A Bit on the Joy of Home

What is the joy of home?

I have created my tagline to be about the joy of home, yet my daughter mentioned to me the other day, that she doesn’t know what the joy of home means. I realized I had not explained this concept, and thought it would be beneficial to describe it. 

Joy of home is not an architectural or design term. It is not a style or trend, like a Victorian home or coastal grandmother. 

The joy of home is not a specific term. 

Creating the joy of home means creating a space that allows you and your family to live as pleasantly as possible. What that means for my family of teenagers and a dog, might not mean the same thing for empty-nesters or a family that has a small baby. 

My two daughters and I when they were little

Home is not supposed to be a place that is unfunctional. Home is supposed to be a place that is comfortable, personalized, and structured in a way that you can live happily.

When that is achieved, that is the joy of home.

However, most homes, my own included, are not always optimized for the best functionality. And at the end of the day, you can paint every wall, and buy the perfect furniture, but if the house itself is not properly configured for you, it will not be joyful.

Joy of home also requires the home owners to know themselves. Home should not follow fads, but rather speak to who you are as a person, for if your home is not built for you, you won't truly feel at home.

I understand that this might sound harsh, but think about the places where you have felt the most at home. Those place often speak to us and thus spark joy. That is my job. To help you understand what would make the joy of home for you, and make that vision happen.

I believe that creating that joy within your own home, is the creation of joy of home. A place that is right for you.

Big Yellow Dog’s goal is to help people achieve that joy, whether that means designing a new home or renovating a current one.