Some homes feel instantly welcoming. A home doesn’t have to be an architectural masterpiece. It doesn’t have to be filled with designer art and the latest gadgets. Even the smallest and most humble abodes can be made to feel homely. A home is all about the emotional connection you have with it. It isn’t necessarily about things.
Home should be a place you feel you can relax in. Your home is a place you feel safe, warm and want to spend your free time. Home should be a place where you can let down your guard and be yourself. If you want to spend the day in your PJs watching box sets, you can. Home is a place that expresses your character and meets your needs. It’s the place you can’t wait to retreat to after a long day at work.
But, what is it exactly that makes a house a home? A recent study of British homeowners revealed that just 66 per cent of people believed they live in a home, with the remainder claiming the place they live is merely bricks and mortar.
Here are 8 essential ingredients to make your house (or flat) feel more like home:
- Location
You need to love where you live for your house to be the best home it can possibly be. If you are a country bumpkin at heart, even the most amazing city apartment won’t make you feel truly at home. Find out how to research a new neighbourhood with the Which ‘where should I buy’ tool here.
- Kerb appeal
Every time you approach your home, it should bring a smile to your face. Your front door, the path to the door and your front garden should make you feel glad to be home. Even if you live in a flat, make your front door a welcome sight.
Make your entrance as grand or as simple as you like. Prioritise whatever it is that gives you a warm rosy glow as you approach your home. There are lots of simple ways you can enhance the entry to your property to make it feel more like home.
- Kitchen
It’s really no wonder that the kitchen is so often called out as being the heart of the home. Kitchens these days are a far cry from those of the past. Today’s kitchens have a wonderfully mysterious magnetic force attracting family and friends to congregate there.
The kitchen is no longer simply a place to prepare food. It is the epicentre of the home and in many properties, it is the place where most of its inhabitants spend a significant part of their time (with the exception of the bedroom for sleeping).
The kitchen is the most important essential ingredient for home entertaining these days and contributes significantly to making a house feel like a home. See some great examples of modern kitchens, by Simon Taylor Furniture.
- Aroma
There’s nothing quite like the unique smell of your own home. Most of the time the aroma of your home probably goes unnoticed. But, do you recall how good your home smells when you’ve been away for a while and return to base?
Aromas around the home we love include:
- The smell of good food cooking
- Freshly laundered sheets
- An open fire
- A favourite scented candle
- Storied furniture and knick-knacks
A beautiful and welcoming home doesn’t have to be one of luxury. Vintage furniture, homewares bought on travels and knick-knacks collected over the years are the things that make a home unique. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t declutter from time to time. There are plenty of things you can get rid of without losing the essence of your home.
- Comfort
Home should be a place where you can feel off duty. Whatever it is that makes you feel more comfortable, then your home should have it. If you prefer minimalist, then it’s no good filling your house with clutter. It will only make you feel more stressed. A comfy sofa and a comfortable bed are both must-haves, whatever your style preferences.
- Laughter
A happy home has a certain buzz about it. Laughter, good food and great conversations are key to making a house feel lived in. Laughter is the elixir of a happy home. Joy and humour are essential ingredients for making a house feel like a home, and they happen to be good for your health too.
- Photographs
It’s the personal touches that really make a house a home. There’s nothing more personal than a bank of family photos. Here are some great ideas on how to display family pictures and get your house more homely in an instant.
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