What makes your house feel like a home?

[Seline]

Haven't quite got there with ours yet. It's s very vague question but just after some ideas.

Bangles? Candles, ffs!

And books = clutter? In what world? I studied literature DH studied literature, DS has a ton of books - they aren't clutter! I cull every now and then, but they aren't clutter

Clutter to me are ornaments, vases, candles, wooden letters (HOME, BED, LOVE that sort of shit), little fabric hearts that hang off doorknobs. But to each their own

Warmth, food, lovely smells, soft lighting - lamps are essential.

In terms of items I think getting a homely feel is all about layering textures. Rugs, cushions, throws, curtains make a massive difference.

I often get compliments about how lovely and homely the house is. My house is quite large so getting a cosy feel can be difficult. It isn't anything to do with books in this house. We are all voracious readers but all books are kept upstairs with book cases in the bedrooms and also a large library wall in the games room. So we have many books but nobody sees them.

OP this could be a cheap and cheerful option
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oxford-2-3-4-5-Tier-Cube-Bookcase-Display-Shelving-Storage-Unit-Wood-Furniture-/222863549236

Lamps, plants, pictures on the wall.

Cushions and warm throws/blankets. Pictures on the wall kids detritus on every fucking surface

Pretty much what elQuinto said the little things that are personal to us, comfy sofas, nice cushions and throws, lots of books and definitely not grey, sparkly and lacking character or any sign of being lived in like the many displayed on Instagram.

Photographs, childrens' drawings and candles !

Lamps, candles, fairy lights, blankets, real fire/log burner, rugs.

We often get told that our house is very homely and comfortable. I think it might be due to the fact that we have things like open fires in 2 rooms down stairs and we light one every night and often both if we have friends over. Lots of lamps, no harsh overhead lights, candles both tealights (have often had 40 lighting at once!) and scented but not cheap harsh scented, we have 5 sofas in the house, 3 of them are velvet. Lots of cushions and throws, rugs on the floors, original artwork on the wall, matt paint throughout in muted heritage colours with the main colour coming from soft furnishing, mix of modern and antique furniture, LOADS of books in every room, dogs and a cat, dc

I love a good mug. Having my cup of tea in my favourite mug makes me feel all homely.

Fire, plants, pets and cooking smells. I disagree that clutter makes a house homely though. It just makes it a mess.

For us it's a feeling that nobody has to feel like they can't make themselves comfortable, we have tons of cushions to slump into, throws and blankets to wrap up in.

Not sure how books can be seen as clutter? We have a bookcase in the living room but the majority of our books are in each bedroom, so it might look like we don't have many but we do.

Fire, lamps, candles. Earthy decorations like wooden stars etc. Love them!

www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/storage-furniture/bookcases/gersby-bookcase-white-art-70261131/

The cat.
House plants.
Open fire.

That certain way each home smells differently. I walk through my door and instantly feel relaxed, combination of candles, cleaners and pets.

Cosy furniture, pillows and throws. Cats available for lap sitting. Big windows for viewing outdoors.

Starlight90 Me Too! I also love fairly lights strung in my big potted plants.