Making a house homely

[Bobloblaw]

We have lived in our bungalow for 6 years, it is our first home on our own and pretty much everything we had was very kindly given to us, so everything is mismatched.

I have sorted both dc bedroom and they are quite nice and cosy now and we have built an extension so the kitchen/diner is lovely. The rest of the house however is a different story, I am slowly sorting out storage and getting rid of clutter but I am always envious when I visit anyone who has a homely/cosy house. I can't afford to buy new furniture at the moment but could get some bits and pieces, I'm just not very good at picking things out.

I can relate to this, OP. We started out with oddments that had been given to us, which was great and very kind and all, but did make the house look jumbled. Most of our rooms are OK now, bar the bedrooms, but the DC are teenagers and don't seem to care too much, nor can anyone see the decor under all their stuff.

Anyway, I would suggest giving away any furniture/curtains/carpet that you actively dislike. You are allowed not to like something even though you were given it.

Also ask a friend whose taste you like to come and give you some frank advice.

Also consider buying furniture second hand - auctions, ebay, charity furniture shops, classified ads etc. Can be surprisingly cheap.

Also declutter madly.

Last thoughts - some people do have a knack (or is it just pots of money!) for this. Start thinking about what you really love. Is there a style, a colour, or a designer that stands out for you? Do you have one or two pieces of furniture that you really like? For me it was my bookcases, and everything in the sitting room had to fit with them. Then we bought a lovely sofa and the rest followed on.

Could you decorate the offending rooms very blandly then try out different looks with the relatively cheap addition of curtains and rugs (Ikea is good for this).

Start looking at apps like pintrest and houzz and get ideas.

Go on pinterest and start looking for inspiration. here

Then throw out a load of stuff, really declutter!

Then pick a plain neutral fresh colour and paint all downstairs that colour. I like lime wash, egg shell.

Decluttering helps massively. No matter how nice furniture is, a cluttered house never looks homely

Try introducing some pattern. It really makes a difference. I was lucky enough to be given some curtains over Christmas and its amazing the difference a bit of pattern has made to the living room. The room feels far more cosy and homely.

Also agree with Virgil.

Thank you, I have never looked at houzz I will look it up now, I love having a nose around peoples houses.

I think part of the problem is that everywhere looks bare now I've taken the decorations down. I was given some lovely patterned Christmas throws which made a difference in the lounge. Where is best to look at throws which aren't £££. We don't have an ikea near us.

Thank you, I am going to have a look around and see if I can move anything into or out of the lounge, our bedroom and the hall can wait.

Thanks.

I am a bit stuck looking for throws...any website suggestions would be appreciated

Try:
www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/home-furnishings/blankets-and-throws
Reasonable prices and 20% off some at the moment.
Can you sew? If so, you could always get a fairly plain cheapie one and buy some contrasting fabric in a suitable colour and edge and embelish it yourself.
I think this is such a gloomy time of year anyway. As you say, loss of the fairy lights etc do make homes seem even gloomier and gardens also look sad and bare.
Fresh flowers can brighten up a room. You needn't spend a fortune. Just a £1 bunch of carnations with some greenery from the garden or hedgerows, arranged in an old jam jar can cheer a room up.