I have always believed that I had the happiest Baltic childhood. For me, childhood memories are filled with a loving family, birds chirping outside the window, warm food on the table, and not a single worry in the world. However, as I grew older, I realised that it was my family who created that feeling.
I was always taught that it is not about how much you have, but rather what you are able to create with what you already have. A cosy home comes from the people who live in it, not from things or overconsumption. You can have a million-dollar villa, but if it lacks warmth and comfort, it will never truly feel like home.
Fresh Flowers Were Never Saved for Special Occasions
We had three gardens while I was growing up, and every one of them was filled with flowers. It may seem like extra work, but flowers are good for the soul. Even today, my grandmother on my dad’s side calls me during the summer to tell me how her flowers are doing and what we should plant once my dad finishes building our new family home.
Having fresh flowers on the table may seem like a small detail, but they bring such a lovely touch of nature into your home. It doesn’t matter whether they come from your garden, your terrace or the supermarket. Since I grew up with this tradition, I’m sharing a photo of how my own home looks with fresh flowers.
Candles Were Part of Everyday Life
The Baltic countries have long, dark winters, and for around five months of the year our evenings arrive early. Ever since I can remember, our home was always filled with candles. Sometimes it was simply to save electricity, but candles also create a feeling of warmth and comfort that is difficult to replace. During long Baltic winters, they make even the coldest evening feel peaceful and welcoming.
A Clean Home Was More Important Than an Expensive One
This is one of the most important lessons my grandmother taught me. The first thing I had to do after coming home from school was change my clothes and put everything away. Every evening she encouraged me to prepare my outfit for the next day so there would be no stress or mess in the morning. I still follow this advice because I know how chaotic mornings can become.
Many Baltic women are raised to keep a tidy home because we even have a saying that a tidy home creates a tidy mind.
Natural Materials Make Everything Feel Warmer
My mother still uses bed sheets bought by my grandmother from the 1980s, and they are still in fantastic condition after almost forty years because they are made from thick, high-quality cotton. Natural materials such as linen, wool, wood and ceramics make a home feel warm, timeless and welcoming while lasting for many years.
If you are interested in how to integrate natural materials in your wardrobe too, read my article How to Build a Timeless Wardrobe.
The Kitchen Was Always the Heart of the Home
The kitchen has always been the heart of our family home. We gathered there for meals, tea and little snacks throughout the day. If you ever visit a Baltic home, you’ll almost certainly end up sitting around the kitchen table. And don’t arrive having already eaten, because you will definitely be fed. This is how we show love and care.
We Used What We Already Had
Our parents and grandparents didn’t grow up with much, so they learned to make the most of what they owned. You don’t need countless matching dish sets or endless decorations to create a cozy home. Reuse what you already have, look after it, and appreciate it. If you want more tips on how to waste less and save more, read my article 7 Things my Grandparents Never Wasted.
Beauty Was Created Through Care, Not Shopping
My family is my safe place, and one day I hope to teach my own children the same lesson. Fresh flowers, a tidy home, good-quality minimalist furniture and soft jazz playing quietly in the background while I cook dinner for the people I love—that is what a happy, cosy home feels like.
The older I get, the more I realise that my grandparents weren’t decorating a house—they were creating a home. While writing this article, I wasn’t remembering furniture or decorations. I was remembering conversations around the kitchen table, flowers on the windowsill and candles glowing on winter evenings. I hope this article inspires you to create a home that feels warm, peaceful and welcoming—not because of what you buy, but because of the life you build inside it.
Read my article 7 Money Saving Habits From Grandparents to learn tips on saving money every day.
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