Home Sweet Home: How to Make a House a Home
Buying a new home is exciting. It's full of potential. You get to decorate a new space and bring in those final touches that really make your house feel like it belongs to you.
But what does it take to make a house a home? Sure, some people love the minimalist and "cold" look of a modern house, but if you want to make your house feel loved and lived in, it requires a few personal elements.
We're here to help you make your space feel like it belongs to you and make your home more comfortable. Keep reading for our favorite home tips.
Paint the Walls
When you lived in your old home, you had everything decorated to perfection. Then, whether you sold with a realtor or through an online service, you suddenly had to start over.
There's nothing like having a blank slate to play with, and your new home is no exception. You don't have to keep the blank and neutral walls that so many sellers use to make a more appealing home. Why not go wild?
Paint the walls the way that you've always envisioned. Do you want a statement wall in your living room? Have you always wanted to paint a room black, but you were too nervous about making it "unsellable?"
Now's your time to shine.
If you're into wallpaper, why not try that? Using wallpaper is easier and more temporary than ever. You can find plenty of peel and stick wallpaper varieties for every personal home aesthetic.
You'll notice an immediate difference when you add some color to your walls.
Decorate the Walls
Speaking of adding color to the walls, why not add some extra decorations as well?
When you own your home, you're free to make holes in the walls as you please. That means it's time to start hanging up art and photos.
Do you have a collection of family photos? Whether your family consists of your partner, you and your children, or just you and your pets, putting personal photos around the house is a great way to make it feel like home.
Not big on family photos? No problem. This is also the perfect time to incorporate some of your favorite artwork.
If you want to create a cohesive photo and art space, why not create a gallery wall? Gallery walls are a great way to incorporate all of your favorite photos and art pieces in one space.
Whether you like more "generic" artwork like pieces from craft and home stores, or you love pieces from professional independent artists, there's something for everyone.
Include Family Heirlooms
Even if most of your furniture is new, it's nice to incorporate a few old pieces if you have them.
Do you have your grandmother's china hutch? What about an old couch from your parents' house? While these things aren't as bright and shiny as the new furniture in your home, they make your house feel more "yours" and give it a warm touch.
If you don't have any old furniture like this, why not include a few heirlooms? Things like old quilts that you can drape over the back of a chair, an old globe that you can use as decoration or anything else that strikes your fancy and fits into your new living space.
Have Friends Over
One of the quickest and most fun ways to start making your house feel more like a home is by having friends and family over.
If you've moved far away from your old home, this can be not easy. If you're in the same area, though, host a small housewarming party for yourself. Filling your home with joy and laughter will make it feel more "yours" in no time.
Hosting a housewarming party is easy, and no one expects you to have everything neat and together right after you move in. Your friends and family might also be able to offer you more ideas on how to improve the house!
Create Planned "Clutter" Spaces
Many of us consider "clutter" a bad thing. While it's good to keep your house clean and neat, you can incorporate strategic "clutter" that isn't true clutter at all.
By this, we mean that you can create spaces that look cozy instead of cold.
For example, consider a child's room. Giving them a corner with a few cluttered toys and a dollhouse doesn't look messy; it looks lived in. Similarly, leaning a piece of framed artwork against a wall on a shelf and putting some decorative items in front of it gives you a "cluttered" look that also looks intentional.
This gives your house a cozy and lived-in look without making it seem like a mess.
Individualize Each Room
There's no reason that the entire house has to stick with one aesthetic. Why not incorporate some variety?
Let each of your rooms express something different. Whether you live alone or have other people living with you, make sure that every room is personalized.
If you have children, don't be afraid to let them make some decisions. While you want to make sure you don't go over the top, allowing them to choose their wall colors and furniture pieces is a great way to make the house feel like a home for them as well.
Is Your House a Home Yet?
If you're still trying to figure out how to make your house a home, start by incorporating some helpful tips. You deserve to love your home, and by figuring out how to make your home more comfortable and personal, you'll be well on your way.
Time to create a vision board and start planning your perfect home.
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