not sure where else to put this, does anyone have any tips for making a house homey??

[Dirtbagsmum]

I've lived in my flat for 18months and I just dont feel like its a home, please share your tips with me so i can make it all snuggly!!

Photos of family and friends .(assuming you like your family).

differing textures;
fluffy throw on the couch
colourful rug
patterned cushions
candles
flowers
books on the shelves
photos
vibrant print on wall
focal point of room either fireplace,coffee table ,tellly

ooo this is my thing

Yes to photos of family and friends, but also try things like framing postcards, or posters that you like. Cushions and throws can dramatically transform rented sofas - TK Maxx do great ones that are pretty cheap. Whimsy - things like candles, little trinketty items (ie, we have our initials in wooden printer blocks on the fireplace. Lamps create a lovely ambient light for the evenings to make it nice and snuggly. Pick a sort of 'theme' as well; mine is sort of country cottage meets brit pop so we have gold discs, union jacks mixed with spots and stripes and hearts. (I want to stress - not heavy on the union jack; subtle touches are key!)- I have things like hearts hanging from door handles which sounds cheesy but they look pretty. Oh! And fresh flowers, beautifully arranged. I guess you need to pick your own style first and then build a collection of 'stuff' in that style; try charity shops and markets for a 'not brand new' feel.

Home magazines are a great source to find your style and give you an eye of what to look out for in shops

Hope that helps!

Fresh flowers and plants, lamps in the evening (as oppose to bright lighting), candles are sooo cosy, a wind chime is a nice sound to hear in the back ground.
It sometimes takes a bit of time but then all of a sudden a new place feels like home.....once you've created some good memories there, so go and create some! Have firends and family and neighbours round x x x

lol @ assuming you like your family comment!!

Thank you all for the ideas, i have no idea on how to go about finding a style...whats the cheapest?!!

There's no price on style :)

You could spend a fortune and not get it right.

If you haven't got a definite syle in mind, flick through some home magazines and find a style that appeals and then emulate it??

lol, I like the look where nothing matches but it all goes, does that make sense? Tho i'm pretty sure if I attempted to do it, it would look vile, and everything wouldnt go and be all cringy...

ahhh

It all works together if it's within a main colour scheme. Start with the colours in a rug or curtains, pull out your favourites and make them accents around the room. Eg, curtains might have pink, turquoise and dark blue flowers on them with beige background and green stalks (or something mad like that) find greeny picture, turquoise cushion covers, pink throw. Does that make sense? Oh and it's best to keep to three or four colours (three main, one accent)

Dont have everything too matchy matchy or it look like a page from the Next Directory

Resist buying ornaments/accessories just for the sake of it, only buy what you love

I've recently picked up some good eclectic bits off ebay supercheap (I'm on a tight budget as lots of rooms to 'do). Have a scrat around ebay for "shabby" "signs" "heart" that sort of thing, or "east of india" or "gisela graham" and when you find a seller you like the stuff of, away you go. HTH.

Lighting. Have at least three lamps on in the evening (2 for bedroom). Our front room is bleak when it's not lit properly. I try to avoid enery saving bulbs because the light's a bit harsh.

Put a tablecloth on the table, add a vase of flowers/twigs. Fill the fruit bowl with unopened phone bills.

a wind chime is a nice sound to hear in the back ground

I beg to differ - your neighbours may want to kill you when its windy at night time and they can't sleep

No twigs (sorry), no wind chimes, and definitely none of those big letters that you stick on the wall or balance whimisically on door frames.

How old are you OP? I think it takes years to collect stuff that suits you through your life, and to stop striving for "style" and just gather things you like around you - that's real style.

And elderly client of mine, who had an amazing flat full of books, paintings, and bits and bobs she'd collected from around the world once said to me "nothing dresses a room like a bookshelf". Too right.

Pictures of course. Not necessarily photos though but why not if you like them.

I agree with no matchy mathchy but I like little eclectic displays. In my front room/lounge I have Whitefriars little vases on the mantlepiece, about 6 of them in a group. I'll put a collection of candles (yes I like them but throw them away when they start to look dodgy), I have a collection of large vases on the windowsill, I have lamps all over the place . What takes your fancy really, but as above, things you like.

A focal point is always good advice too and then go outwards, making little interesting corners etc.

I charity shop all the time.

Right, I've been out and i'm now officially skint!

My front room looks totally different and already feels so much more homey already! I took the photos thing on board..maybe need to take some down tho as it looks a little like a shrine to my ds!!

Also bought a throw over and turned my red sofa green!!!

Its great!!

Thank you all, still have a way to go tho, and will come running soon as i get stuck!!

Have some for your troubles!