Make your House to Home
When we move, we focus our energy on settling in—arranging furniture, unpacking personal items, and storing the things we use every day where they need to go.
Although I find that sometimes people never feel fully packed, settled, and “at home.” Or they’ve been in their home for years but have accumulated so much stuff over the years or their lifestyle has changed so much that they no longer feel “just.” Or sometimes, they become too concerned with designing their home to look like a magazine spread and forget to add meaningful and comfortable things that feel like themselves.
Especially during busy and stressful times, it is very important to feel comfortable in your home. Our environment has a huge impact on our emotional and mental health – either promoting happiness, or, on the other hand, anxiety, and depression. Clutter, unfinished projects, and impersonal spaces can lead to anxiety and frustration, leaving you feeling lifeless. On the other hand, bright, warm, simple, and meaningful spaces will help you feel energized and relaxed.
But here’s the thing.
Everyone around the world decorates their home in different ways. Some like very minimal, clean spaces with a few carefully crafted pieces of artwork. Others like tons of pillows throws, and rugs to sink into. Whatever your style, just remember that living with the essentials for a meaningful and happy life, and designing your home to make life simple, is key. Interior design trends that require you to buy expensive furniture and arrange your bookshelves by color don’t make your home a home.
Maybe your house felt like home the first time you walked through the front door. As you toured the kitchen, you could already see yourself entertaining friends and family. But for some of us, it takes a little more effort to truly feel at home. Here are some ideas to create a stronger connection with your space – and turn your house into a home.
I’d like to share some key things that, no matter what style you gravitate toward, will help you settle in and love your home (again). These things will help you feel “at home” and be able to thrive.
Ways that make your House to Home
Have a home for everything.
Each item in your home should have a specific home. That way, things aren’t — or at least don’t need to be — thrown into the spare room or piled up on the counter. Make sure you use drawer dividers, small boxes, and lots of baskets and bins to create a home for all the little things you love. If you can’t find a home for it – consider that you probably don’t need it.
Create more space.
A home that feels comfortable and that flows well is one that isn’t too cluttered with things on the floor and surfaces. So, make sure to take the time to either rearrange or remove items that aren’t serving the intended purpose or that you absolutely love. There should be free space on the floor and along the walls, and counters should have a clear area to work on. Tables and bench tops and surfaces such as dressers or consoles should also not be filled to the brim. The visual space creates a calmer and more “finished” environment. To get started decluttering, check out these tips.
Add a rug.
Carpets are an investment worth their weight in gold. They make a home feel more comfortable and less like a cavernous space. Consider adding a large rug to your living room and/or family room, as well as your bedroom. You may also want to add a runner in the hallway or kitchen.
Add lighting.
Different types of lighting also make a home feel warmer and more homely. Add pendants to an island or sink. Add a floor lamp from a reading chair. The skins on both sides of the bed look beautiful and are very functional. And, table and desk lamps provide accent lighting that can instantly warm up a space. Check out this post on getting the lighting right.
Extract meaningful objects.
Don’t keep your favorite things or memories in storage – bring them out and put them on display. Use one or two of your favorite pieces of your grandmother’s China on an open shelf and donate the rest. Buy frames in one color, copy photos in black and white and create a gallery wall of your loved ones. Or display a collection of travel memorabilia on a bookshelf so you see her smile every day.
Create a quiet corner.
Everyone in the house (but especially you!) should have a quiet corner – a place you can go to for quiet thinking, reading, journaling, etc. Make it comfortable so you’ll be motivated to use it. You’ll be more grateful for your home and life when you have – and use – your quiet corner every day!
Add natural elements.
Connecting with nature is instantly grounding and calming. In my opinion it instantly makes a house a home. Add plants, or if you’re not comfortable trying to keep something alive, bring in wooden elements, rocks, sticks, shells, or flowers.
Rearrange your furniture.
Nothing is as easy as rearranging furniture. (For larger pieces, you may want to enlist the help of a friend.) You’ll be surprised how much your space can look different just by moving the couch, table, dresser, or bed. Your room may even feel a little bigger. It will definitely feel fresh and new.
