Once you move out of properties like uni accommodation, house shares or your parent’s house and into your own permanent home, it feels great being able to take pride in it. Whether it’s rented or mortgaged, it’s amazing when you finally have your own space to make your own. Somewhere you can furnish and decorate to look the way you want, and a place you can enjoy spending time in and inviting family and friends too. However, even if you’ve dreamed about having your own home for years (and have tirelessly scrolled Instagram home accounts and pinned ideas on Pinterest boards) you might find when you’re finally in your property that you struggle knowing how to make it look homely. There’s definitely an art to bringing rooms together and making them homely, cosy and cohesive- it can be even more challenging if you’re renting and are limited with the changes you can make. But it is possible and by following these tips, you can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your home. Read on to find out more!
Clean and decorate
First things first, giving each room a thorough clean will allow you to see what you’re working with. Don’t forget areas like skirting boards, light switches and ceiling light fixtures. If you’re cleaning kitchens, the tops and insides of cupboards are worth scrubbing out so you can start from fresh. If you’re able to redecorate (and the room needs it) a coat of paint on the walls and some bright white paint on areas like doors and ceilings will completely freshen everything up.
Consider the theme/ vibe
Before purchasing decorative items for your new home, consider what theme or ‘feeling’ you’re trying to create in each room. Do you want it minimal and modern? A quaint, country look? Maybe you love the look of retro decor with a modern twist? Whatever it is you like, have that in mind. As when you start purchasing decor, it’s much more likely to come together properly rather than simply grabbing things you like the look of in the shops. Bear in mind the styles, colour palette, materials and more when you purchase items so that they’ll all look cohesive when you style the room. One great tip when it comes to choosing decor is to go oversized. Large prints, lamps, vases and more all add drama and fill the space better than smaller items that can sometimes look lost or even a bit cheap.
Add plants
Plants work well in any home regardless of the decor. They add colour and texture to any room and have been shown to boost mood and productivity so are well worth incorporating! Real plants are best but if you know you’re not successful in keeping them alive you can get some fantastic faux versions these days. You could add a large potted plant to the corner of a room, some trailing ivy or hanging plants to shelves or in a hanging ceiling planter. You could add smaller varieties to dining and coffee tables. Choose a few that you like the look of and use them to finish your room decor, it’s an easy way to make any house look more homely.
Think about the lighting
This is something that many people overlook when they’re planning their home decor, but it’s so important. The right lighting will set the ambiance, it’s also a way for you to maximise the natural lighting that you get too. So as well as thinking about lamps and light fittings, you should also think about window treatments such as curtains and blinds. Choosing the right blinds is something to take seriously, the right ones will allow you to completely tailor the light in the room. Look at the pros and cons of different styles such as roller, roman and venetian blinds. Depending if you’re using curtains as well, you might decide for or against blackout blinds.
Add soft furnishings
Is your room lacking something but you can’t work out what? Perhaps it’s beautifully decorated with nice furniture but has a bit of a cold feel to it? Chances are you’re lacking in soft furnishings. Floor-length curtains give a sumptuous feel. Large rugs, cushions and throws are all worth incorporating into your design. They look and feel cosy and can give another dimension to your decor. They’re a chance to bring in colours and textures which is particularly useful if the rest of your room is quite neutral. Cushions and throws on materials like leather sofas can make them more comfortable as well, and perfect for snuggling up on especially during the colder months.
Make it personal
Finally, a house will look homely when you make it your own. Don’t become so invested in your inspiration pictures of perfectly curated rooms that you’re scared to add your own touches. Framed photos, travel souvenirs, quirky ornaments and shelves of your favourite books are all examples. Add candles, reed diffusers and other scents that you love or are nostalgic in some way to really create that sense of ‘home’. Your home is your personal space, it should be a collection of all of the things that you love. If you’re struggling deciding the theme or colours of a room, you could start by choosing one item you currently own and love and building it from there.
What have you done in your house to make it feel more homely? Have you ever struggled with making your property feel warm and homely?
