Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Making my house a comfortable welcoming home

13 replies

winterwalks · 26/10/2011 23:07

I have a lovely house but dont really have that knack of making it a comfortable welcoming home - you know right lighting, family photos displayed, plants. I dont seem to have an "eye" for it but am desperate to learn. I want it relaxed and easy for ds, dogs, cats visitors - nothing too fussy. Any ideas,books, mags would be gratefully received

OP posts:
ClaudiaSchiffer · 27/10/2011 05:36

Take a good look at interiors mags, see what you like, nosey round your friends places, what do you think looks good? Then put together an ideas book (if you can be arsed) and take it from their. Colour is v important to the feel of a house. Do you want warm calm interiors or something brighter?

Personally I'm a fan of good pics/artwork on the walls but be careful when hanging. Common mistakes are hanging pics too high and too spaced out. Imo pictures look better when grouped and hung at eye level. Get a professional in if necessary. Keep your house clean and tidyish (but not manically tidy) I think that's welcoming, too tidy and people tend to feel uncomfortable.

As you have pets I would be scrupulous in keeping the house free of pet smells. So regular washing of bedding etc. We have a dog who is lovely, but I cannot bear "doggy" houses. But some people (in-laws I'm looking at you) don't care or notice that their house reeks of mutt.

Also don't fall into the trap of house sprays - ugh ugh ugh - just open a window.

Also I am a fan of books on shelves, they look pretty.

How about doing an interiors course? Or talk to a friend whose taste you admire?

ClaudiaSchiffer · 27/10/2011 05:37

Your point about lighting is a good one.

Lamps and soft lighting is often more comfortable that one big fuck off light blazing away in the centre of the room.

FearfulYank · 27/10/2011 05:47

Yes yes to lamps and soft lighting. I love personal photos displayed, like candid ones, not all professional. And you can mix and match frames on a side table if you have the same mat or have them all black and white, etc. Candles are good, and I always like to see lots of books and things like throw blankets, quilts, and so on. I like houses that look like you could settle in with a cup of tea and a novel and just relax. :)

Watching with interest here, I would like more tips too! :)

ClaudiaSchiffer · 27/10/2011 06:21

TBH you have an enormous advantage already living in a lovely house. I'd love to come round and give you the benefit of my advice . I love a good nosey other peoples homes. And I believe I do have a good eye .

I would stress "character". What have you got that makes your place stand out from everyone elses? ie original artworks, interesting bits and bobs from holidays, inherited furniture? Anything there?

Tortoiseinadarkspell · 27/10/2011 06:28

Emphasise natural light, make the place feel airy. If you have access to them, a posy of fresh flowers in a vase on a table makes a world of difference - even a quick bunch of something simple, not fancy bouquets. Do you have a garden? I'd do things around the windows to draw the eye out to the garden, if so; nice curtains, or just a few ornaments, that 'frame' the window.

Absolutely soft indirect lighting rather than bright overheads.

If you have children, it's nicer to have a bit of their stuff on display than not. My DD's 'playroom' is just a bit of our open space living area (delineated with a rug), so always on display, but I think it looks more welcoming when it's tidy but there's something set out like nice coloured crayons and paper, then it used to when it was a blank space.

Original poster
winterwalks · 27/10/2011 18:24

Thank you everyone
Tortoise - the natural lighting is good but I dont draw the eye to the garden - either front or back so I will look at sorting that. On special occasions when I have flowers it does make a great difference so I will try and bring flowers and plants in
Fearful Yank - thats just the sort of home I want - not sure how to display photos so apart from a few on surfaces not really put any up
Claudia - no art work, bits from holiday or inherited furniture but the house has fireplaces and unusual shaped rooms. Where do you live Claudia?

OP posts:
GeorgeEliot · 27/10/2011 20:12

ClaudiaShiffer likes books on shelves because "they look pretty." Not for reading? You are living up to all my prejudices about supermodels ...

Civliz · 27/10/2011 20:50

A well laid out furniture so that all the seating faces into each other. I'm a fan of adding colour through objects - interesting nic nacs which are unique to you. Second hand/vintage/antique furniture that you love. Lighting is huegly important, worth spending time looking/money on a lamp you love. In a living room throws are great - practrically, I love to snuggle up and they add a bit of colour. Don't be too matchy with your cushions.

ClaudiaSchiffer · 27/10/2011 21:19

GeorgeEliot hahahahahaha, so true. Grin

But they doooo look pretty. And obv you can read them if nowt on the telly Wink

Winterwalks - sadly I am probably about 16,000Ks away from you if you're in the UK.

FearfulYank · 27/10/2011 22:24

Where are you Claudia ? Close to me?! :)

ClaudiaSchiffer · 28/10/2011 01:45

Nup, 'fraid not, I'm in glorious South Australia, land of bush fires, singlets and thongs.

kickassangel · 28/10/2011 03:23

I'm a big fan of having the walls, floor, & big furniture in neutrals, then adding color through soft furnishings. Think about texture as well.

Depending on budget you can add some color & texture with using the right kid of rug - even hang it on a wall if you want.

Start with thinking about what kind of 'feel' you want - is your house modern, old, 1930s? etc. Then try to find things that fit with that. It doesnt have to be genuine antiques - but things that are reminiscent of that feel.

You can sketch out a layout - first of all, fit in all the practical things that you have to work round, then think about furniture & how you'd place it. Then see if you're able to walk around easily, or have room for dc's to play etc. Then try moving the furniture there (or putting in cardboard boxes if you're planning to buy) & make sure you don't find an annoying corner to bump into every time you go past a coffee table etc.

Once you have the background color & layout, you can have fun - buying the bits you like to fit in with the overall look you want.

Also, don't try doing it all at once - it can look kind of artificial. Live with bits for a while, then add a few more bits, or move things between rooms.

Original poster
winterwalks · 28/10/2011 12:36

kick - realise now I have no overall planning - just keep adding bits I have - will try layout
Claudia - yes in the uk
George - sent 19bags of books to the charity shop in a massive decluttering session - may have over did it -
Civliz - need to look at lighting and will re arrange furniture
Domestic goddess I am not
Just bought some flowering plants from the front room which does perk it up

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page