Start with a clean slate

Whether it’s polished mirrors or a decluttered top drawer, a little tidying can make a surprising difference to how your home feels.

Fortunately, it doesn’t need to involve a full spring clean. Instead, choose small actions that pack a satisfying punch, like clearing the kitchen benches. Or relieving that bedroom chair of the week’s dirty t-shirts and socks.

If you’re not sure where to start, focus on the little things that tend to bother you during the week (shoe pile by the door, we’re looking at you).

With the practical jobs out of the way, you can enjoy the rest of your Sunday in a space that feels fresh and welcoming.

 

Bring a little beauty indoors

Sometimes a little greenery is all it takes to lift a room – like a few cuttings from the garden, artfully arranged in your nicest vase. Or, if you don’t mind a casual meander down to the shops, a fresh bunch of blooms from your favourite florist.

Don’t forget your existing indoor plants. A lazy Sunday is the perfect time to give them a little love: a good watering, a quick prune and a soft wipe of dusty leaves.

Not a flora fan? Welcome nature in by opening your curtains and windows and letting the local breeze drift through your home. Or if it’s storming, pull up a chair and watch nature’s greatest show with your favourite drink in hand.

Call it nature therapy – without having to leave the house.

 

Indulge in little luxuries

Saving your best wine glasses for a special occasion? Not today.

There’s something particularly chic about enjoying your finest possessions on an ordinary Sunday. So pull out the expensive plates, chocolates and French hand soap you’ve been saving for your guests – and enjoy them yourself, instead.

And while you're treating yourself, don't overlook the simple but timeless pleasure of freshly washed sheets.

Make the bed with your favourite linen and lay fresh towels in your bathroom. Then put on your favourite music and enjoy the luxury of an afternoon with nowhere else to be.

 

Make a little time for the kitchen

Sunday is an ideal day to linger a little longer in the kitchen, particularly if the weather is encouraging you to stay indoors.

Make that eight-hour lamb shoulder recipe you've been meaning to try. Or bake a cake for afternoon tea. The aromas drifting from the kitchen add another layer of comfort to a leisurely Sunday at home.

If you're feeling organised, you might also plan a few meals for the week ahead, stock the fridge with fresh produce or prepare a batch of overnight oats for easy weekday breakfasts.

And if cooking isn't on the agenda, there's plenty to be said for a pot of tea, a good book and a quiet afternoon at the kitchen table.

 

Rediscover the forgotten corners of your home

Most homes have a spot or two that doesn't get nearly enough attention: a balcony that's rarely used. A sunny corner that's become a dumping ground for schoolbags and dog toys. Or a dining table reserved for special occasions.

Sunday is a good opportunity to rediscover these spaces and enjoy them as they were intended.

Take your morning coffee outside or set the dining table for a leisurely lunch. If a space isn't quite working, try rearranging the furniture or changing a few decorative pieces.

Even a small change can make a room you've walked through a thousand times feel fresh again.

 

Reclaim a forgotten pleasure

Somewhere in your home is a collection of things you once loved, but haven't touched in years.

Indulge in a little rummaging through cupboards and drawers to see what pleasant surprises turn up. Like a dusty old vinyl collection, a favourite jigsaw puzzle or your high school memorabilia box just waiting to take you on a trip down memory lane.

Think of it as a little at-home archaeology.

 

Make Monday a little easier

Before Sunday draws to a close, spend a few minutes getting ready for the week ahead.

Pack the work and school bags, lay out the things you'll need in the morning, return a few stray belongings to their proper places and check your calendar to see what the next week has in store.

These small habits can help take some of the rush out of Monday morning, leaving you free to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Then, with the week ahead taken care of, settle in. Put on a favourite film or curl up on the couch with your furry best friend.

After all, one of the nicest things about a Sunday at home is having the time to enjoy it.

 

Want more tips and tricks for making the most of your home? Head to The Peer Blog.