Making the House More Homely

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It always takes a while for a new house to feel like a home.  Even when you have unpacked all your boxes, got your clothes in the wardrobes and filled the cupboards with food, there will still be a feeling of newness about the place when you are looking for a true sense of homeliness.

There is a big difference between living in a house and living in a home, and you need to stamp your personality on a place to make truly feel like yours.

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Hang Pictures And Photos

Research has shown that looking at art can help to reduce stress and lift your mood. Apart from making you feel happier, hanging art and photos can be the first step to stamping your authority on a new home. It instils your personality onto blank walls and it should be one of the first things you do.

If any of them have sentimental attachments, this can be even more effective. Just reminders that your partner bought you that one, or photos of the kids as babies, can all help to make your new house feel like home.

You could also get creative and make a piece yourself. You do not need to be a great artist to produce something abstract that matches the theme of the room you hang it in.  You could use paints or materials to put something together and be very proud of the finished product.

Keep It Clean From Day One

This will sound obvious to some homeowners, but there are others who will let the house get into a mess while they are decorating or sorting through boxes. A messy home can create anxiety and depression and keeping it clean and tidy from the day you move in will help to avoid that.

This is something that people who are first-time buyers and have perhaps used something like the Redrow Incentives to be able to afford their new home, might not be aware of. If you do not keep the house in order from the start, you will end up having more work to do than you bargained for.

This is a shame if you have just moved into a quality new house as it can tarnish the experience of being able to have purchased it.

Ensure you take care of any damages

Damages to the home are going to play a huge part in making your home look untidy or unkempt. Start off with a damp and timber survey to see if there are any issues that can be improved. Damp and mold can look really unsightly. The hygiene of our home is a fundamental pillar to feel comfortable and be able to live day to day without more worries than those we already bring from abroad. Sometimes, there are external circumstances that, without wanting or drinking it, face us with problems that are harmful to our health.

The appearance of mold in our home is very common and great due to circumstances that can be as normal as hanging wet clothes after washing or not ventilating rooms or bedrooms enough. This problem must be solved quickly and effectively so as not to lead to health damage. Especially if you have kids, it can cause issues with their breathing, or allergies and things that aren’t always very pleasant. 

You can use bleach to help but bleach does not penetrate porous materials and therefore wood or plaster will not be useful. It will only make them disappear on the surface but their roots will remain inside causing them to reappear. It’s always good to call in the professionals and see how they would tackle it. Don’t leave things in your hands. Also look out for any holes in door and window frames as they can let rain and wind inside, making the house cold and damp. It’s vital to do these regular checks. 

Add Some Light

A dark and dingy home is very uninviting. If there is insufficient light, or you have the constant buzzing of fluorescent tubes, change them all for LED bulbs. This will instantly reduce the cost of your lighting bills and will give you the flexibility to turn the lights up and down by remote control. You can even change the colour of them if the mood takes you.

The beauty of them is that you can have one brighter in one corner of the room if someone is sitting reading from a book, and lower in another part if someone is watching TV, for instance.

They are more environmentally friendly when the time comes to dispose of them, but that is not very often as most of them have a life span of at least 10 years.

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Introduce Some Nature Into Your Home

It is well known that plants and flowers can have a positive impact on our mental well being and that as they freshen the air they can also help us physically as well. There are plenty of houseplants that are simple to care for and that will last for years indoors. Choose hardy ones that will still survive even if you forget to water them for a while.

Treat yourself to some fresh flowers every week, and have them somewhere prominent for everyone to enjoy. Another possibility is to grow some herbs in pots along your kitchen windowsill. Apart from the advantages mentioned above, it will mean that you have then fresh to add to your cooking.

Have Reminders Of Your Childhood

For most people, childhood was a time of no responsibility and of being loved no matter how naughty you were. Houses have changed a great deal since you were a youngster and you would not want to replicate the home you were brought up in, but a few reminders are not a bad idea.

Simple things like a few board games from your childhood, an old jewellery box or maybe a photo of your grandparents that always hung on the wall. These little things can add to a feeling of security and serenity in your new home.

Adopt A Pet From A Shelter

Although this is not a suitable option for all families, for those that can adopt a dog or cat from a local shelter, they will be welcomed home with excitement each time they arrive back at the house.  Owning a pet is a big responsibility but they bring instant love and loyalty into whatever household they join.

Research has shown many times that stroking a cat or dog is good for blood pressure and reduces stress. Animals contribute a great deal to making us healthier and happier people.

If you have the time to take an animal for walks and to give them the care they need, visit your local shelter and there will be one that you fall in love with. There are so many pets without owners, that a shelter is the place to find one from if you are considering buying a pet. Most of them are very well cared for, but it is not the same as being part of a loving family.

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Turn Your New House Into A Home

A home should be more than somewhere to put your head down after a long day at work. It should be a place you feel comfortable in, somewhere that you can be totally yourself where you always feel snug and warm. It should be a good place to return to, whether that is from work or just a quick visit to the shops.

You should surround yourself with things that make you feel good and happy so that your new house becomes a welcoming home.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

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2 Comments

  1. April 15, 2019 / 9:11 am

    Nothing beats a house giving you the coziest vibe ever. That’s what I’m looking for in a house actually. Thank you for sharing this.

  2. December 18, 2019 / 8:22 am

    In my future house renovation, I want to follow these ideas from you. I used to have a cat as my home pet. Thank you so much for sharing these very helpful tips.

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