What makes a house feel like a home?

[georgarina]

In your opinion?

And the cats in it 🐱🐈

Colour because grey minimalist rooms look dull and unwelcoming.

Not having everything matching or coordinated. Things which are old and have a history.

Plants & flowers. Loads of books. Art which is relevant to the owner not just a print bought from IKEA or wherever.

A bit of untidiness or mess. Evidence that the occupants actually do interesting things rather than just sitting on a grey sofa looking at a huge TV.

A warm welcome. The immediate offer of a cuppa. A dog helps, but I will also accept a friendly cat.

The people in it. The pictures on the walls. The soft furnishings and fabrics. The lovely, warm lighting. The background noise.

I once rented a place in a different country that was decorated and furnished in a style that was not to my taste. Did not feel like home at all. Anyway we moved the following year to a place that was more of a blank canvas that we could make our own. So much better being able to choose our own furnishings.

Atmosphere.
If your home has a relaxed and warm atmosphere it makes you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in.

Family photos a nice lamp and the smell of candles burning! Although in my house I'm very minimal no photos up no lamps white walls ect it actually doesn't feel like home 😕

Cosy lights, warm decor, comfortable seating with cushions and throws, movement of fire or candles, and most of all the people who live in it.

Home is where the heart is.

I moved to temporary housing for a few months and came to my old house but it felt like a dead body - there was no life in the walls. It was the strangest thing. I moved back in and it quickly felt like home again.

I loved Victoria Wood, As Seen on TV, the Banbury house TV sketch. "We don't sell you a house, we sell you a home". Dusty underpants down the back of the radiator, drawers full of bags, used tissues under the pillow and medicine rings on the bedside table.
I really miss Victoria Wood.

Lots of things but of course things like pets and family.
I have bad experiences in air B&B if the sofas and beds aren't comfy - they just feel corporate and shite IMO

Having a lovely bed, that you smile when you get into.

Books!

God I was waiting for the books comment. I hope it was being said as a piss take. Otherwise the whole thread always gets derailed and turned into a raging debate about the snobbery of book displayers versus the modernity of kindle readers

Quilts, being used not merely ornamental.

My children being relaxed there.

Last house, the kids wouldn't even go downstairs without us. They did in this house on day 4. It suits them!

Lamps rather than the big light, cosy small rooms rather than open plan minimalism, big deep bed with thick clean bedding and pillows, rooms that show evidence of being lived in not a show house, good aroma of food cooking or coffee. I particularly love that moment when it’s raining and grey outside and you just step inside your front door to warmth, cosy lighting, and family busy and chatty in the kitchen. Love it!

A warm fire!
Actually I was pondering this recently. My house is colourful, with patterned rugs on wood floors, lots of paintings, plants, flowers in vases, some sculptures. The sofa is green velvet, the arm chair is a light mustard. But also it's got music or Radio 4 on, there are two dogs and two cats, the house looks lived in.
I have a friend who would always say that she couldn't believe how relaxed she was at my house. She'd come hang out for hours (she wasn't social at all). Her own house was pristine. She had a teen, a 22 year old and her partner living there but you'd think no one lived there. Nothing on the walls. Tasteful but dull furniture. No character. No books, no art, everything white or beige or brown. It was obviously her 'home' but it wasn't homely at all and even she could feel the difference. (By the way she wasn't dull - she was the school matron but on her off time was a Harley chick - tattoos and all)!

Books on the shelves. Pictures on the walls. Made up beds. Bit of mess. Piles of paper and clothes.

Home is a feeling rather than objects l think

Zoned lighting from lamps etc.

Books.
Photos.
A bit of low level mess and grubbiness - perfect and immaculately clean houses are so sterile and unwelcoming.

when the dirt and grime is your own 😂 only joking but you know what I mean

home for me is my children’s footballs in every corner

meaningful pieces in the home (posters and pottery & a clock a pupil bought me)

but I love a bright and decluttered home (just a few pieces of decoration) and lamps rather than the main light on, blanket and Candles and a clean home !

Dogs and lamps

Art, snuggly blankets on Sofas, smell of coffee or baking, lovely music, someone playing piano or guitar, photographs, low lights/ lamps, dining table with family bits on it, pretty mugs.

The bits and bobs of everyday lifelike keys and newspapers also pictures on the walls, lamps and unmatched cushions. I don't like show houses, i prefer cozy homes.