17 Ways to Make Your House Feel More Homely

Posted January 3, 2019 by Sue Prichard

It’s the New Year and this tends to herald a sense of wanting to squeeze the most out of life, part of which comes down to squeezing the most from your home.  Indeed, home is a feeling more than a thing – it transcends the bricks and mortar, offering a sense of warmth, safety, cosiness and fun.

In this sense, this article looks into 17 ways you can make your house feel more like a home in the New Year.

1. FOCUS ON THE GARDEN

Many people put so much attention into their interior design, they neglect just how impact the design of patios and gardens are.  After all, in the summer months this is where you will spend most of your time.

2. CREATE A SNUG CORNER

Whether this is outside or inside, creating a snug corner to cuddle up with your partner, simply read a good book, or sit down and focus on work can create a real feeling of homeliness.  In fact, the warm and tactile sensation experienced of a snug has been likened to promoting the psychological effects aligned with being cocooned in the womb.

3.  ENSURE YOU HAVE FRESH FLOWERS AT HOME

Fresh flowers add a feeling of optimism, affluence and vibrancy to your home that tend to lift the spirits with their fragrance and bursts of colour.

4. MUSIC

Music is very atmospheric and has the ability to completely transform an environment, therefore, you want to create a “home” playlist in an app like Spotify that you associate with home.  This is creating a psychological anchor that will help make you feel at peace when you get home and turn the music on.

5. GET A PET

The best pets for feeling at home tend to be dogs as they almost guarantee a warm welcome when you get home and very loyal companions.  They can also provide a sense of security in that most intruders would think twice if they heard a deep bark coming from within.

6. PRACTICE YOUR CULINARY SKILLS

There’s nothing nicer than being inspired by a cooking show and trying to replicate their masterpiece in your own kitchen; it will also flood your house with homely aromas that will make everyone feel at home.

7. GET SOCIAL

Some people treat their house like a cave where they hermit themselves away, yet a house truly becomes a home when you have social events.

8. UPGRADE YOUR BED

Sleeping in a nice mattress and wrapping yourself in soft sheets can make a significant difference to how well you sleep at night.

9. HAVE A BATH FROM TIME TO TIME

Today, many people shower for speed rather than enjoy the indulgence of a nice long soak in their bathtub.

10. CREATE YOUR OWN ARTWORK

There are many ways to create your own artwork, simply and cheaply, that can add a personal touch to your home.

11. CANDLES

Candles can completely transform an otherwise cold room into a warm glowing cave of relaxation.

12. HAVE MOVIE NIGHTS

Have a movie night from time to time where you bring down some bed sheets and make some homemade popcorn.

13. CLEAR CLUTTER

The challenge with living in a cluttered home is that it creates a lot of internal stress, you therefore want to keep it clutter free as best you can.

14. INVITE THE NEIGHBOURS AROUND

Neighbours are an important part of feeling at home, so invite them around and make friends with them.

15. GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES

Growing your own vegetables is not only a healthier and cheaper way to consume vegetables, it’s also a way that will make you feel much more at home.

16. SORT OUT YOUR JUNK DRAW

We all have a junk draw – sort it out, and live more clutter free.

17. SPRING CLEAN

You can spring clean at any time of year; do it once every month or so and you will feel much more at home.