There are a number of ways of setting boundaries in the home, both within your own family and with others who visit your home. Understanding what those boundaries are and communicating them to everyone in the family is pretty crucial for a happy home.
Here are some of the common boundaries that are set in most homes.
Smoking
Is smoking allowed in your home? If it is, is there a particular area for it? What about outside? If family members and guests are allowed to smoke outside do they need to be a certain distance from the house to avoid the smoke coming in through windows? If you have a no smoking policy, how will you enforce it?
Some households also establish a non drinking policy, so consider where you stand on this subject as well.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours can most often apply when you have older kids or teens who have friends coming over, but it could be important for relatives too. How early or how late can someone come over for a visit? Does this vary by the person? Is there a certain day or time that is reserved just for the family to be together? Also consider phone calls and texting. When it the cut off hour?
Another aspect of this is who can visit.
Taking Care of Stuff
Some households like to be laid back and encourage furniture and other things to be used because that is what they are there for, while other households like everyone to respect the things in the house and treat them gently. Where does your household fall? Is it okay to jump on the couch or play frisbee with the dog dish, or do you have a look no touch policy. Probably you are somewhere in between.
Can you think of other areas in your household where boundaries need to be established?