Food & Drink Magazine

How to Turn a House Into a Home

By Marialiberati

Anyone can live in a house, but it takes a special knack to turn a house into a home. Some people have the skill naturally, while others have to work on it. If you fall into the last group, then follow these tips to create a home.

Selecting a Space

While it may seem obvious, the first thing that you need is a house that fits you and your family. It can be tricky to find a house that works well for what you need, so be sure to think about the pros and cons of building a home before you make your decision. Many people fall instantly in love with a house that is already on the market. For others, they want to design their own space to make sure that it is the right fit. Buying an existing home is usually faster and less stressful than having one built to meet your needs. On the other hand, you can design each space in your home to fit your lifestyle when you build a home. There is more room for price negotiations when you buy a home.

Creating Comfort

You need to think about building comfort features into every room of your house to make it a home. A great place to start, even on a budget, is by choosing the right lighting. Putting a statement piece that reflects your family's style near the ceiling instantly draws attention and lets people know who lives there. One of the best ways to add comfort to your home is to find a place for everything as clutter causes stress, and you will not feel comfortable. Often, that requires getting rid of things that you no longer want or need.

Arranging the Furniture

Think about where each member of your family is going to be most comfortable. Arrange furniture so that each person has their own space where they can go to unwind. Putting beds in cocoons makes you feel like you have a safe place to hide away from the world and get a good night's sleep, which can be an essential factor in keeping everyone content at home. When buying new furniture, choose those made from durable materials that are easy to clean so that people are not afraid to move in your home. Additionally, make sure to keep furniture proportionate to the scale of the room.

Personal Decor

You need to display your personal décor in your home proudly. That may be family photos or photos of a great vacation. Alternatively, it may be a piece of artwork that you adore. Adding ambient lighting to areas where you display these pieces help to draw the eye there, and you will love looking at it, even if you are a little down. Try incorporating some plants into your home as they will help clean the air.

Adding Scents

One of the secrets of transforming a house into a home is to add scents. You can accomplish this in many different ways. You may choose to add diffusers throughout your home that are filled with essential oils. On the other hand, you may want to display bowls of pretty potpourri. Putting an air freshener in the air vents of your home can help the scent spread throughout your home. You may want to make a room spray that contains your favorite fragrances.

Use Statement Pieces

Consider choosing one statement piece for each room. Then, pick out another décor that goes with that piece so that each room seems anchored. Start by designing one small area in your home. Then, wait for about a week and see how you feel about the space. Tackling one small area at a time is way less intimidating than trying to add your personal décor all over the house at the same time.

Pick the Right Colors

Using neutral colors gives your house a relaxed vibe, which can be an essential part of turning it into a home. Your wall color does not have to be boring, however, just because you chose a neutral color scheme. For example, you can use different neutral shades to create a vertically striped wall. Consider adding a pastel-colored ceiling to sneak color into a room without losing neutral's relaxed vibe. You can make your furniture stand out by installing a neutral-color rug that is just a shade deeper than your wall color. You can think of neutrals as being a blank canvas where you can add your own touches to break it up.

Consider Air Movement

It is hard to feel comfortable in a home if someone is always turning up or down the air conditioner or heater. Make sure that your vents are clean, and that no furniture is blocking them. Turn the fan on all the time to keep air moving always. Insulating the attic will improve the comfort level of your home. You should also take steps to maintain the relative humidity of your home around 60 percent. In some areas, that may require running a dehumidifier almost year-round. In other areas, you may need to add moisture to the air in your home.

Employ Technology

Once you find the perfect spot to relax, then it can be nearly impossible to find it again if you have to get up. Taking advantage of smart technology for your home means you have to get up far fewer times. You can get technology that will control your lighting, heating, air conditioning, and many other things. You can even use a robotic vacuum to keep the floors in your home clean. Automating as many items in your home as possible also means you have more time to do your favorite things at home.

When you turn your house into a home, then you and the rest of your family will feel more comfortable. You are likely to discover that arguments are fewer as people feel more peaceful. While it may be impossible to accomplish all at one time, choose a project and get started on it today. In increments, your house will become your comfortable home.

Moving into a new home with kids? Make sure to keep these things in mind!

And lastly..don't forget about the food! Nothing makes a house a home more than the food served there..for recipes for your home get the Gourmand World Award Winning book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays and Special Occasions: 2nd edition

Turn House Into Home
How to Turn a House Into a Home

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