglasses and keys. The remaining drawers hold winter gear, organized so everything we need is right at our fingertips as we leave.

The Entry Hallway & Curation

In the hallway, an antique buffet stores my home decor. I use the drawers for candle care—everything from lighters and wick snips to the taper candles we light every evening at dinner. I also keep a few extra vases and seasonal accents here.

Nearby, built-in shelves in an arched alcove display my favorite thrifted finds and family antiques. A simple home doesn't have to be a boring one; it just means decor is carefully curated rather than scattered everywhere.

The Living Space

Our main living room is comfortable, cozy, and intentional. We have plenty of seating, with a few throw pillows and blankets to add softness. We keep our individual blankets in a single basket for easy snuggling during evening movies.

To keep the visual clutter down, the cabinets flanking the fireplace house our games, puzzles, and a basket of toys for my granddaughter. Even our photo albums are tucked away in a cherished antique trunk—out of sight, but easy to reach when we want to reminisce.

Finding Peace

And that’s it. A place for everything, and everything in its place. I keep very little "backstock," and I choose decor that brings beauty rather than distraction. Because these items aren't seasonal, I don't have to spend my life rotating them. They are simple, meaningful, and they foster the peace I want my home to offer.

When I walk through the door or sit on the couch, I can breathe deeply, content and focused on the things that truly matter... which aren’t "things" at all.

Simply,

Stefani