Use those old paint cans.
You most likely have cans of paint sitting in your basement or garage. Gallon sized tins that can be 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full. Add some color, pizzazz and depth to your rooms. If you don’t have enough to paint the entire room, consider painting an accent wall or even the ceiling. Paint the inside of your cabinets or bookcases. Give old furniture a new look with a coat of paint.
Put the old fabric switches to use
Dig out any fabric samples you have and use them individually or collectively as pillow and bolster covers for your bed or couch. You can create a patchwork pattern or you can frame the swatches that are most interesting and fun to create fun and colorful wall art.
Refresh the clothes.
Give curtains, sheets, pillows and bedding a new look by adding ruffles, pompoms or ribbon to the borders. Just adding them to the borders can make a simple pillow (sheet or bed) more whimsical, sophisticated and beautiful. You’d be surprised how something so simple can change!
Show your stuff.
Whether you are an avid collector or have beautiful and unique items, it makes no sense to keep them hidden behind closed cabinet doors and drawers. Get out decorative pots, bowls, pitchers, muffin tins and rolling pins. Bring out whatever you collect and display it proudly, whether by hanging them or stacking them on tables, counters and bookshelves. Instead of scattering different candle holders around your home, bring them together in one place and display them together.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Add large mirrors to your space. Mirrors will open up your space and add natural light to the room. Large mirrors need to lean against a wall or rest on a mantel for a simple and perfect touch. Add a mirror, add several. You can’t go wrong here!
Put your unused fireplace to good use
If your fireplace isn’t in use, take advantage of this natural focal point. A fireplace is the greatest asset of any room, so make it work! Paint the inside of your fireplace a bright or bold color. Place a large plant, rock or other specimen within the space. Create a small scene or color using art, coffee table books and other collectibles. Gather candles of all sizes together and light them to create a warm and beautiful setting. Or store extra books or a large wicker basket with extra pillows here. Don’t let this extra space go to waste!
Pull the photo boxes out from under the bed.
Dust off those old photos and display them proudly. Hang them on your feature walls – in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Create a gallery in the galley or mudroom. Display them on bookshelves and book cases. Place them on desks, dressers, and tables. Photos are a great way to personalize your space.
Go to nature.
Bring the outdoors in with fresh cut flowers, branches, river rocks, pine cones and whatever natural, organic ingredients you can find. This is a great thing to get kids involved in. Place the flowers and branches in tall glass vases. Group your rocks, and pine cones on plates, trays, and large glass bowls. Place these organic items strategically in your home.
Go to the fruit drawer.
Fruit is a natural accessory. It adds such a visual and textural element to a space. For instant and natural color, keep a collection of citrus fruits in large glass jars, vases or bowls. Rotate the fruit and turn it periodically to remove any blemished bits. As the seasons change, swap lemons for apples, pumpkins, and gourds. With all the natural and existing resources in your home, you can easily turn your house into a home without spending a penny!
Close the memories
A sense of home is usually found in the people who live there – your family. So, it follows that bringing them to life indoors is a great way to make the home feel like your own.
Why not cover the walls of your home with pictures of your family and friends? Choosing and displaying your favorite photos of loved ones is a great way to introduce your individual style. And don’t just focus on recent photos – shots of grandparents and great-grandparents can inspire nostalgia and add a vintage touch to your display.
Personalize your shelf
It’s possible that most of your library now resides on your tablet or e-reader, but books are a great way to stamp your personality on a property. Fill a shelf near the reading nook with your favorite things from your childhood. You may not read each one regularly, but even a glance at the spine will fill you with fond memories and give guests a sense of who you are.
Not much of a reader? CDs or DVDs work the same way. What movie did you watch on the first date? What music do you play to help your baby sleep? Prominent mementos of things you’ve enjoyed at different points in your life can make you feel at home and instantly transport your mind to another time.
Tip: Keep dust and dirt off shelves, books, CDs and DVDs by running the Swiffer 360 Duster on a regular basis.
Venture out
Your home doesn’t stop at the walls! The front of your home is the last thing you see when you go out and the first thing you see when you get home. If the entryway looks welcoming, chances are it will feel the same. You don’t have to spend a fortune to repaint the entire house. Even just painting the front door your favorite color will add a personal touch.
