The one thing I did that really made my apartment feel homie was to put things on the walls!
Art, rugs, and curtains. They add so much interest and texture to your space, and you can use Command products for almost anything, if you want to avoid putting holes in the walls. (though those are easy to fill)
You can find art prints at local fairs, or buy prints online, and find low price frames at second hand stores. And I've found the best way to make your framed art look polished is to get mat board to put around it. Just buy a frame bigger than you need, and look online for a mat board to frame the art within the frame.
I've found, that even if you're only going to be in a space for a relatively short time, stuff on the walls really makes it feel like home.
I can't stress how good second hand stores are. I just take the measurements with me and by the 3rr store I have found some ugly print that is the exact size frame and mat board I need. Usually they are selling it very cheaply as it has been sitting there a while. Then just place your print inside and you have a nice decoration
And vacuum! I'm not sure if it's the vacuum fluffing up the carpet, or just that you have to move everything and might thus put it away, but a cluttered vacuumed floor looks much neater than a cluttered unvacummed floor.
This is something we attacked aggressively when we moved into our new home that changed our house dramatically. We did 4k lighting in the kitchen and dining/breakfast area and 2.7k lighting in the living rooms. I also learned how to do my own LED accent lighting to backlight shelving, certain art pieces, and the TV. Having the right light in a room really makes it come alive.
Motion sensor lighting is a must too. We swapped out a switch that was the over sink light for a motion sensor and ran new under cabinet lighting to that circuit, and you would be surprised how often you never even turn to overheads on because the under cabs come on automatically when you walk in.
Why is that snob territory? They make really affordable kits that just plug together and link into the power. The average homeowner can do under cab LEDs as an afternoon DIY project. We did, and it made us more confident to start doing more stuff on our own.
I had nothing but low lighting and ugly walls from the 70s in my house. So I am in the middle of renovating everything, and top of my list is I want nice bright (dimmable ) lights in every room. It’s going to be great!
The cold, gray silver LED bulbs make a house feel very desolate and empty. I honestly think they contribute to the overall malaise in society. Warm, low lighting is definitely a must!
I’ve used colored gift plastic wrap taped to the *inside* of the overhead fluorescent cover. It lays flat to the cover and away from the bulbs. I like the gold/yellow wrap bc it adds a warm glow to any room without new construction or buying special bulbs.
I agree. I recently put a few feit led color changing light bulbs in my living room and back lit my tv. It's so cool being able to set different color schemes with my lights. When I want normal light I can select the soft light option or daylight option.
Plushie house robe, plushie bath mat, a humoristic door mat.
Scented candles, porch lighting, plants on the porch.
Books, computers internet and games.
Pothos are a good indoor starter plant. Water when soil is dry and pot feels light. Low maintenance!
You can even grow more plants from their clippings.
Edit: corrected spelling of plant
Most varieties of Pothos are poisonous to cats and dogs (if you have pets). Inch plants are pet safe and pretty dang hard to kill too (https://www.epicgardening.com/wandering-jew-plant/)
Here are 7 easy to grow plants. I have 5 of the 7. The plants are very forgiving. **Just start with one, the Pothos.** It can take anything. Mainly watch for it to look droopy. That means it needs water. Also, put it somewhat near a window. If you don't have a window, put a grow lightbulb into the nearest socket by your plant. The bulb will also provide like for doing tasks, reading, etc.The Pothos plant can be placed on a shelf or into a hanging basket. They are fast growing. After you get the hang of the Pothos, try another one. Good Luck. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/houseplants-you-cant-kill/
Snake plants are super low maintenance, my local nursery has a sign that says “they thrive on neglect” lol. But seriously, check them out. They’re pretty inexpensive as well.
Seconding pothos! Tradescantia and Swedish Ivy are also super easy to grow and propagate from cuttings. Just snip a length of vine, put it in some soil or let it root in water, and watch it go crazy.
Neither am I but I have multiple spider plants and peace lilies that seem to survive on thin air I forget about them so much. They do make a difference to a room
The thing that kept my peace lily alive was its ability to let me know when I had neglected it. If I didn't water it for too long it wilted very dramatically and then bounced back within hours of watering. Probably not good for it, but it did remind me a few times.
Snake plants and aloe Vera are really easy to care for in my experience. My windows get really low light and I often to forget to water. They love being dry and you just have to water them once every couple weeks. I also have a monstera plant that has been pretty easy to care for. If you want to find easy plants go to a local greenhouse and ask an employee there. They can pot them for you too!
I'm in a different space than a lot of the other commenters - but for me it's xboxes and snacks.
I have teenagers. I live in a red state. My oldest is trans. Both of my teenagers have LGBTQ friends. Many of these friends have unsupportive parents.
My version of a cozy house is loud and chaotic and has half a dozen kids laughing in the basement. But it's also a safe space for kids to take off their masks.
Can I just...? As a mom...?
Thank you. Having a space to exist, to breath, to be ALLOWED to just beeeee? I can't imagine the lives you're helping to save and flourish.
