How to make a house feel homely

nobodyspecial

Children! No house is just a house once it has children. Pets are lovely, furnishings look nice, but children make a house a home in a way nothing else can.

FrugalWorker

You - you make it a home for you.

I don't have a dog or children, does that mean my home isn't homely, of course not. I don't like candles too much as most come from the petroleum industry, unless soy or bees wax. I can't stand having to take cushions off the chair or the bed to sit/sleep, so keep these things to a minimum. But I do have pictures that are important to me on the walls, I have vases that were wedding presents or presents to my parents or grand parents. I try to make sure that I don't put up things that I may like but my husband doesn't - it's supposed to be a home to both of us. Is my home homely or minimialist? Well it's homely to me, I get overwhelmed when I go in to a house with too much stuff.

I like to mix textures, for example a rug on the floor, a wood/metal/wool/etc.. I love the character in old furniture, I love the little scratches on it, I love that it's been in use for decades. I like making things myself, I like my home to be personal to me, not something that is a replica of a room in Ikea or some other store. I think lighting is very important, I prefer the light from lamps. It's silly things that make me smile, the tea cozy on my tea pot that I made, the pictures in my pictures drawn by my nieces, etc...

I lived on my own for many years, my home was such a refuge from the outside world. Everything in my home I remembered where I'd gotten and why. I felt warm and cozy all the time looking out at the world go by outside. A home doesn't have to be clutter, doesn't have to have magazines, doesn't have to have anything in it. It's very simply what makes you feel warm and happy.

I suggest you look at pictures, on pinterest, or just in peoples houses at what makes you feel warm and cozy. Try things out from the Charity shop if you can afford to. If it doesn't work, maybe you can change it - e.g. upcycling by painting or re-covering something. You just need to look at what looks attractive to you.

I try to live by William Morris (i think) Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

boliston

nobodyspecial wrote: »

Children! No house is just a house once it has children. Pets are lovely, furnishings look nice, but children make a house a home in a way nothing else can.

Depends if you like children or not (same with dogs!)

moneyistooshorttomention

boliston wrote: »

Depends if you like children or not (same with dogs!)

:T Seconded.

My first thought was "Oh that would be because of things being scratched/untidy/scribbles on wall/etc would it?:rotfl:"

missyrichards

I like fleecy throws, scented candles and I have a crystal lamp and fairy lights that I put on when it's getting dark.:)

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Oh yes.....and a dog!!! we lost our old lad back in June and there is a gap where he was and neither one of us has been able to sit in his armchair yet, definitely a dog MAKES a house a home!!!

Oh, I'm sorry to read that.:(xxx

fuddle

There's no such thing as scribbled walls, scratched furniture or an untidy house in this 2 up 2 down rented house for a family of 4 and a house rabbit. I keep it nice and my children have been brought up to respect our possessions and our homes (we have had plenty!)

I do think a home is as much about atmosphere reflecting who lives in it. Whatever house we have lived in, whether it be the very big damp 1930's or the tiny new build, we have made it home with very few posessions. We're a canny little family with a good outlook, no matter what is thrown at us.

I will say that our home is different when it's just me and the rabbit during the day but when others come home it becomes a much nicer place to be so I am of the thought that people do make it what it is... and that I'm a grumpy auld soul when I have no one to bounce off :rotfl:

rdone

It took me a little while to get our lounge sorted but a change of curtains (£17 in Ikea) and a lilac colour in the alcoves (that my parents had left over) and the room is completely changed. I also put some bunting up that I made.
It's surprising how you can change such small things and it makes a huge difference.
Definitely agree about the lighting, I'm not sure why I paid the electrician to put a light in the lounge ceiling - not sure it's ever been used!

Double_V

I also need some ideas to redesign our lounge.
We got dark brown wooden flooring. What theme/colors go well with it ?
And we need ideas/help in walls, sofas, media storage to everything.

Thanks

fuddle

Have a look at 'hygge' it's a time in the Danish calendar that can't really be translated but it evokes cosy.

Double_V

fuddle wrote: »

Have a look at 'hygge' it's a time in the Danish calendar that can't really be translated but it evokes cosy.

I speak Danish.
I know exactly what it means.