If you’ve just moved house, got a rented place, off to university or just want to spread a little love into your home, I’ve put together 11 easy ways to make your house a home. Lots of ideas, tip tips and how to’s on the best way to breathe life and personality into your four walls. If your homeĀ just doesn’t feel like ‘you’ this is how toĀ make sure it does.
No. 1 Photographs
It might be a clichƩ but bringing out all your old photos can help you feel connected to a space. Frame them, hang them on the walls, give yourself something joyful to look at every time you pass by.
No. 2 Colour
Whether you like it or hate it, colour can have a huge effect on your mood. If your new space is too bright, tone it down, but if you need to inject your favourite hues, go for it. In a rented space this isn’t always easy but look for ways to add your best-loved palette through accessories.
No. 3 Plants
Now you may not be a plant person (I know I manage to kill more than I grow), and if not then invest in some faux versions, but research does show that indoor plants can improve your perceptions of a space, so get yourself off to your local shops now and make a purchase.
No. 4 Books
Surround yourself with your favourite books. If you don’t read them, fire up your Kindle, or enjoy sifting through a pile of magazines. Losing yourself in your most loved of pages will help you connect with the space around you. You’ll always remember where you read that amazing novel, or in which issue you found your lusted afterĀ pair of shoes.
No. 5 Eat and Drink
Ok so of course you’re going to do this in your new place, but I mean invite some friends round and have a meal together, or better still throw a party. Creating new memories in your new house will help you feel anchored and give you something to feel affectionate towards in your new walls.
No. 6 Smells
Surround yourself with fragrance. Now this may sound silly, but if you move somewhere new, ensure you wash all the soft furnishings in your usual detergent and fabric softener. It’s an easy way to rid yourself of another person’s smell, and make your space feel like home.
No. 7 Indulgences
Nothing says home more than freshly laundered, Ć¼ber soft towels. Wrap yourself in the warmth, comfort and familiar smell of a quality towel, and you’ll be transported right back to a place like home. It’s possible to create home comforts and indulge in them, even if you think they aren’t there.
No. 8 Coffee
Well not just coffee, but tea, or even wine. Spend time with neighbours and friends getting to know them all over again over a mid morning drink. Start to feel comfortable in the space and let other people see it to. Their complements will go a long way to making it feel more like a home.
No. 9 Outside
Don’t forget to make the outdoors a part of your home too. Whatever your outdoor space looks like, from a balcony, to terrace to huge, rambling garden, give it some love and start to spend time there, making it your own.
No. 10 You
Only you can make a house feel like a home. Inject your personality into the space, rented or owned. Live the way you like to live, don’t let others dictate this to you.
No. 11 Time
Sometimes you just need time. To do the above, to make new memories, to feel connected. It doesn’t always happen at once so have patience. Maybe the reason you ended up in your new house is the reason it can’t feel like home. If that’s the case, do what you need to do. Only you know if you’re ever going to feel happy there.
Christy Towels Giveaway:
The towels I’ve used in the shot above are from Christy, who along with COTTON USA are running a giveaway to win a room makeover including towels, bathrobes, bedlinen and moreĀ asĀ part of the #feelslikehome campaign.Ā Christy Supreme HygroĀ® towels carry theĀ COTTON USA International trademark for quality U.S cotton rich products.
You can find out more and enter the giveawayĀ HERE.
Furthermore you could check out their video on tips for folding towels too, for ideas on how to keep your home comforts looking their best.
What wouldĀ you do to make your house a home?
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Jen is an interiors writer and blogger and has an insatiable love of home style and decor
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Some great ideas here Jen- I think it takes time too. Constant tweaking to make things work in the space also
Author
Really good point Susie, sometimes the space has to evolve for it to become a home.
A good reminder of making home a home. I love Christy towels too. We have them at home, got a huge set for our wedding, and they are super soft.
Author
Thanks Geraldine, oh yes they are so lovely aren’t they.
Fab tips! I love the idea of bringing the smells you love with you – it’s something we all take for granted but when you move into a new place it always feels as first that you are trespassing on someone else’s pad! Ha! And I think our sense of smell has a lot to do with that. I do love a good lush towel as well, I have to admit! š xxx
Author
Thanks Kimberly, we have sensitive noses in our home, so this is really important to us š
I’m with you on smells Jen. When we moved into this house it smelt awful, musty and old lady smell. Our eldest son was beside himself and would not sleep in his bedroom. We had to pull up all the grotty carpets the day we moved in. I sprayed all the rooms with my perfume and slapped white paint on every wall and floor as soon as I could. Soon turned it into a home x
Author
It doesn’t take long to put your own stamp on a place really and make it feel more comfortable. Incredible how powerful the sense of smell is to our wellbeing x
Nice post Jen. I agree with a lot of these suggestions; books and my favourite, candles. All to often we can fall into the trap of designing a home that looks great but we can’t relate to it. I think your points make a good ‘go to’ check list x
Great post, I’m a little odd but the whole getting the home ready for sale is a process I actually love.
I really think colour helps to make a house feel like home. Before we bought our flat we lived in a number of magnolia rentals that we could never decorate. Consequently they never really felt like home. Once we added colour to our flat I felt like it had some personality at last.
Such a lovely post. I always feel the more you live in a home the more personal it gets. I love slowly buying pieces over time than rushing it. Makes it more personal and adds personality I think. A x
A great list, Jen. It’s amazing how the feel of a room can completely change with just a few additions like books and plants. Got to love a squishy towel too š xx
Author
Indeed! Thanks Katy x
Lovely post jen and some fab tips
Great article. I think that the plants are maybe the most important ingredient. They bring life to all of us.
I think it’s so important for your house to feel like a home, although I think this only truly happens with time but I definitely agree that little touches like candles, bed linen, books and photos make your home all the more personalised and therefore ‘homely’.
Gemma x
The British Feather – A UK Lifestyle & Home Decor Blog
Author
Thanks Gemma, yes this does take time doesn’t it. A little patience is needed when settling into a new space I think x
Such a lovely ideas, thanks for sharing!
Nice ideas Jen. Thanks