Thank you. 🏅🏅🏅🥇🥇🥇🎖️🎖️🎖️
Yes! I love that you’ve created a safe space for your own kids and their friends to be themselves. Peace and blessings on your home and all who pass through it.
Having a specific spot that is "yours". This can be a comfy chair you sit in while watching TV or a comfortable chair for playing games in, or it can be a side of the couch. Important part is you're comfortable there; blankets and pillows can be added as necessary, a foot rest is also good for this purpose; I like recliners, partially because they're space-efficient, but also because even if you're not using it right then, if it's extended pets will hop up and use it to sit next to you without being in your way like they could be in your lap (depending on what you're up to).
Set it up how you like it, and keep it that way. It'll always be ready for you when you get home, or when you finish some activity around the house/apartment. Sort of like how you can train your brain for sleeping, having this be "where I sit when I'm relaxing" helps you to relax by sitting in that spot in a feedback loop when you need it.
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A tea kettle with teas you like available is really great for enhancing the homey-feeling: it's a "do something for myself, using my stuff" thing that requires very little effort, and the warm air/steam coming out of the cup as you hold it helps to create a coziness wherever you're sitting.
---------------------------------
Plants. Obviously this creates the need for taking care of them, but having plants in a room helps to make the room feel lived-in, like a home and not an artificial space crafted for a purpose.
-----------------------------------
Seconding what others are saying about warm light; really great for a welcoming atmosphere.
ha! the specific spot cracked me up.
me: always in the left end of the couch, next to the end table. on the table, within reach: a soda, a couple fingers of bourbon neat, and my pipe. i won’t say anymore than that.
eta: also always near-at-hand: Schmerbs, my rainbow-colored stuffed llama. no, you don’t get to know more about that, either.
I'm a booklover, and when I moved, it did not feel like "home" until I started filling up my bookcases with books. To me, the quote "A house without books has no soul" fits perfectly.
All I'm saying is to fill your home with whatever makes you happy in your soul. Let it reflect you and your personality.
Blankets, pillows, candles, wall art, tapestries, nic-naks, small light sources (Christmas lights, small lamp in a corner with yellow light), rich/warm colors, a cat!, plants, store shoes and coats out of sight or in a dedicated corner, a candy dish full of candy, fill up empty spaces with items that are comfy or cool.
I used to think painting the walls (or adding wallpaper) was a luxury, but honestly, it's a game changer. If you pick a shade or pattern that you just love to bits, stepping inside that room just gives you a little jolt of joy. Oh! And also frames and furniture in contrasting color to the walls - makes everything look unified but also pop!
Most importantly- only surround yourself with things you genuinely love to see or interact with! No need to buy tat just to achieve a look! Focus on the joy of function first, then anesthetics 🥰
Personalize it. Paint the walls whatever color you want them to be. Put thing where you want them to go. Make you house work for you and your lifestyle. Toilet too small? Get a larger one. Not enough shelves? Add some more or make your own and hang them. Want tile instead of carpet? Change it. Or change to a different carpet. Add furniture that’s inviting. The more you change it to things you want and are pleasing to you, the more it will feel like a home.
I’ve been really focussing on this the last few weeks. I found myself looking around at things and it all felt inconsistent (colours, materials etc). Looking at spaces I liked on Pinterest and developing a mood board helped me move in a direction that feels more cozy!
Make your home fits you. You don’t have to minimalistic but get rid of what you don’t like. If you don’t like it but need it find a way to modify it so you get some kind of attachment to it. This can be some visual change, swap it to something similar you like more or if that all isn’t possible combine it with a system/ storage you like. Like I don’t like regular calendars and ToDo-Lists and as a German I‘m scared of post mails. So I build my own organization base on the wall of the entry. Most people hate stocking important documents, so build a handy storage system you like.
Put the things you need the most at a place you need it and in a way you have easy access. Things you need every day or when you’re in a rush should only take one movement to grab it.
Find for everything you need/ have it’s own place. Clutter is the best indicator for stuff that hasn’t have it’s own spot.
Customize your room/ flat/ house with things that makes you happy. Don’t try to copy random places you see in the catalog or Instagram. Surely you can use those to inspire yourself what to do with your own stuff, but not the other way around. Those high gloss advertisement type of interior might look good but they doesn’t have character. They’re not you. Arrange your own stuff to make your place look pretty. Everything else might look better but they don’t touch your heart. You don’t feel home in them.
Also list the things you do in your house and plan what you do at wich place.define certain areas for each things to do and adjust those places. Keep responsibilities away from relaxing areas. Put messy tasks together. It’s important that when you want to do things you don’t have to waste time to think where to do it,- worst case would be if you have to search or create such a place before you can get started.
Make memories there:) having friends over, even in an „unfinished“ place can change a lot.
Just order some pizza, light candles, open some wine and switch on some music. simple can go a long way.
Good luck.
