What makes a house look good?

[linmanuel]

The other thread about what makes a house look dated?
How can you make your house look fresh and better?

Framed pictures.

I like nice paint in muted colours
Wood - usually paler types
Books
Good curtains and lighting

For me, it’s

A limited colour palate of three or four colours which look good together. I agree with choosing either warm shades or cool ones.

Lots of textures, including some natural ones such as wood, bamboo, cotton, clay or stone. I wouldn’t use fur or silk, though.

The occasional mirror to bounce light around the room.

@Fairislefandango - Ha ha - yes I get you need to be able to see - but during the evening / night - table lamps and low lighting to ( In my opinion - not saying I am right ) make the room feel cosier. - But then I am on one whose mother said 50 years ago - "can we not have the big light on " by which she meant the over head light. It is personal preference , but mine is little lamps are more cosy

@Mushrooms0up

Lack of clutter Artwork on the walls that’s properly framed and the right size for the space Plug sockets that aren’t white and plastic Nice clean skirting boards Freshly painted Some decorative accessories like plants, blankets, candles

And tasteful no tatt!

& one more point - I think it was Le Corbusier who said a house is a machine for living in - I hope I have got that right - so intrinsically whatever makes your house work for you and your family is Step 1. Then - you can do the pretty things which make it cosy and welcoming

For me it has to be that any renovations have been done properly. The amount of houses we would view that had been freshly painted but badly! Also good storage, clean and comfortable. I feel more relaxed in a home that is lived in rather than an immaculate show home. I agree about the oversized furniture. Our corner sofa is too big for our room but we are stuck with it for now.

Choose a shade of paint that works with the direction of the light. Layered lighting - A bit of warmth /life in the form of wood/plants/art/books add in some texture rugs and blankets depending on the room - and know when to stop, less is more - don't over do it.

Choose a shade of paint that works with the direction of the light.

That’s very true. I found some blue wallpaper I loved and had my heart set on it for my north-facing bedroom. Thank goodness I bought a sample and blue-tacked it to the wall because it didn’t work at all. It looked dull and made the room look dark.

Properly fitted curtains or blinds, clear kitchen worktops (aside from everyday appliances), plants, fresh flowers, clean skirting, non-coordinated sofas and arm chairs which compliment each other.

Light coloured decor and reduce clutter (including the amount of photo frames you have).

Natural light, wherever possible
Well planned soft toned lighting
Clean
Uncluttered
Comfortable looking - so, rugs and curtains, inviting looking sofas.
Not too much plastic/gadgetry/tech on show. Natural materials are always more appealing

Books
No clutter
Flowers
Bowls of fresh fruit
Comfy sofas etc
New paint on the walls
Old fashioned teacups

Quality of finish on everything. So, smooth well sanded paintwork, no lumps, bumps or runs. Well cut in where needed and you can tell when things like light switches have been loosened to paint behind rather than roughly around them. Attention to detail, in short.

Quality natural flooring - wood/tile/carpet
Good lighting scheme
Complementary paint colours if using multiple across the house
Clean
Airy/Fresh
Good sized windows that are wood or high quality UPVC/aluminium
Clean and well designed ironmongery

I don’t think there is one thing personally I think it’s having a total look that works. I’ve seen houses online and been to friends houses that have been completely different- from big white wide open modern spaces to tiny period properties full of pictures and ‘stuff’ and I’ve loved them all for different reasons. I see some peoples house and they look amazing (eg loads of colour and pattern) but it’s not what I’d go for myself. Our house isn’t perfectly painted it’s old and scuffed but it’s so well loved and full of memories and I adore it! Equally I sometimes disagree with the ‘keep everything bright and light’ my sister has a north facing dark sitting room- she’s painted it dark green, had gold and lots of lamps and it’s the most gorgeous snug. I think It’s embracing your space from a studio flat to a 10 bed house and making it reflect you!

Yayayaya20 agree with you. However, re the house viewimgs has it not occured to you that some folk cannot afford to have ' all done at once' and that they may not actually want an old carpet or whatever.. but that they cant afford to do otherwise.
I do hope that our visitors know that our old carpet is not to our taste and its simply that we cant afford a new one????

pictures on the walls
books on the shelves
a feeling that this house is lived in and loved rather than being a pristine show-home.
I agree lighting is v important. we have unusual uplighters which give a soft light, plus decorative lights. when I now visit other houses with halogen downlights all over the ceiling I find them harsh & horrible.

Yes. Just inviting nobody what your personal taste is. Loved and comfortable I guess 🙂

• no matter 😄