How do you make it feel homely?

[House2home]

We bought our house a couple of years ago, got halfway through decorating it and then something came up and we ran out of money and inspiration. I think we've just got used to how it is now and can't see outside of it. However coming home from holiday I walked in and it felt so bare and empty, it didn't feel like coming home.

I don't have a big budget. Have about £200 I could spare this month. If I added some photos would anyone be willing to help with ideas on making it more homely?

This is the living area.

I'm no expert (to say the least!) but I'd put a nice substantial throw/blanket in a warm colour on the sofa, something nice on the walls, a nice big floor lamp and perhaps a rug and/or an additional chair?

This is dining/play area. There is an archway between living area and this room, no door.

Your living looks cozy and warm. Love the walls & floorings. I, like pp said would put a huge fluffly rug, a lovely gold lamp but I probably wouldn't put anything on the walls. Also some scented candles on a lovely tray would be nice

Kitchen feels very empty but can't afford a new one for a long time

Yes. A big rug, pictures, shelves with a mixture of books and nice things on and cushions. Try to have a bit of a colour / theme scheme or one colour thats in it all to tie everything together.
Do you like the rose cottage hunting look?

*Bunting

Rugs, lamps, pictures on the walls, books? Ours would look similar to yours if we didn't have these.

I think some matching, oversized cushions in warm colours on each sofa would help.

I think the 'hyge' feel has a lot to do with lighting so would look into some lamps.

If it were me, I would also get rid of the white ikea tables. They don't seem to be doing much and I think the white creates a bit of a waiting room feel.

Right, so a rug, lamps, throw &a cushions to start.

What sort of shelves? And what sort of colour should I stick to? I'm hopeless at this, really appreciate the ideas.

Tbh the bunting and tables were put in because it felt even more empty without them. Happy to get rid of them!

Rugs rugs and rugs
Cushions
Throws
A lamp
Pull the furniture away from the corners
And get rid of that blue thing (is it a bean bag?)

As above I just think it needs soft furnishings, a rug, throw and some cushions would help loads. You could maybe do a picture in the living room.

To be honest i prefer an empty looking kitchen. Fresh flowers can help it look more homely. Could you get a planter for the dining room? And maybe a lantern type think in the lounge

Rugs, cushions, throws, books, lamps and pictures in the living room would really make it cosier.
I would probably add a big rug and lamps in the dining room too.
The kitchen I'd possibly put your bunting from the living room around that window and add a few more cushions to the sitting area in that bay.
Is there wall room for a shelf for cookery books?
And do you have room to pop a drinks trolley in either the dining or kitchen area? I keep seeing it on Instagram and I love the look.

You're missing all the soft furnishings that make a house a home and is painted cream throughout.

I'd put a huge rug under the coffee table, a nice throw, some plants, some cheap paint from b&q and give it a lick of a soft warm colour. Some pics on walls.

Get thee to ikea.

I would turn your coffee table round 90 degrees too and more center to the room

Think about what you like in terms of: colour, era (Victorian? 50s? Modern? Country? Animal?) and comfort/practicality. Have you got young kids and pets?
What have you seen elsewhere that you've thought ooh I like that?

Agree with others, some kind of rug, pictures on the wall and a big lamp.

On another note, where's your table from? I'm looking for something just like it.

You need stuff. Lots of stuff with different textures. Rug on the floor, pictures on the walls, soft furnishings, table lamp. I would also paint the walls a bolder colour but that's me.

Your kitchen is fine. You don't want a cluttered kitchen. If you wanted to brighten it up you could paint the walls or put a bright rug on the floor? If you go for a rug choose an indoor/outdoor one. They are synthetic and flat weave so they clean more easily. They are currently on sale everywhere because they're sold for the garden. Remember to use rug grippers.

If you wanted to, you could run a length of LED lights under the edges of your units? They come in different colours other than white if you're feeling creative. Even Ikea do them now.

I would also rearrange your furniture. At the moment it looks like everything is squashed into the corners and then you have an expanse of floor. Are you able to do a rough floor plan? To start with I would move your table and chairs to run parallel to the patio doors. Do you just have the sofa in the living room to sit on?

Also what's your style? What sort of things do you like?

This sort of rug is the kind I was describing. I would go for a bolder print though because that's what I like :)

Style is where we got stuck. I like modern but dh likes cottage style. I don't think full on cottage style goes in a new build but I'm happy to hint at it.
We have 2 children, one is very destructive so that's also put us off getting anything new.

This is the floor plan. Do you think I could fit a bookcase in anywhere?
When you say move the furniture away from the walls what do you mean? Sorry if that's a daft question but I can't picture it.

I'm watching this thread with interest. Some people really have the knack of making a room look homely. I don't really. What colour walls would look good in this room.

Floor plan.

You're definitely missing soft furnishings to make it feel warm and cosy. All the things other posters have mentioned would make a big difference. It also doesn't look very personal to you at the moment. What looks do you like in other people's houses? Pinterest is good for getting ideas as well.

There's a lot of hard surfaces (wood. leather) so get some other texture (rugs, cushions, throws).
There's a lot of brown (wood. leather) so get some contrast colour (rustic green for a cosy effect?).
There's a lot of low furniture (sofa, tables) so get some height (lamps, plants, bookcase).
There's a lot of plain, get some pattern in there.