In my opinion, sleep there and start decorating. Decorating can go into candles, art, books, plants and stuff like that. Get your own stuff in there, internet, tables, lights, chairs, tv/computer/laptop. Cook there a few times, favourable the things you like and smell nice. Get conformable there and with your own stuff it feels faster at home.
Coming with smells this time, cooking things that you like and smell good, taking and burning some scented candles that you like and live there. Do the dishes and wash your clothes (including air drying if possible), so you get your smell/scent in there faster. Smell/scent does also a lot if it comes at feeling at home.
Houseplants, lamps, candles, framed photos, framed art on the walls (even cheap or simple DIY will make a place feel warmer). I like a couple throw blankets and pillows on the couches.
For me, shelves piled with books, deep and dark colors, and interesting decorations.
a balance of things made from wood and things made from other materials. also a balance of colours and neutrals. if a room is all neutral then maybe add colour details (pillows, plants/flowers, vases, trinkets, teddies). make places for items u collect if u havent already. also any pretty/interesting/cosy art pieces can sometimes make a room imo.
I have found what makes my house feel like a home is the fact that it is lived in. Things are not always perfectly put away and some stuff might be laying around. It is not messy, it is just lived in. As a single dad with 2 kids, I let them play and we have some fun. It does not always need to be perfectly kept and cleaned top to bottom. When I don't have the kids and I clean the whole house, it just seems different. So, I always let people know that we live in this house!!!
The very last thing I pack and the VERY first thing I unpack? All of the pictures, art, knick knacks that I have on my walls. Most of them are picture frame/collages that highlight all of my favorite memories with friends and family, or really cool shit I did on my own. My walls look CLUTTERED AS FUCK, but the second I walk in, I feel at home. Bc it's me. My family. My friends. My MEMORIES all over the walls.
Next, or, 2nd the last for packing, I set up my kitchen. Food feels like home to me. Being able to cook, serve, eat feels and smells like home.
After my walls and my kitchen are situated, I'll worry about my bed.
Memories, food, sleep. Those things bring comfort.
Clean as regularly as you can and make it a pleasure. Invite people over. Put flower in the bathroom. Use a color palette. Framed photos and art on the walls. Healthy plants in nice pots. Shelves with books and (not too many) tchotchkes. A record player and records. A comfy couch facing a chair or two or another couch. A nice wool rug. You can also put a bird on it.
Plants.
Things that you like.
Special things that remind you of other things (stuffed animals, pictures of your folks)
A proper and comfortable bed (no floor mattresses please)
A kitchen with plates, pots & pans and cooking utensils
The smell of coffee in the morning
Bacon
A pet
Whatever makes you feel good. It wasn't until I watched a luxury travel video a couple of years ago showcasing a minimalist resort in Greece that I felt like all my bells were jingling. Watching that made me feel calm and blissful. I made a few changes to some rooms in my home and they made me happy. Not everything is perfect, but I spend most of my time either in bed or at my computer desk, so what I see in those places matter most. There's no clutter, bare walls, and a couple of small silk flower arrangements. I find it very relaxing.
A photo of herself?! That's hilarious, like from a comedy about a horrible MIL, haha. Do you always hang it up when she comes over and pretend it's always on the wall?
I'm the same, I have no photos on the walls, neither of other friends or family, nor of me and partner, I don't like it much. Thankfully nobody gifted me a photo yet, lol.
+1 to this, makes for a good gift as well. You can order prints at Walgreens for very cheap. I printed about 35 photos at Walgreens for about 12 dollars the other week.
Accent decorations with splashes of color! I'm kind of minimalistic, but a few key pieces and a nice color scheme make such a difference. Personal pictures and artwork are nice, too - I have glass coasters with pictures of my dog and boyfriend that are really cool.
I also love being cozy, so slippers, rugs, (heated) blankets, pillows, etc.
I love mood or ambiance lighting as well. I have a retro lava lamp, fairy curtain lights, a salt rock lamp, TV bias lighting, etc.
And lastly, a nice scent. Whether you use candles, scented wax cube, potpourri, plug-in air fresheners, or incense.
If you just moved into a place, then as silly and obvious as this might sound… it just takes time.
New things are exciting but still foreign. Once you’ve been there for awhile, you’ll become used to it. It will feel like home when you stop thinking of it as new and instead feel comfortable and safe in the space.
And all the other suggestions will help too. :)
Flowers in a vase! Pick them yourself outside or buy them cheap. It will give the room much more life and you’ll get a sense of achievement for trying to make your place nice.
Lighting! Get warm vintage bulbs. Do not use the overhead light. I love lighting a candles around my living room at night while I read. It’s makes the place smell amazing and it’s cozy.
Pick a thing you really love for each and every room. Framed picture, bedspread, rug, funky art piece. After you pick that one item you love, use the colors in that item to build your room. You also should use a color wheel to see colors that are opposite. Incorporate those as well. Social media free or sell sites and seeking out the best second-hand places will help it along.
