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5 Books That Have Helped Create A Haven

Hilary January 26, 2017

Books about home (especially these 5!) can help a lot as you create a haven.

Books about home (especially these 5!) can help a lot as you create a haven.

I love Pinterest and all of the great home ideas you can find and curate. But there’s something special about books.

Books about home – home design, home management – are like a gold mine to me. I enjoy diving in to what the author has to say about so many aspects of his or her home. I love looking at glossy photographs. I like figuring out how to care for my home more effectively. And I appreciate all of the ideas and inspiration I can glean from the pages.

I’ve realized that while I’ve read a lot of books about homes, five stand out to me as my own essentials. (I own all five of them, and while one is dog-eared, three of these hard-covered books are almost like new, because I’ve been so careful with them, even though I’ve read them – and re-read them – often.)

These five books have helped me establish my home and transform it into a haven.

In case you’re looking for inspirational ideas for your home, here are the 5 books that have helped me create a haven in my home:

1. Chris Madden’s Guide to Personalizing Your Home: Simple, Beautiful Ideas for Every Room by Chris Madden

This is one of the first home books I ever owned, and it’s my all-time favorite. I love how Madden gives home décor ideas for every room and every personality type. I can remember studying page after page while I lived in my tiny one-bedroom apartment – all the while dreaming of a family and house of my own someday. I’ve used her ideas no matter where I’ve lived.

2. Welcome Home: Creating Your Own Place of Beauty and Love by Emilie Barnes

Emilie Barnes’ books on home and homemaking are legendary. (She’s written 70 of them!) I’ve really enjoyed Welcome Home and have used her ideas and perspective to create a haven for my family. While her decorating style may be much different than my own, I love all of the ideas she has shared.

In researching this post, I was surprised to discover that Barnes passed away in September.

3. The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful by Myquillyn Smith

Smith’s sage advice that “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful” is something I live by. I love that she shares her imperfect beauty, though, in her book – and I love that it’s filled with so much wise advice and interesting home ideas.

4. Living Simply: Choosing Less in a World of More by Joanne Heim

Since Heim’s book was my introduction to simple living, it opened my eyes to a different way of life. While it’s not just about homes – and there are no photos in it – it’s filled with ideas for any home.

5. Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind & Soul by Ruth Soukup

One of my biggest current challenges in caring for my home is clutter. About half of my home is clutter free, and the other half is clutter filled. Unstuffed has helped me with my decluttering process, and it’s filled with so much advice to get to the heart of my clutter problem. It also includes plenty of practical decluttering tips.

(I’ve found that Marie Kondo’s books The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy also give a lot of great decluttering advice.)

While I love the way these five books about home have helped me create a haven, I’m always looking for new ones to give me fresh ideas and help with my perspective. Do you have any suggestions?

Books about home can help a lot as you create a haven.

What are some of your favorite books about home that have helped you create a haven?

Disclosure: Links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that, at no added cost to you, I may make a commission on products purchased through these links. Thank you for supporting this website!

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Hilary
Hilary
Hilary Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, homeschooling mama, and writer who believes every Christian woman can transform her home into a haven. She's happiest when she's hosting friends and family for dinner, going on date nights with her husband, singing along to the radio while driving her kids around, enjoying live performances, relaxing on family vacations at the beach, and spending cozy family nights at home.The author of several books, Hilary loves to encourage her e-mail subscribers!
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Related posts:

The Incredibly Important Secret to Creating a Haven
What to Do – & What Not to Do – to Create a Haven for Kids
How to Create a Haven You and Your Family Will Love
5 Ways to Transform Your Bedroom Into a Couple's Haven

Filed Under: Haven Creation 5 Comments

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About Hilary

Hilary Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, homeschooling mama, and writer who believes every Christian woman can transform her home into a haven. She's happiest when she's hosting friends and family for dinner, going on date nights with her husband, singing along to the radio while driving her kids around, enjoying live performances, relaxing on family vacations at the beach, and spending cozy family nights at home. The author of several books, Hilary loves to encourage her e-mail subscribers!

Lovely comments

  1. Kim Miller says

    January 31, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    Hilary, I like the book The House that Cleans Itself by Mindy Clark. What a great title. And there is helpful advice inside.

    Reply
  2. amb says

    February 1, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer (oldie but goodie!) and The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson (still reading it myself)!

    Reply
    • Hilary says

      February 1, 2017 at 3:40 pm

      Oh, thank you for the suggestions! I love Sally Clarkson’s books, so I’m sure it’s a good one. And I’d love to read The Hidden Art of Homemaking!

      Reply
  3. Barb from CNY says

    June 29, 2018 at 3:16 pm

    Joanne Heim’s book was my introduction to simplicity too! I have read several of these but am adding the others to my to be read list. Thanks for the suggestions!

    Reply
  4. Sarah Ann Wong says

    August 27, 2019 at 11:33 pm

    My latest “go-to” homekeeping book is, “Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House” by Cheryl Mendelson. The author has a personable style and provides a lot of practical information.”The American Woman’s Home” by Catharine E. Beecher & Harriet Beecher Stowe is another favorite. I primarily turn to it for philosophy and inspiration.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Hilary! Click here to learn more about me ... and Home to a Haven.

I believe you can find peace and purpose when you care for your home and family with an eternal perspective. I'm here to guide you with faith-filled encouragement!

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