Essentials for a lovely home

[Dawsonforehead]

Hi everyone. We renovated our house 2 years ago in terms of re-witing, stripping awful wallpaper and getting rid of animal fur carpets! Baby was born at the time and I never got round to just finishing it off and making it look pretty.

What tips do you have? Which essentials, like cushions,rugs, pictures, mirrors and reed diffusers, do you all use to make your house feel lovely! Open to any ideas.

Its a cottage in the Cotswolds. We have decided not to have carpets anywhere and have slate tiles in the hall. For this reason I think it looks a bit raw! Happy with the feature walls we painted, I wanted a terracotta theme. Thanks!

Have you tried looking on pinterest for ideas? I found it really useful for putting a mood board together and decide on the small details.

Good idea, I'll use Pinterest as a starting point! Just fedup of this house looking so half finished! Thank you.

Pretty much all of the things you suggested! A big fluffy rug that your feet sink into, soft lighting (fairy lights or lamps with warm white bulbs), voile panels at the windows, reed diffuser in living room and bathroom, cushions and soooo many candles. A few pictures but not enough to clutter the surfaces.

Have a look at the Houzz app, it's like Pinterest for interior design. I found it really useful when renovating our first house.

It's really down to personal taste.

For example I would hate fairy lights, loads of cushions and candles. I prefer a more minimal look.

I also dislike not having carpets as it makes a house feel cold. A slate floor in the hall might work for now, but when your child is starting to walk it isn't so great.

I'm not a fan of candles either as they get dusty and grimy and are a pain to clean as it sticks to the wax. A house with books on display, a lovely blanket on the arm of the sofa and a woodburner is my idea of cosy and welcoming.

Don't use reed diffusers if you have pets! If they get knocked over, they can burn their skin. Probably wouldn't do ours much good either!

Feather cushions, and good quality artwork.

I love a bit of tartan, maybe in a heather tone?

Enjoy sounds fabulous

Ok so heather would look crap with a terracotta theme!

Terracotta tartan theme may work?

Wow thank you for these ideas.
Lonicera I did not agree to the slate floor as I knew it would not be nice for a toddler to walk on, but DH won and I make sure she wears slippers. Rugs definitely help.

Mattberryshair yes I love the idea of lots of books on display. If I could find some affordable wooden bookshelves it would really make the lounge look nicer. Any strong opinions on bookshelves in bedrooms?

jamesspader yes to the artwork! I have collected beautiful art and crafts over the years from other countries and it definitely adds character. I haven't given up on terracotta tartan!

And yes, we have a lack of soft lighting as well...I will peruse Houzz!

A cat. .
No home is complete without one. .

I have books in all rooms of the house, except teenage DSS's bedroom as he's not big into reading. The alcoves either side of the chimney breast in the living room have floor to ceiling shelves that exdh put up. I have a combination of books and ornaments on them with the odd framed photo.

Yy to a cat. Ours definitely adds to the snuggle factor.

I agree about the cat! And about the candles-nice scented ones or if not a fan of real candles for whatever reason, there are some great faux candles around (the battery operated ones with the flame which actually moves) I'm also a fan of throws or blankets plus rugs for any kind of bare floors

Inviting textures, soft rugs, squashy cushions, fluffy towels etc, plants, personal photos and knick knacks displayed and never too 'done' your home should maintain you not you it so avoid the showhome look at all costs. Yes to the cat.