If you’re an outdoorsman, you may feel more at home in your yard than inside. Adding comfortable, cozy patio furniture to sit and spend time is a must. Plant and grow flowers that you love or that have meaning: a special breed of rose, a happy bed of daffodils or a bunch of forget-me-nots that remind you of a wedding bouquet.
Get your decor right.
It goes without saying that renovating your home can make it feel like it’s yours, but if you don’t want to knock down walls or paint an entire room, there are still small things you can do to make your space. Can do to re-imagine. Throw pillows, rugs, and jewelry can help you customize. If your ancestry is Scottish, tartan accents can connect your decor to your heritage. If you grew up in the 1980s, an abstract neon rug can stamp your personality on the room. Small mementos from your hometown sports team — like a pennant flag — can be just the thing to bring back memories and make the place even more special.
Tip: Fill your home with your favorite scent, whether it’s lavender, mandarin orange or vanilla, by spritzing Febreze AIR in each room at least once a week.
Make it functional
If you like to cook, don’t put all your utensils and equipment away; Incorporate them into your home design. Fill large, colorful jars with the items you use most.
Add heat.
Sure, expensive furniture and a spotless house are attractive, but it won’t turn up the heat. Fill your most-used spaces with plush rugs, throw blankets and comfortable furniture that the whole family can use.
Prepare blank walls.
A collection of picture frames can make a room feel cluttered. Instead, display family photos, children’s artwork and memorabilia from your travels on blank walls.
Make guests feel welcome.
Nothing makes a house a home more than when your closest friends and family visit. Place comfortable outdoor furniture and lush plants on your porch to make guests feel welcome before they walk in the front door.
Create a lively look
If you don’t feel like you actually live in your home, you won’t want to spend time in it. You can keep things organized, but you don’t necessarily have to keep everything in storage. Instead of buying matching sets, showcase your hobbies, display fresh flowers and collect furniture over time.
Add personality to every room.
Unless your personal style is a cohesive, minimalist look, give each room personality with a different color palette. Add color by painting the walls or adding bold furnishings. The color palette of each room should reflect its functionality.
Light candles
Nothing will make your home feel as welcoming and cozy as the smell of freshly baked goods. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen baking – just light candles around your house that smell like your favorite dessert.
At Habitat for Humanity, we build. We build because we believe that everyone, everywhere, should have a healthy, affordable place to call home. Habitat empowers people to become homeowners. Through Shelter, we empower people to create a better future for themselves and their families.
Bring in Green.
Green is the most vibrant color you can find. It represents freshness and nature. Bringing this particular color into your home can bring life to your home. You can plant flowers in unused jars and place them on windowsills, have a florist arrange weekly flowers as centerpieces in your living room or dining room, or add a fresh air to your home. Bring some lush plants indoors. Green is also a color that is timeless.
Picture perfect
Your photos aren’t stuck under your bed, on your computer hard drive or in your iCloud. They are in the open. They belong in a place where everyone can see them and relive the great memories associated with everyone.
Pictures of you, your friends and your family are one of the things that make your house a home. You can arrange your photos artistically by hanging them from wires, making homemade frames, or anything else you like. You can even opt for a picture wall where you paint one side of your wall a bold color and hang pictures on it to express your individual artistic style.
Add some color Add some color
Maybe you enjoy a beautiful, crisp white palette or a soft touch of pastel colors. Or maybe you like to unleash your artistic side and choose unconventional colors or wild patterns that complement your style. Whichever direction you choose, you should always make sure you balance your colors and patterns to personalize your space and make it your home. You can choose neutral walls and spice it up with some brightly colored cushions or funky rugs, add charm to your home with a soft contemporary look, or animal prints or dark, sultry colors. Can increase intensity.
Add your corner.
The house you’re living in won’t be your house until you add your corner. A place that’s just for you to keep all the little things you hold dear: your favorite books, your journal, your most comfortable chair, or any moment of the day or night. Reading light to enjoy the space. It will be your place to escape to after a long day of work.