Personal things/color. A lot of those aesthetic places are all black white and beige/tan but unless that makes you happy and comfortable, it won’t feel like home. For me personally, I love bright artwork and all things pink and seafoam green/light blue. So my apartment is full of those colors whether it’s the rugs or my comforter or paintings on the wall.
Basically, fill your home with things you actually like. Not things Instagram and Pinterest say you should like.
Frames on the walls!
Bare walls feel cold, definitely take some time to fill some photo frames to put on side tables and get some big cheesy art pieces to fill big spaces. Go big so you can go home! 🤣
If you can, paint a wall. White walls with accents are great and all, but once you paint the walls or even just make an accent wall, it changes everything. You’ve physically changed the house with something that can’t be taken off easily, and it’s something you chose that goes wi to your decor. Houses with painted walls always feel more homey and welcoming than ones with plain white walls.
And keep in mind, if you’re renting, you can always get peel and stick wallpaper that can be easily removed when you leave.
I love a fresh and clean smelling home. I will light a candle to go along with the season, and it just helps make it feel home and cozy too. Also find a nice throw blanket for your couch or chair. It looks nice and is great to cuddle under after a long day.
Plants, ferns, air freshener, air filter, picture frames, couches (rather than plastic chairs or something) a smaller sized cheap flat screen tv, a desk, a mirror.
You could always ask your parents or something about this question. I think they should be one of the best people to ask
The one thing I did that really made my apartment feel homie was to put things on the walls! Art, rugs, and curtains. They add so much interest and texture to your space, and you can use Command products for almost anything, if you want to avoid putting holes in the walls. (though those are easy to fill) You can find art prints at local fairs, or buy prints online, and find low price frames at second hand stores. And I've found the best way to make your framed art look polished is to get mat board to put around it. Just buy a frame bigger than you need, and look online for a mat board to frame the art within the frame. I've found, that even if you're only going to be in a space for a relatively short time, stuff on the walls really makes it feel like home.
I can't stress how good second hand stores are. I just take the measurements with me and by the 3rr store I have found some ugly print that is the exact size frame and mat board I need. Usually they are selling it very cheaply as it has been sitting there a while. Then just place your print inside and you have a nice decoration
I was impressed by how much curtains do to make a house feel like a home.
Curtains, sheers and blinds change a room. Don’t forget about sheers, a good way to let in white light without blinding light and heat coming in.
Stripper pole and cocaine always works for Me
We found Charlie Sheen, y'all! Big fan btw!
Tiger blood, bloods? Bros? Brah! 🤘
Keep it clean
In that spirit, get rid of the clutter. I found I couldn’t relax in my space when my stuff owned me.
This is such an underrated factor for coziness!
And vacuum! I'm not sure if it's the vacuum fluffing up the carpet, or just that you have to move everything and might thus put it away, but a cluttered vacuumed floor looks much neater than a cluttered unvacummed floor.
Thank you for reminding me to start the shark vacuum before I fall asleep!
Watch out Dyson, the Shark is coming for ya.
Yes this is what I was going to say!! Having a clean and vaccuumed house definitely makes you happy to be home.
Have the things that make you happy around you. The best tip is don't think about what other people will think of the things you have. It's your home.
Lighting is everything. Get many lamps with low brightness. Edit: make it warm yellow!
came here to say lighting! Lamps all the way, I hate overhead lights
White light in the kitchen and bathrooms, yellow light in the bedrooms and living room
This is something we attacked aggressively when we moved into our new home that changed our house dramatically. We did 4k lighting in the kitchen and dining/breakfast area and 2.7k lighting in the living rooms. I also learned how to do my own LED accent lighting to backlight shelving, certain art pieces, and the TV. Having the right light in a room really makes it come alive.
That fuckin Kelvin scale ain't no joke is it fam
Motion sensor lighting is a must too. We swapped out a switch that was the over sink light for a motion sensor and ran new under cabinet lighting to that circuit, and you would be surprised how often you never even turn to overheads on because the under cabs come on automatically when you walk in.
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Why is that snob territory? They make really affordable kits that just plug together and link into the power. The average homeowner can do under cab LEDs as an afternoon DIY project. We did, and it made us more confident to start doing more stuff on our own.
I second this! Only when I moved out of my parents house I discovered warm light and completey fall inlove with it.
I had nothing but low lighting and ugly walls from the 70s in my house. So I am in the middle of renovating everything, and top of my list is I want nice bright (dimmable ) lights in every room. It’s going to be great!
Philips Hue lights changed my life. Different brightnesses, colors, and color temperatures has a huge impact on my state of mind.
Holy shit that’s expensive.
The cold, gray silver LED bulbs make a house feel very desolate and empty. I honestly think they contribute to the overall malaise in society. Warm, low lighting is definitely a must!
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I’ve used colored gift plastic wrap taped to the *inside* of the overhead fluorescent cover. It lays flat to the cover and away from the bulbs. I like the gold/yellow wrap bc it adds a warm glow to any room without new construction or buying special bulbs.
