How do we create a home that reflects what’s meaningful in our lives? Winston Churchill once remarked that we shape our dwellings, and later, they shape us.

At Sömn Home, we see design as much more than an expression of aesthetic preferences. It can be a commentary on where we are in our journey, filled with carefully chosen mementos and objects that speak to our values, experiences, and accomplishments. The spaces we live in can make us feel stagnant or supported, which is why we created an article about how to create a home that’s reflective and authentic.

Whether it’s an apartment, multiple, or single-family residence, a home packed full of meaningful mementos or with clean walls and beautifully exposed beams, our home plays a role in our mental health and can be used to enhance feelings of belonging and fulfillment.

A Sanctuary of Well-Being

If the home is a canvas that reflects and supports our inner self, it’s worth considering how it should look. Why should we surround ourselves with design dictated by trendy fads and other people’s preferences?

Artfully curating a home means creating rooms where you feel at peace, with different spaces designed to reflect and even enhance purpose. For example, those drawn to nature may take inspiration from biophilic design in the bedroom, targeting furniture, objects, and sustainable, luxurious linens that capture the longing for authenticity and tranquillity through warm, earthy palettes that produce a calm mood and relax the senses, supporting rest and sleep.

Similarly, for a meditation space, those who thrive in clean, clutter-free environments might look towards minimalism, creating a space with low lighting and comfortable seating, where surfaces like real wood and natural stone boast unique grains and structures that enhance beauty without detracting attention. Consider elements like fragrance, candles, or even a beautiful wabi-sabi tea set to support a space where you can retreat, recharge, and reconnect.

Spaces That Celebrate Passion

Interestingly, not everyone feels at home in their housing. Even in cities like Vancouver, where some families may own multiple properties--none of the spaces may offer true respite or relaxation. It gets even more complicated for people in relationships where aesthetic preferences don’t match. In this case, discussion and compromise may be required to create an environment that supports the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of everyone.

To get started, look around. What feelings does your home evoke–is it comfort or something else? Do the objects represent part of a past you want to hold on to—or does everything feel distant and out of touch? Take inventory of the objects and items, noting the feelings, ideas, and symbolism attached to each.

As we evolve as humans, so do the spaces we inhabit. Our homes should be full of items that represent deeper, more authentic meaning—that reflect who we are, where we came from, or where we’re going. Consider how your needs and desires have changed and how your space can represent this growth as a living, breathing reflection of your life journey as it evolves.

Creating Personalized Spaces for Meaningful Living

• Consider elements, designs and experiences have always caught your eye.
• Integrate elements related to personal passions—books, music, and hobbies.
• Be honest—trends are fun, but a home that resonates can enhance feelings of belonging and improve quality of life.
• Collaborate – professional opinions are always valuable, but it’s up to you to ensure decisions resonate.
• Create a digital mood board with colours, images, words, textures, and pictures defining your preferences.
• Start small—accessories like pillows and throws are a quick, affordable way to start personalizing spaces.
• Embrace change – personal style will evolve—it’s essential to accept that!

If our home is meant to function as a sanctuary, it’s worth using the tools at our disposal to create spaces that relax and uplift, that feel authentic and resonate beyond a superficial level. Home design is more than beautifying a shelter; it’s about creating spaces that support who we are—and help move us toward what we are meant to become.

Today, more than ever, we have many opportunities and resources to create the spaces that tell our story. However, it’s up to us to decide how to articulate our journey and share it with the world.