Personalize your home with art
Your home needs art to be complete, and your walls are craving it. Dust off your old paintings and find them a new home in your custom house. Familiar paintings on the walls will make you relive the memories associated with them, and the memories associated with them are crucial to making your new home feel like home.
Set up a comfortable reading space.
Any fixed readings? No problem. If you don’t have any spare real estate in your home to turn into a reading nook, design your formal room to do double duty as a cozy lounge area. Here, Heidi Caillier strategically selects furniture with fabrics and shapes that are both sophisticated and homey, perfect for entertaining alone or unwinding.
Don’t be afraid of black paint
The soft black paint color in this bedroom gives it a special and intimate feel in a way you’ll never get with a lighter color (that particular shade is furrow and ball railing). Eclectic furniture also lends itself well to darkness, and adds a more lived-in and homely atmosphere.
Style an empty fireplace.
Rethink how you style an empty fireplace. In this textured environment, interior designer Leanne Ford transformed an empty fireplace into a small gallery to display pottery and artwork.
Treat your windows.
Adding the right window treatment can make all the difference. We’re especially into roman shades with a fun pattern. “It’s against decorating 101, but using small patterns together can be easy on the eyes,” says interior decorator Kristen Panich, who designed this dreamy pink cloud of a bedroom.
Restyle the bookshelf.
From the inky stained wood to the modern side chair and neat staircase, this home library designed by Fiona Lynch is a beautiful contemporary take on traditional design. You can fill it with books—or you can add decorative accents and accessories like vases and sculptures to break up the monotony of a wall of books. Or, color coordinate your books. Not only will it feel more cohesive, but if you have a lot of bright colors in your collection, they’ll stand out even more.
Arrange a breakfast tip.
Breakfast with a view? We are in. It’s country chic and just a touch rustic but still polished. It also proves that you don’t need to have an actual built-in nook to get the right vibe.
Speed up your entrance.
If you don’t have a grand foyer—or you do but it needs some love—introduce a small console table. For a formal yet modern aesthetic, choose a traditional table and then hang modern abstract art above it. Then lean some portraits against the wall to take them comfortably on the gallery wall.
Just add sheepskin.
If any area of your home is feeling tight, a sheepskin throw is the easiest solution. They bring warmth, texture, and comfort while being very affordable and easy to move around your space as your needs and moods change.
Replace your throw pillow.
One of the easiest ways to freshen up a bedroom or living room is with throw pillows. Introducing a new color, print or shape with throw pillows can make an entire space feel new again.
Bring stools to the bathroom.
Slide the stool along the bathtub. Not only will the extra surface space help with organization, but it’s also a great way to make the entire space feel more luxurious.
Show your powder room some love.
It’s easy to overlook when the room is too small, especially because there isn’t enough usable space for decor. But it’s definitely possible — and worth it — to show those corners some love. Take this powder room for example. With a light reddish pink wall color and a gallery of eclectic artworks around, the small room is filled with lots of work.
Put up an umbrella.
If you want to turn your bedroom into a palace fit for royalty, add a canopy. This white gauze fabric hangs beautifully and brings an unusual look to a minimalist bedroom.
Change tone seasonally.
Plaid? For winter? Not even close to groundbreaking, but we’re still here for it. Changing the tone seasonally will also get you excited for what’s to come.
Be inspired by nature.
This space is rich in texture, creating warmth and dimension. There’s also a lot of character though it sticks to a strict color palette. For a similarly inviting and earthy atmosphere, take inspiration from nature. Think sea grass, rattan, jute, wood, brushed concrete and marble.
Reupholster your furniture.
Rearranging your furniture will automatically refresh the entire space. And if you love eclectic decor, take note from this immaculate living room. All the juxtapositions work so well in this room—the angular mirror, vivid orange art, marble fireplace, rustic stools, and geometric pottery are all unexpectedly complemented by the softness of the blush pink chairs.
Just clean
Shelf, clothes hanger, furniture, room, shelving, table, interior
It’s probably not what you want to hear because we don’t think of cleaning as fun, but adding a few pieces that make organization easier can make a huge difference. Consider adding coat hooks or a stylish coat rack by the front door. Then place a small folding chair under it to sit on while taking off your shoes. This will prevent those dreaded (and previously inevitable) piles of clothes.
