5 Ideas to Steal From the House Kristin Cavallari Instantly Fell In Love With

Ever since Kristin Cavallari captivated audiences on MTV's Laguna Beach, her home-base has been a part of her brand. At first, audiences associated her with her Southern California high school years, later the California association continued when she joined the cast of The Hills.

A few years later, Kristin starred in her own show, Very Cavallari, while living in Chicago with her ex-husband Jay Cutler.

But now, with reality TV mostly in her rearview mirror—you can still hear her discuss her time on Laguna Beach on the Back to the Beach podcast—Kristin finally feels truly at home in Tennessee. The home she shares with her three children is not only beautiful, but functional and inspiring at the same time.

Read on for five ideas to steal from the space.

1. Embrace Your Lifestyle

The upstairs playroom in Kristin's home is the perfect example of creating a space that works for your specific lifestyle. With three kids at home, it was essential for Kristin to design an area they could call their own. The built-in bunkbeds make for the ideal sleepover space, and the sitting area is ideal for relaxed movie or game nights.

2. Make the Most of the Space You Have

Even though Kristin fell in love with her house right away, she still took the time to make the space her own. She took advantage of the basement space to carve out room for a gym and a sauna, and turned the upstairs into a kid-friendly zone.

3. Always Focus on the Good

Kristin appreciates the time she gets to spend at the house with her kids—she co-parents with ex-husband Jay Cutler—and makes it a point to embrace their time together. "Even though it’s hard being away from my kids for a week, I am focused on the good,* she says.

She embraces that good side by hosting her kids' friends for dinner, involving her kids in caring for their greenhouse, and just enjoying time together in the place they all call home.

4. Show Off What You Like

Glass-front cabinets may not be the most traditional choice for kitchens, but they give homeowners the chance to display their favorite items. For Kristin, that includes a collection of cookbooks and beautiful glassware from her Uncommon James home line.

5. Don't Forget the Little Touches

It's the little things that make the biggest difference. And for a candle aficionado like Kristin, that means every room in the house needs a little extra spark. Keeping scented candles lit when guests are over—and having one in the guest room in case they sleep over—is the key to setting the perfect mood while hosting, according to Kristin.