Whether you’ve lived in your house since your childhood, or simply just moved in, creating a home that feels authentically “you” can be a challenge. Maybe you live with your partner, your kids, and your pets and you all leave a fingerprint within the house. Incorporating all family activities and lifestyles in designing a home that reflects your style and celebrates your favorite memories and experiences requires a little extra effort.

To make your house feel more like a home, it is not something that simply happens on its own.

So, you can start by introducing the little changes that we recommend below. Small details like including family photos, displaying your favorite mementos, and adding a touch of greenery in your home may be all it takes to bring a little personality to your space.

A helping hand for the homey transition

Home is where the heart is. It is your cherished memories, daily experiences, and favorite items that bring comfort, coziness, and warmth to the place and turn it into a home.

So, when you move into a new house or apartment – however great it is – you won’t feel at home, at least not right from the start. You won’t have any memories or emotional experiences associated with your new surroundings, any favorite spots, or personal nooks within the new house or apartment.

So, how do you make your new house feel like home? Think about what makes you feel safe, relaxed, joyful, and comfortable. Then, look for a way to incorporate all those things, and don’t forget that you will require a helping hand. Maybe to fix a leaky pipe, or to install a new boiler, arrange your garden and front entrance. Maybe give you a quote for a new patio, or to discuss a renovation project.

Consult interior designers and other experts in this field. Let them help you find quality local tradesmen including electricians, landscapers, plasterers, carpenters, and handymen.

Create an Inviting Entrance

The front entrance and the front door have the power to set the tone for your entire home. It’s the first thing you see when you come home and it’s the first thing guests see when they come over. To make your front porch more inviting, try adding a doormat and a couple of potted plants. Keeping the entryway neat and greeting guests with a bench where they can take off their shoes is a simple way to make an excellent first impression.

Display your favorite artworks

You can’t make a house feel homier overnight. Or, can you? Sure, if it’s in bad shape it’ll likely take more than one evening to redecorate it, but if empty walls are the issue, then you’ve got it covered. Artwork — and lots of it. Interior designers also advise stocking up on prints to create a more homey space. Artwork needs to be properly sized based on the scale of the wall, and ensure it is not hung too high. Also, be sure to mix large pieces with clusters of smaller pieces and vary the style and medium to ensure a truly curated look that will allow your home to look more lived in.

Put up photos of loved ones, so you will remind your entire household of parties, vacations, and gatherings past. You could add some postcards of places you have visited or plan to visit, some cute symbols or favorite sayings. They immediately add personality to any room. 

Bring the outdoors in

When you get house plants for your home, they not only breathe life and fresh air, but they also signal that you’ll be around to care for them and to water them regularly. Bringing plants into your home is like putting down roots. There is nothing like planting outdoor plants that your family will be able to enjoy for many years to come

Plants can help to purify the air and rid your home of toxins. A win-win, if you ask us. 

Choose your plant according to its intended location and your level of expertise. Vast expanses will better benefit from large potted plants like palms and fiddle leaf figs, while tabletops will make do with succulents or an arrangement of fresh flowers. Consider a vase of dried blooms like eucalyptus, hydrangea, and lavender.

Consider underfoot comfort with rugs 

Have you ever thought that the color of the floor may be too overwhelming for your living room? So brighten it up with a rug for a more animated scheme and additional comfort underfoot. Yes, they can be an expensive investment, but they truly create a warm and homey feeling.

Make sure you shop for a rug that’s big enough. Ideally, the best fit is at least halfway under your furniture. You can also consider cushions and throws, with different textures and color. Draping soft blankets and hanging chunky curtains are tricks as old as time used to help give a simple space more character and an inviting feel.

Fill Your Shelves With Books

If you’re a book lover, shelves filled with books could make your house feel cozy and inviting — and there’s nothing better than sitting down with a cup of tea while reading a favorite book. When unpacking your books, think about how you’d like them to be organized. Perhaps you would like to sort your books into sections by genre, topic, or alphabetically? Whichever method you choose, do it quickly so that you can finally enjoy your downtime with a book. 

Last words

While we all have different ideas when it comes to our interiors and each has differing definitions of what makes a house feel homier to us, what tends to do the trick are personal touches and decorative finishes. We hope these practical and useful tips will help you create the perfect space for you and your loved ones.