Whether you are moving about a lot between rented properties or you have just landed in your forever home, making a house feel like home takes a bit of time and consideration. However, you’ll be pleased to hear that you needn’t spend a lot of money to perfect your nest.
A property feels like home when it has your own stamp on it. Your home is your chance to show off your personal taste in interior design and create a space that really works for you. Even if you can’t change the color of the walls or the layout of the property, there’s a lot you can do to change the feel of any property. Whether your taste is for minimalist bliss or maximalist extravaganza, what you do is up to you so embrace this freedom.
So, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Put Up Your Own Art and Pictures
Displaying photos is a good way to make a space feel more like your own. Your friends and family can definitely help with this task and you might even like to do a mini photo shoot to make sure that you have the pictures you really want. Adding custom picture frames will also help to personalize your display and ensure that you get the perfect look. Your pictures can also help you to decide what sort of scheme to go for. So, if you have a particular picture you love, matching your other accessories to this color scheme is a good idea.
Your collected artworks and knick-knacks should also take pride of place in your new home. Make a point of putting your favorite pieces out where you can see them so that you can enjoy looking at them. Curating your shelves to get the perfect display is a good way to show off each item and bring character to your room. The key is how you group different items to create a sense of balance.
Use Scents to Create a Calm Atmosphere
While humans don’t have the best sense of smell in the animal kingdom, we are far more sensitive than we might think. Some scents make us feel edgy and uncomfortable, while others can have a warming and calming effect. Sometimes, particular scents remind us of things and the smell of home can be quite distinctive.
The best thing to do is to first root out any unwanted smells and deal with them. Damp and drains are the usual culprits, especially if a property has been empty for a time before you moved in. Throw open all the windows to let the musty smell out and give each room a thorough clean from top to bottom. Using natural cleaning products such as bicarbonate of soda and vinegar is a good way to avoid long-lasting chemical smells.
Introduce Mood Lighting
You might not be able to change the major light fittings but adding lamps and novelty lights will make a huge difference to the mood of each room. String lights are brilliant for this and you can style them in a number of ways. Putting delicate copper wire lights into a jar is a nice way to create a feature light that isn’t too bright, but equally, you could use these lights to create a frame for your favorite photos.
Novelty lights are another great way to express your personality and neon lights are definitely having a moment. The various colors are a fun way to introduce a different kind of light to your room and will draw attention to a particular space. If you have a drinks trolley or bar area, a bit of neon is just the thing you need to finish this area off.
Be Generous with Cushions and Blankets
Soft furnishing like cushions and blankets will create an instant cozy feeling that lasts all year round. There is nothing more homely than cuddling up with a fleecy blanket in the evenings or getting comfy in a pile of cushions. You can store blankets in all kinds of stylish ways while you aren’t using them, from wire baskets to ladders, to create a feature in their own right. Cushions, on the other hand, look great simply stacked up on the floor.
Floor cushions are another great investment, as are beanbags, particularly if you are living in rented accommodation and want to save on furniture. Floor cushions are ideal for parties as they provide instant casual seating but they are also good for fitting into smaller nooks. Go for a couple of different colors to fit with your theme and add some more personality to your room.
Add Plants
Every home deserves at least one plant and plants are brilliant for creating a calming atmosphere. Succulents are particularly fashionable right now but there are all kinds of houseplants that would be happy to move in. The trick is to find a plant that is easy to care for and looks great amongst your other things. Of course, if you lack the green fingers necessary to keep a plant alive longer than a week, a bunch of cut stem flowers will do the trick!
Plants are really good for the home as they are natural air filters and can have a calming effect too. If you really want to make the most of your plants, growing herbs on your kitchen windowsill is a nice way to supplement your cooking as well as introduce fresh fragrances to the room. You can also grow some fruits and veggies inside if you’re feeling more adventurous!
Final Thoughts
Of course, part of turning a house into a home is simply getting used to the space. So, before you throw yourself into decorating, give yourself some time to see how the space works as it is, particularly how the light moves around the room. Turning a house into a home takes time but if you follow your instinct and curate your things to fit the space, it’s quite easy to transform every room.
