Home is where the heart is, right? Sure, that’s true, but it’s also so much more than that—especially these days. Home is also where we’ve been working, playing, attending classes, and everything else for the last year and a half. You’d be forgiven if you were a little bit tired of the look of your home at this point—many homeowners feel that way.

Still, there’s a way to keep your home a haven and to make it feel that way for all your family members. How do you ask? The answer is simple: Kitchen design and regular maintenance on appliances. It’s as simple as that. The quickest way into anyone’s heart is through their stomach, which is why the kitchen is often the focal point of a home. Here are five reasons why the kitchen should be the heart and focal point of your home, and how you can boost your comfort levels in just a few easy steps.

1. Your kitchen is where you eat together.

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No matter what the world throws at you, you can always sit together around a table and enjoy one another’s company. Gathering around a table to enjoy a meal is a simple way to take the average family and bring them closer together. Whatever the challenges of daily life, in the long run, you’ll remember the time spent around the table and so will the rest of your family.

2. Your kitchen is where you start your days.

That first cup of coffee is one of the fixtures of your schedule you probably don’t want to compromise on, and for good reason. The focal point of a kitchen is often the backsplash by the countertop or the kitchen table, both of which are where you may be enjoying that first cup of java juice. Word to the wise—by making sure that your backsplash or the cabinets where you keep your coffeemaker are prettier than average (maybe by adding some tile with a pop of color or some natural stone), you’ll make the beginning of your day more delightful as well.

3. Your kitchen is where you gather yourself after a long day.

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Similar to that first cup of coffee, putting your feet up after a long day and enjoying the cool air from your air conditioner (or the heat from your heating system) is what any homeowner deserves. The kitchen is where that happens as well. Of course, none of that reading can happen if your air conditioner is on the fritz, which is where the regular maintenance of appliances comes in.

AC repairs or replacement will go a long way towards ridding your kitchen, pantry, and surrounding areas of unusual odors and even mold! If you really want to enjoy the heart of your home, have an HVAC professional with years of experience come by and inspect your AC unit on a regular basis.

4. Your kitchen is where you cook for those you love.

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Taking something out of the pantry and crafting a home-cooked meal for your family members is an act of love. Setting a pie on one of the shelves to cool as your partner or kids tell you stories about their day is something truly special that can’t be replaced. The kitchen is where those memories get made as well.

5. Your kitchen is where you find peace of mind.

Whatever amount of time you spend in the kitchen, however, many noises are bustling around you, whichever challenge you’re facing on a particular day—there is a sense of control that comes from spending time in the kitchen. This is one reason why it’s common for homeowners to spend a lot of money on making their kitchen stand out and feel comfortable. Afterward, when they’re standing by the kitchen island and cooking, it’s easier to take a deep breath and feel better about everything that’s going on.