Last week, my family traveled out of town for a wedding. On our way back home, we were met with strong winds and heavy snow gusts.
For over an hour, we drove through on-and-off whiteout conditions.
It was honestly terrifying—not being able to see what was in front of us while driving on the highway.
But eventually, we turned into our driveway… and all of us let out a deep sigh of relief.
Home.
Thank God, we were safe.
That moment reminded me just how deeply thankful I am for my home—and the sanctuary it provides.
What Does It Mean to Create a Sanctuary at Home?
This week, as I go about simple tasks like cleaning and making a family-favorite dinner, I’ve been reflecting on this idea of creating a sanctuary at home.
Because the truth is—you can create a peaceful, safe haven no matter where you live.
A sanctuary isn’t about square footage or perfectly styled rooms.
It’s about atmosphere.
It’s a place where your family feels safe from the pressures of the outside world… where they can exhale, be known, and be at rest.
And while every member of the household contributes to that feeling, I’ve realized something humbling:
As the homemaker, I often set the tone.
It Starts With the Heart
I’ve noticed that when I feel overwhelmed, rushed, or irritable… my family feels it too.
The home feels tense. Cold. On edge.
But when I slow down and choose gentleness, everything shifts.
There is more peace. More joy. More ease.
Isaiah 26:3–4 says:
“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”
Peace isn’t something we have to manufacture.
It’s something we receive when we place our trust in the Lord.
He is steady—even when everything else feels uncertain.
So if we want to create a peaceful home, it starts within our own hearts first.
Simplifying Your Space
One practical way I’ve found to cultivate peace at home is by keeping things simple—especially when it comes to our belongings.
I used to think I needed a bigger home or more storage solutions to feel organized.
But what I really needed… was less.
Less clutter.
Less excess.
Less coming into my home.
Now, I try to be intentional about what I bring in. I reuse decor, shop my own home, and move things around instead of constantly buying more.
And the result?
Breathing room.
When surfaces are clearer and spaces aren’t overflowing, I feel calmer.
And that calm spills over into the rest of my home.
This doesn’t mean your home has to be spotless—mine certainly isn’t.
But small habits make a big difference.
Resetting the kitchen after meals.
Keeping surfaces mostly clear.
These simple rhythms help maintain a sense of peace in the everyday.
Creating Gentle, Predictable Rhythms
Another way I’ve cultivated peace—especially as a homeschool mom—is through predictable routines.
Not rigid schedules.
But gentle rhythms.
My kids thrive when they know what to expect. And honestly, so do I.
We have a morning routine and a general start time for school, but it’s flexible. Some days we start at 8:30… other days it’s 8:45.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about direction.
1 Corinthians 14:33 reminds us:
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
There’s a quiet peace that comes from order—not a pressured, rigid kind of order, but a thoughtful and intentional flow to our days.
Choosing Connection Over Control
Finally, one of the most meaningful ways I’m learning to create a sanctuary at home is this:
Laugh more.
And embrace each family member for who they are.
Because a sanctuary isn’t just about how a home looks, it’s about how it feels.
I want my husband and my children to feel safe being fully themselves in our home, and that has required me to loosen my grip a little.
- Let the noise happen
- Laugh at the small things
- Stop correcting every little flaw
Because the goal isn’t a perfectly behaved family.
It’s a connected one.
When we lead with grace, our homes become places people want to be.

Creating a sanctuary at home isn’t about achieving some ideal standard.
It’s about:
- Choosing peace over pressure
- Simplicity over excess
- Connection over control
It’s built in the small, ordinary moments.
In the way we respond.
The way we speak.
The atmosphere we create—little by little.
If you’d like more peace at home, sign up for the free homemaker’s checklist.

2 thoughts on “How to Create a Sanctuary at Home”
This is such a simple but impactful truth! I am not a full time homemaker as I’d like to be, so I feel incredibly overwhelmed sometimes with always l trying to catch up at home after work. Emily, thank you for sharing your meaningful and useful advice as well as your gift of writing so others like myself can be encouraged!
I’m glad it was an encouragement to you!