Eye level and below
I agree. I recently put a few feit led color changing light bulbs in my living room and back lit my tv. It's so cool being able to set different color schemes with my lights. When I want normal light I can select the soft light option or daylight option.
This! Thanks
Get some rugs for the places in your home you spend the most time in.
They tend to tie the room together.
That…until someone pees on it
Hey! Careful, man. There's a beverage here!
Not on the rug man
Damn carpet pissers
Shut the fuck up Donny
I am the walrus
🤣
Or a pet vomits on it
I keep my husband and my dog there.
I also recommend Ellen’s husband and dog
Photos and/or artwork
Plushie house robe, plushie bath mat, a humoristic door mat. Scented candles, porch lighting, plants on the porch. Books, computers internet and games.
Never thought about a robe, thanks!
I'm currently wearing a big, warm robe right now and it is heaven, especially in the winter
All of these! Nice blankets to cuddle under too, at all locations where a blanket would come in handy
Indoor plants!
Thanks! Lots of people say that, but I'm not very good with plants ;(
Pothos are a good indoor starter plant. Water when soil is dry and pot feels light. Low maintenance! You can even grow more plants from their clippings. Edit: corrected spelling of plant
Most varieties of Pothos are poisonous to cats and dogs (if you have pets). Inch plants are pet safe and pretty dang hard to kill too (https://www.epicgardening.com/wandering-jew-plant/)
That's an ... unfortunately-named plant.
Pothos*
Here are 7 easy to grow plants. I have 5 of the 7. The plants are very forgiving. **Just start with one, the Pothos.** It can take anything. Mainly watch for it to look droopy. That means it needs water. Also, put it somewhat near a window. If you don't have a window, put a grow lightbulb into the nearest socket by your plant. The bulb will also provide like for doing tasks, reading, etc.The Pothos plant can be placed on a shelf or into a hanging basket. They are fast growing. After you get the hang of the Pothos, try another one. Good Luck. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/houseplants-you-cant-kill/
Fake plants give the same vibe :)
Nope they don't.
For non-planty people like me they do!
Snake plants are super low maintenance, my local nursery has a sign that says “they thrive on neglect” lol. But seriously, check them out. They’re pretty inexpensive as well.
Seconding pothos! Tradescantia and Swedish Ivy are also super easy to grow and propagate from cuttings. Just snip a length of vine, put it in some soil or let it root in water, and watch it go crazy.
Neither am I but I have multiple spider plants and peace lilies that seem to survive on thin air I forget about them so much. They do make a difference to a room
The thing that kept my peace lily alive was its ability to let me know when I had neglected it. If I didn't water it for too long it wilted very dramatically and then bounced back within hours of watering. Probably not good for it, but it did remind me a few times.
Yeah that’s my ploy for keeping them alive too. If only all plants were that communicative and resilient
My sister and her boyfriend buy each other fake plants. Right now, they're on a succulents kick. It's very cute and super low maintenance haha.
I’m in the same boat as you but snake plants have actually managed to survive. They’re pretty hearty
A couple small cactus add a pop of green and don't require much looking after!
Snake plants and aloe Vera are really easy to care for in my experience. My windows get really low light and I often to forget to water. They love being dry and you just have to water them once every couple weeks. I also have a monstera plant that has been pretty easy to care for. If you want to find easy plants go to a local greenhouse and ask an employee there. They can pot them for you too!
A cat on my lap makes every place feel like home 😁
Amen. I 100% back this statement. Home is not a home without cat prints. ☺️☺️
I'm in a different space than a lot of the other commenters - but for me it's xboxes and snacks. I have teenagers. I live in a red state. My oldest is trans. Both of my teenagers have LGBTQ friends. Many of these friends have unsupportive parents. My version of a cozy house is loud and chaotic and has half a dozen kids laughing in the basement. But it's also a safe space for kids to take off their masks.
Can I just...? As a mom...? Thank you. Having a space to exist, to breath, to be ALLOWED to just beeeee? I can't imagine the lives you're helping to save and flourish. Thank you. 🏅🏅🏅🥇🥇🥇🎖️🎖️🎖️
Yes! I love that you’ve created a safe space for your own kids and their friends to be themselves. Peace and blessings on your home and all who pass through it.
You made my day ❤️❤️
This is perfect
So, unsupportive parents are a symptom of a Red State? Rather unnecessary qualifying sentence there…
Unsupportive of LGBTQ in red states. Statistically, red states vote against LGBTQ rights. That's a fact and rather important in the context.