Color block your wall.
For a graphic statement, color block your wall. Paint half of it in a bold color or choose two neutral tones. Here, the black goes up about a quarter of the way while the rest is a nice shade of steel gray, creating an understated yet unique statement.
Touch the walls.
Freshen up the bathroom by giving the walls a fresh coat of white paint. If that seems like too much of a commitment, use a magic eraser to touch up the spots. It’s the perfect backdrop for a bright, fresh, and fun gallery, as seen in this bathroom designed by Alexander M. Reed.
Install accent wallpaper.
You don’t have to wallpaper your entire room – just pick one wall and make an accent with it. It’s quick, easy, and makes a big difference.
Layer rugs and patterns
Designed by Sean Shearer, this eclectic home is a treasure trove of antiques, whimsical fabrics and fearless decor. It’s also a master class in layering. Why use just one rug when you can have three? Layer rugs in different colors, prints and textures to add visual interest to your floor.
3 Colors You Hate the Most + The Right Way to Wear Them
Some colors can be difficult to get right. A designer weighs in on the most hated colors and how to use them.
We have three backup plans for every great idea in case it falls flat. Overall, my job is to ensure that the content keeps the viewer/reader/audience informed and engaged. Presenting at an event at Epcot in Orlando, Florida, I turned to the crowd thinking to myself, “I wonder if I can ask them about their likes and dislikes about design and decorating.” I wonder if they will really tell me.” And did they ever?
While a half-dozen topics sparked a surprising, albeit fun and light, discussion, color was the one I found most fascinating. Here’s a rundown of the colors that people seem to dislike the most, along with my attempt to show that when done right, these colors can be breathtaking.
First of all? orange.
Above all other colors, orange wins the medal for the most hated color. What hurts the most about this, for me in particular, is that about 30% of my portfolio sports this gorgeous vitamin C complexion. In an attempt to win them over, I mentioned how all shades of orange used to be on my blacklist until I started using it as a mere accent. As these three photos above by House Beautiful designers Jeffrey Bilhuber, Leslie Klotz, and Chad Eisner show, orange is a gender-neutral color that instantly adds energy to any room, even if it’s just a throw. Why not with a blanket? Well, I totally get that a room painted a high-gloss tangerine can be hard to take. However, small amounts of orange can work wonders in an otherwise quiet room.
Coming in a close second was Brown. And just to fill you in on my feelings, brown is the color I will be using when decorating. I get the impression that most naysayers think of it as dark, masculine and often associated with mud. Well, um, just don’t use a dark, muddy shade of brown. Instead, shoot for elegant, neutral and classic.
In the upstairs dining room by Jonathan Berger of House Beautiful, there’s no sign of the color fading. Instead, it acts as a mediator between femme pinks and boyish blues. Next, a living room by David de Mattel proves that the right brown, when paired with neutrals, can be classic and elegant without being hyper-masculine. Finally, I used brown in the master bedroom as a backdrop to layer grays and burnt oranges, resulting in an earth tone festival that was both sleepy and sexy.
In third place was lime green – which is a bit catchy because orange, brown and lime green is such a timeless color combo. Of the three colors, I understand why lime green makes the list; When done wrong, it can be totally romper room-ish. Like a wild tiger, lime green needs to be tamed if you want to live with it indoors.
The first image, a living room by designer Christina Murphy, shows how lime can be bold and dominant but toned down with tons of white. Next, a sunroom by designer Andrew Fleischer sports layered limes. Different tones juxtaposed make them less chalky and mossier. Finally, a kitchen by Jonathan Adler shows that a few small bursts of graphic lime green prints can instantly add pizzazz to a calm, white and silver color scheme.
It’s all in the details: 5 ways to bring coastal style into your home year-round
Coastal Home Style Design Styles
Marnie Oursler, host of Big Beach Builds, builds and decorates custom homes for clients along the Delaware coastline. Inspired by childhood summers at the beach, Marnie incorporates the same “relaxed” coastal style she favors into her clients’ properties.
