what makes a 'homely' feel to a house?

[bubblepop]

is there a difference between 'homely' and just a cluttered mess?

Yes but hard to define.
A house is homely when you sense the people who live in it are happy and love each other.

I think the state of the sofas can mean a lot. If they are comfy and maybe a bit bashed then you know you are welcome. I hate tyring to perch on the edge of a sofa woth pristeen cushions that are all exactly in their place and worying that I will disturb them

agree with moondog on definition though

My living room is homely and my dining room is a cluttered mess

Agree with Moondog, the first thing that popped into my head was LOVE.

My friends say my house is homely.
I think it is good friend speak for dusty and untidy.

Lots of books. That's the 'physical' thing that makes my home feel like home, iyswim.

loved and relaxed.

i think its when you can tell people live there and have fun there.

like having childrens paintiongs on the fridge, the odd stray cuddly dog on the sofa, the reading books on the table not piled neatly but just chucked there.