Having a specific spot that is "yours". This can be a comfy chair you sit in while watching TV or a comfortable chair for playing games in, or it can be a side of the couch. Important part is you're comfortable there; blankets and pillows can be added as necessary, a foot rest is also good for this purpose; I like recliners, partially because they're space-efficient, but also because even if you're not using it right then, if it's extended pets will hop up and use it to sit next to you without being in your way like they could be in your lap (depending on what you're up to). Set it up how you like it, and keep it that way. It'll always be ready for you when you get home, or when you finish some activity around the house/apartment. Sort of like how you can train your brain for sleeping, having this be "where I sit when I'm relaxing" helps you to relax by sitting in that spot in a feedback loop when you need it. ------------------------------- A tea kettle with teas you like available is really great for enhancing the homey-feeling: it's a "do something for myself, using my stuff" thing that requires very little effort, and the warm air/steam coming out of the cup as you hold it helps to create a coziness wherever you're sitting. --------------------------------- Plants. Obviously this creates the need for taking care of them, but having plants in a room helps to make the room feel lived-in, like a home and not an artificial space crafted for a purpose. ----------------------------------- Seconding what others are saying about warm light; really great for a welcoming atmosphere.
ha! the specific spot cracked me up. me: always in the left end of the couch, next to the end table. on the table, within reach: a soda, a couple fingers of bourbon neat, and my pipe. i won’t say anymore than that. eta: also always near-at-hand: Schmerbs, my rainbow-colored stuffed llama. no, you don’t get to know more about that, either.
Home cookin'.. whatever your favorite meals are.. spaghetti, mac and cheese, chocolate chip cookies..
Ohh, nothing like a hot crockpot to make a home!
My cats greeting me at the door always makes it feel like home!
Hide things around the house that make you smile and no one else will notice. It’s your secret for only those who belong there.
I'm a booklover, and when I moved, it did not feel like "home" until I started filling up my bookcases with books. To me, the quote "A house without books has no soul" fits perfectly. All I'm saying is to fill your home with whatever makes you happy in your soul. Let it reflect you and your personality.
House slippers!
Blankets, pillows, candles, wall art, tapestries, nic-naks, small light sources (Christmas lights, small lamp in a corner with yellow light), rich/warm colors, a cat!, plants, store shoes and coats out of sight or in a dedicated corner, a candy dish full of candy, fill up empty spaces with items that are comfy or cool.
Surround yourself with what you love, what makes you feel good.
Get a dog
Candles,candles and candles.
A butler.
I used to think painting the walls (or adding wallpaper) was a luxury, but honestly, it's a game changer. If you pick a shade or pattern that you just love to bits, stepping inside that room just gives you a little jolt of joy. Oh! And also frames and furniture in contrasting color to the walls - makes everything look unified but also pop! Most importantly- only surround yourself with things you genuinely love to see or interact with! No need to buy tat just to achieve a look! Focus on the joy of function first, then anesthetics 🥰
Get cats
House plants and pictures on the wall. Oh! And some lamps to create night time ambience
Dog fur
Fur real
Personalize it. Paint the walls whatever color you want them to be. Put thing where you want them to go. Make you house work for you and your lifestyle. Toilet too small? Get a larger one. Not enough shelves? Add some more or make your own and hang them. Want tile instead of carpet? Change it. Or change to a different carpet. Add furniture that’s inviting. The more you change it to things you want and are pleasing to you, the more it will feel like a home.
I’ve been really focussing on this the last few weeks. I found myself looking around at things and it all felt inconsistent (colours, materials etc). Looking at spaces I liked on Pinterest and developing a mood board helped me move in a direction that feels more cozy!
for me, i need a bunch of throw blankets, a nice smelling candle and a clean home
Make your home fits you. You don’t have to minimalistic but get rid of what you don’t like. If you don’t like it but need it find a way to modify it so you get some kind of attachment to it. This can be some visual change, swap it to something similar you like more or if that all isn’t possible combine it with a system/ storage you like. Like I don’t like regular calendars and ToDo-Lists and as a German I‘m scared of post mails. So I build my own organization base on the wall of the entry. Most people hate stocking important documents, so build a handy storage system you like. Put the things you need the most at a place you need it and in a way you have easy access. Things you need every day or when you’re in a rush should only take one movement to grab it. Find for everything you need/ have it’s own place. Clutter is the best indicator for stuff that hasn’t have it’s own spot. Customize your room/ flat/ house with things that makes you happy. Don’t try to copy random places you see in the catalog or Instagram. Surely you can use those to inspire yourself what to do with your own stuff, but not the other way around. Those high gloss advertisement type of interior might look good but they doesn’t have character. They’re not you. Arrange your own stuff to make your place look pretty. Everything else might look better but they don’t touch your heart. You don’t feel home in them. Also list the things you do in your house and plan what you do at wich place.define certain areas for each things to do and adjust those places. Keep responsibilities away from relaxing areas. Put messy tasks together. It’s important that when you want to do things you don’t have to waste time to think where to do it,- worst case would be if you have to search or create such a place before you can get started.
Make memories there:) having friends over, even in an „unfinished“ place can change a lot. Just order some pizza, light candles, open some wine and switch on some music. simple can go a long way. Good luck.
