Many customers ask me how to make their house home. Here are my five top tips for making your house home. These are from my personal and professional experiences. Read my related article.
1. Flowers
Cut flowers are magical. Invite nature inside. This is an easy thing that anyone should do routinely. They freshen up your home, add color and scent, and make you feel good. Moreover, they make the space feel welcoming. Do not feel bad if they die. They are meant to after doing their job.
2. New Bedding
There is something about fabric that does wonders. New bedding is an easy and cost effective measure that makes your bedroom cozy. You may have old bedding from your previous house and life. Your new bedding is a new welcoming change that can instantly warm up your space. Because you sleep in your bedroom everyday, you feel a good change. It is important that you change the entire bedding set to feel the effect. No half-hearted changes.
3. Storage
Personally, I learned a long time ago that when my stuff does not have place to live, my house does not feel like home to me. It is hard for me to get thinking about design or esthetics when my stuff is all over the place. Basic orderly storage for your stuff is necessary in your new home. Unpack all your boxes from moving, start organizing your kitchen pantry and closet. Throw away extra stuff. This simple first step helps you create spaces that feel like home physically and mentally.
4. Window Treatment
If there is no privacy in your home, it does not feel homey and this is a hard one. I usually pick window treatments last in my design process because they need to compliment the décor. You may need a professional to pick these.
5. Artwork
Artwork adds additional meaning to spaces, and is an element to your home that feels unique to you. People decorate their homes with all kinds of artwork that are meaningful and personal to them. They could be books, objects, painting, photographs, etc. that are personal and meaning to you. You can start small. Start with a simple personalized doormat to make your house homey.
*Featured image credit: Yoko Oda Interior Design, LLC.
Happy decorating!
