How to Make Your House a Home

You’ve moved into a new house and you love it, but there’s something that’s missing and you can’t quite put your finger on it. It’s not unusual for your new property to feel a little strange to start with. This is because it may be your house but it’s not yet your home. Here are some tips on how to make your house a home.

From house to home

There’s a big difference between a house and a home. Your home is where memories are made, it’s where you feel comfortable, it’s the place that you can’t wait to get back to after a long day’s work.

The memories that come with making a house a home will take a little time, but you shouldn’t have to wait long. What you can do in the meantime is to make your space cosier, more welcoming and somewhere that you feel truly comfortable. Small personal touches here and there can make a big difference.

Think about lighting options

Lighting can make a huge difference to how a room feels. Bright overhead bulbs which flood a room in harsh light might be functional, but they’re not necessarily ideal for those cosy nights spent in pyjamas with a cup of hot chocolate. 

Consider a floor lamp that can be positioned to give your room a soft ambient hue. Alternatively, dimmer lights are another option, allowing you to set the perfect brightness depending on the occasion. Remember, lighting creates atmosphere, so don’t overlook this tip.

The smell of home

Making your house a home goes beyond just what it looks like, it’s about what it feels like. To build up that emotional attachment and feeling of comfort, focus on some of your other senses.

Smells unlock emotions and feelings in a way that few other senses can. There’s a reason why those who reminisce about their childhood often harp back to the smell of a home-cooked meal.

Scented candles and reed diffusers are a great way to start here. Find familiar and well-loved scents that help you to relax. Place the reed diffusers around your home and keep the candles for the living room or places you frequent the most. Once you walk through the door after a long day’s work and smell that familiar fragrance of home, you’ll soon find yourself relaxed and at ease.

Add more colour

A lot of interior design trends incorporate industrial style colour tones, with greys and blacks taking precedence. These designs can be very stylish but also quite cold too. It’s easy to fall into the trap of decorating your house in a way that looks good but is ultimately uninviting and not too comfortable.

Pops of colour can really bring a home to life. This is easy to do even if you’re not thinking about redecorating. Soft furnishings or accessories can be the missing link here. Try building out a colour scheme for each room to add a touch of personality to your property.

Cushions, blankets and throws

When you think of home, the words comfort and warmth should come to mind. Cushions, blankets and throws are an ideal way to incorporate personality with that much needed comfort factor too. Shop around and find items that offer that pop of colour we mentioned before.

Top tip: cushions are an ideal way of reinvigorating dull sofas and chairs. Let your creativity run wild and remember the mantra ‘the softer, the better’.

Add a little texture with a rug

Rugs are an extra tool in your soft furnishings arsenal for building up that homely feel. Not only can they add some much needed colour to minimalist carpets or a touch of comfort to cold hardwood floors, they can also develop the character of your room.

Think texture as well as colour when choosing a rug. The design, fabric and style all matter. Large fluffy options are great for warming up bare feet when padding around on hard floors, but they also elevate the composition of your room, building balance between the floor and walls. Patterned carpets aren’t common in modern homes, so why not be creative and add a little pattern with your new rug?

Let your character shine through with art

The art that you choose to display is a deeply personal choice and this can make a big difference when it comes to creating that feeling of home. When choosing what to put on your walls or tabletops, look beyond the generic chain-store pieces. Seek out items that really speak to you and show your character to others. A great place to start could be to seek out local independent artists. Not only is this a talking point, but it’s also unique and supports a member of your local community too.

If you have art that’s been in your family for some time, allowing it the space to be noticed can also bridge the gap between house and home. Position this somewhere that’s easily seen and not overlooked. 

Photos of friends & family

For some, home isn’t a place at all, it’s the people you love and care for. Dig out your best snaps of friends and family and create mini-galleries around your property. This can be a great idea for any large blank wall space, like your stairs or hallway.

Look for the photos that make you smile, the ones which bring back the best memories. These will be a permanent reminder of that feeling of home you’re looking for.

Keep it personal

The feeling of home can’t be easily described, it’s personal and unique to each and every one of us. Whether it’s a smell, family members, a beloved piece of art or that warm comforting feeling of spending the evening wrapped in a blanket reading a good book. So when looking to make your house a home, keep it personal. Avoid generic items, showroom style designs and cold, unwelcoming decor. Look for what makes you happy and build upon that.

Looking to redecorate?

If you’re thinking of redecorating to help make your house a home, you may wish to seek the help of a professional.

Last Updated: November 1st, 2024