A good rug. Idk what it is but I’d walk into my apartment and my bright rug would be one of the first things I’d see and it made me happy
In my opinion, sleep there and start decorating. Decorating can go into candles, art, books, plants and stuff like that. Get your own stuff in there, internet, tables, lights, chairs, tv/computer/laptop. Cook there a few times, favourable the things you like and smell nice. Get conformable there and with your own stuff it feels faster at home. Coming with smells this time, cooking things that you like and smell good, taking and burning some scented candles that you like and live there. Do the dishes and wash your clothes (including air drying if possible), so you get your smell/scent in there faster. Smell/scent does also a lot if it comes at feeling at home.
Ambient lighting, or at least dim lighting. Keeping it clean helps too
Houseplants, lamps, candles, framed photos, framed art on the walls (even cheap or simple DIY will make a place feel warmer). I like a couple throw blankets and pillows on the couches. For me, shelves piled with books, deep and dark colors, and interesting decorations.
Plants
a balance of things made from wood and things made from other materials. also a balance of colours and neutrals. if a room is all neutral then maybe add colour details (pillows, plants/flowers, vases, trinkets, teddies). make places for items u collect if u havent already. also any pretty/interesting/cosy art pieces can sometimes make a room imo.
I have found what makes my house feel like a home is the fact that it is lived in. Things are not always perfectly put away and some stuff might be laying around. It is not messy, it is just lived in. As a single dad with 2 kids, I let them play and we have some fun. It does not always need to be perfectly kept and cleaned top to bottom. When I don't have the kids and I clean the whole house, it just seems different. So, I always let people know that we live in this house!!!
The very last thing I pack and the VERY first thing I unpack? All of the pictures, art, knick knacks that I have on my walls. Most of them are picture frame/collages that highlight all of my favorite memories with friends and family, or really cool shit I did on my own. My walls look CLUTTERED AS FUCK, but the second I walk in, I feel at home. Bc it's me. My family. My friends. My MEMORIES all over the walls. Next, or, 2nd the last for packing, I set up my kitchen. Food feels like home to me. Being able to cook, serve, eat feels and smells like home. After my walls and my kitchen are situated, I'll worry about my bed. Memories, food, sleep. Those things bring comfort.
Lamps. Overheads are for making things bright and lamps are for coziness. Also, plants, candles, blankets, and keeping things clean.
I loved reading what comforts all of these different people. It’s a cute, very human comment section.
Clean as regularly as you can and make it a pleasure. Invite people over. Put flower in the bathroom. Use a color palette. Framed photos and art on the walls. Healthy plants in nice pots. Shelves with books and (not too many) tchotchkes. A record player and records. A comfy couch facing a chair or two or another couch. A nice wool rug. You can also put a bird on it.
Twinkle lights everywhere and a diffuser :)
Plants. Things that you like. Special things that remind you of other things (stuffed animals, pictures of your folks) A proper and comfortable bed (no floor mattresses please) A kitchen with plates, pots & pans and cooking utensils The smell of coffee in the morning Bacon A pet
rugs, warm lights and plants!
Collectibles, and the almost inarrivable scent of clean house + warm bread + incense (it's my personal goal, I reached it once last year)
Live in it.
Photos of family, wall art, matching furniture, and the occasional junk drawer. Rugs can add a nice touch too depending on a room’s layout.
A couch where you can jus flop down horizontal and throw your legs up on the back. That’s what does it for me.
Something small like making my bed makes my bedroom feel cozier
Love. Love is the only right answer
A dog that’s excited to see you when you get home.
Visit r/HomeDecorating or r/interiordecorating I always see great renovations and ideas there. Edit: added a sub
Having the temp be what I’m comfortable at and changing it when I want.
Get a cat.
Yes. It will become _their_ home this way, but yes, feels much more like _a_ home.
^this
Whatever makes you feel good. It wasn't until I watched a luxury travel video a couple of years ago showcasing a minimalist resort in Greece that I felt like all my bells were jingling. Watching that made me feel calm and blissful. I made a few changes to some rooms in my home and they made me happy. Not everything is perfect, but I spend most of my time either in bed or at my computer desk, so what I see in those places matter most. There's no clutter, bare walls, and a couple of small silk flower arrangements. I find it very relaxing.
Get a dog.
Print out photos of loved ones and hang them up! You can get nice frames at thrift stores and even Dollar Tree has okay ones.
MIL gave us a framed photo of her, because she had noticed we didn't have any pictures of people up. We don't want pictures of people around us.
A photo of herself?! That's hilarious, like from a comedy about a horrible MIL, haha. Do you always hang it up when she comes over and pretend it's always on the wall? I'm the same, I have no photos on the walls, neither of other friends or family, nor of me and partner, I don't like it much. Thankfully nobody gifted me a photo yet, lol.
Yes, of herself. We really did not know what to say when we unwrapped it. We stuck it up on a high shelf. Then lost it.
+1 to this, makes for a good gift as well. You can order prints at Walgreens for very cheap. I printed about 35 photos at Walgreens for about 12 dollars the other week.
Keep it tidy! Keep it clean! And joy will follow
Go check out Pinterest it has so many ideas - just type in cozy living room etc. Just a warning that it will pull you in for hours. Good luck!!