Not looking to buy a beach house anytime soon? (Or can’t afford it? Same.) Below, Marnie offers tips on how to get that beachy feel in your home year-round.
Statement light fixture
“Lighting is the jewel of your home,” says Marnie. “There are definitely a lot of nautical fixtures [in there]. Onions are everywhere in Nantucket, then you see the giant lanterns. I make them big – I use more than five in all the custom homes we build. They make a statement. “
Sea accents
“I’ll be at the beach and I’ll see a log and think, ‘Oh, we could drill a hole in that and make a centerpiece with candles!’ Things like this are easy and fun; it becomes natural art [at home].”
(But warning: watch out for barn wood.)
“If you have old barn wood and you just keep it in your house — pest control. So, it’s salvageable, but it’s not readily available. To kill anything that’s in it. It has to sit in the mill in the kiln. You can’t just pull it out of the barn and put it in your house.”
Shiplap: Not just for #FixerUpper fans
“I do a lot of interior framing, but I want to make sure what we’re doing is authentic to a classic beach cottage style,” says Marnie. “The shiplap we do is very reminiscent of old-style beach houses with no drywall or insulation. That’s why you can see exposed wood, because the houses were only used in the summer. Now, we Build houses. Year-round living with central heating, ventilation and insulation. So, we give it a modern-day look inside.”
Texture is key.
“[Coastal style] has a lot of detail and texture, so I’ll mix old wood, new wood and stone,” says Marni. “Then, when you do your decorations, using grass cloths and linens — lots of different textures. Textures add dimensions that people need, and I don’t think people think that [Beach style] combines all of those things.”
External touch
“On the outside, one thing you can do is add exterior railings and make sure they’re white, which really brightens up the house,” says Marni. “And I improve all the posts. My posts are always bigger than a standard post, and it has more of a New England look.”
“Another approach is landscaping, incorporating grasses and hydrangeas, things you’d find more in a beach environment,” says Marni. “But, of course, making sure [what you choose] is local to where you are. So, hydrangeas, roses and some bright colors help as you walk in.”
Transform your bedroom into a cozy sanctuary with our decorating tips and ideas.
The bedroom is for rest and relaxation, and clutter only leads to stress. So, with these seven principles in mind, organize first, and then decorate and decorate.
Easy ways to freshen up your bedroom
1. Don’t overcrowd the room.
Start with the essentials: a bed, nightstand and dresser. If those three things fill the space, stop there. If the room still feels small, add a few functional accents, such as a full-length mirror, floor lamp or storage chest.
Furniture should also be the right size for the space – think a small headboard in a room with low ceilings.
2. Unplug.
Your bedroom should be a stress-free zone, and that means unplugging from your digital devices and removing items that don’t promote relaxation. Clear away laptops, televisions, exercise equipment and other distractions in this peaceful space.
3. Color matters
The bedroom is not usually a place for loud expressions. Instead, pull from a calm monochromatic palette of soft purples, blues or greens. If you prefer warm colors, choose soothing earth tones.
4. Less is more.
Too many accessories can make a room feel chaotic, so go for a minimalistic approach. For example, an oversized framed photo above the bed, a trio of bud vases on the nightstand or a small sculpture on the dresser.
5. Indulge all your senses.
Don’t just feast your eyes. Indulge the other senses with luxuriously soft bedding, pillows and rugs. a portable speaker for playing soft music; And sleep-inducing scents and fragrances. Try adding a Febreze PLUG in Mediterranean Lavender to fill the room with a calming scent that also eliminates odors.
6. Let it shine
Layer different types of lighting in the room: ambient lighting to illuminate the entire area, task lighting to read and see what’s inside the drawers, and accent lighting to set the mood.
7. Look up
Add visual interest to the ceiling with a chandelier or mobile. Even painting the ceiling, a lighter shade of your wall color can open up the space and enhance the view as you lie in bed.
In the end, you are what makes your house a home. what do you like What makes you feel at home and at peace? Whether it’s your family, your pets, your hometown or something else, find these things and build connections with them.