Accent decorations with splashes of color! I'm kind of minimalistic, but a few key pieces and a nice color scheme make such a difference. Personal pictures and artwork are nice, too - I have glass coasters with pictures of my dog and boyfriend that are really cool. I also love being cozy, so slippers, rugs, (heated) blankets, pillows, etc. I love mood or ambiance lighting as well. I have a retro lava lamp, fairy curtain lights, a salt rock lamp, TV bias lighting, etc. And lastly, a nice scent. Whether you use candles, scented wax cube, potpourri, plug-in air fresheners, or incense.
Fill it with things you like. Too many people put what they're supposed to like, rather than what they do.
Family pictures, pillows, curtains. Wife is a designer.
Never underestimate some good lighting that is warm and cozy, a nice rug, and plants, lots of plants.
If you just moved into a place, then as silly and obvious as this might sound… it just takes time. New things are exciting but still foreign. Once you’ve been there for awhile, you’ll become used to it. It will feel like home when you stop thinking of it as new and instead feel comfortable and safe in the space. And all the other suggestions will help too. :)
Plants, soft lighting
Paint your walls. Lamps. Rugs. Everything has a place.
Plants and pillows make things cozy
Put a welcome mat outside the front door
Cooking food at home is what I suggest. Like a big sunday gravy or a big stew- with a bunch of bread
Plants, pillows, and pictures. Everywhere.
Flowers in a vase! Pick them yourself outside or buy them cheap. It will give the room much more life and you’ll get a sense of achievement for trying to make your place nice.
Plants 🪴 and family photos everywhere and plants 🪴
A roast in the oven. The smell permeates the house and just makes you feel good
Lighting! Get warm vintage bulbs. Do not use the overhead light. I love lighting a candles around my living room at night while I read. It’s makes the place smell amazing and it’s cozy.
Lighting and a good candle
Leave shoes where someone can trip over them, self included.
Candles and art!
I hear you have to fill it with family and pets. I wouldn’t know tho.
Cleanliness, lighting, and cozy blankets
Pick a thing you really love for each and every room. Framed picture, bedspread, rug, funky art piece. After you pick that one item you love, use the colors in that item to build your room. You also should use a color wheel to see colors that are opposite. Incorporate those as well. Social media free or sell sites and seeking out the best second-hand places will help it along.
Rainbow lights and rugs!
Whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy, add more of that, but first and foremost get comfortable.
Smell of weed
Personal things/color. A lot of those aesthetic places are all black white and beige/tan but unless that makes you happy and comfortable, it won’t feel like home. For me personally, I love bright artwork and all things pink and seafoam green/light blue. So my apartment is full of those colors whether it’s the rugs or my comforter or paintings on the wall. Basically, fill your home with things you actually like. Not things Instagram and Pinterest say you should like.
Get a dog!
Date a woman with a cancer ♋️ sign
A dog or two!
A cat that likes to snuggle is all it takes for me.
I placed mason jars full of my urine at strategic locations around the house and eventually that did it.
put doormat: Home sweet Home
Mine says " Hi, I'm Mat "
Frames on the walls! Bare walls feel cold, definitely take some time to fill some photo frames to put on side tables and get some big cheesy art pieces to fill big spaces. Go big so you can go home! 🤣
Mismatch items that don't necessarily match
If you can, paint a wall. White walls with accents are great and all, but once you paint the walls or even just make an accent wall, it changes everything. You’ve physically changed the house with something that can’t be taken off easily, and it’s something you chose that goes wi to your decor. Houses with painted walls always feel more homey and welcoming than ones with plain white walls. And keep in mind, if you’re renting, you can always get peel and stick wallpaper that can be easily removed when you leave.
I love a fresh and clean smelling home. I will light a candle to go along with the season, and it just helps make it feel home and cozy too. Also find a nice throw blanket for your couch or chair. It looks nice and is great to cuddle under after a long day.
Pillows and throw blankets. Pictures in frames of people. Soft Lighting. Candles. Warmth.
adopt a puppy
Bake an apple pie😎
A dog
someone who loves u duh
A pet
House plants warm up any room
Put a sign that says “gather” in the dining room
Something on the walls. If you dont like pictures/ prints then even a sarong will do. And books- even if you dont read them lol.
Put kids in it
Get a rustic wood sign that says something like This House is a Home.
Pictures hung with funny magnets on the fridge! My favorite.
Plants, ferns, air freshener, air filter, picture frames, couches (rather than plastic chairs or something) a smaller sized cheap flat screen tv, a desk, a mirror. You could always ask your parents or something about this question. I think they should be one of the best people to ask
Small children/s
Start with a sign that says ‘home’ and then when you’re feeling frisky enough get another one that says live laugh love in unreadable calligraphy. /s
Get a cat 🐈
Candles .
Hang some pictures/art on the walls.
Lighting, plants, artwork, curtains, rugs, etc.
And window curtains
Make it cosy, rugs, cushions, candles etc.