Revealed: How to Make a House a Home

Feeling at home is about emotional connection

When we asked homeowners what really made them feel at home, it was the little things that made the difference. Family photos, a bookshelf filled with books, having a ‘place’ on the sofa and being able to sleep in their own bed were all top reasons why a house felt like home.

Children’s paintings on the wall, shoes by the front door and fridge magnets are also some of the little things which complete a place.

The living room is voted the homeliest space in a house

In the ‘OnePoll’ survey, the living room was found to be the top space which homeowners wanted to make feel homely, followed by the bedroom and the kitchen. Decorating everything properly and getting new furniture were the two big factors in making a house more like a home.

Having a place on the sofa was one of the top three homely triggers, and we know how great it feels to have the right sofa for all the family. Making sure there’s space for everyone means corner sofas are always popular. Then you just need to agree who is sitting where, and your home will instantly feel more like your own!

To help you choose the best sofa, try our sofa buying guide and then use our sofa sizer tool to find the perfect fit for your home.

The bedroom is a popular space for homely touches like a bedside table containing everything you need, a wardrobe filled with clothes and a freshly made bed. Almost half of our respondents said they wanted to add cushions and pillows to the bed to make it feel more homely. A quarter of master bedrooms also feature a TV, and one in six have a bookshelf that reflects the owner’s interests and hobbies.

Over half of homeowners feel their home represents their personality

The study also revealed how much people want to make their homes represent them and their personalities. This was a key driver in helping a house feel like home. More than a third said they already had an idea of how to make their house feel like ‘theirs’ when they moved in.

And almost 60% of people said their home represents parts of their personality. For inspiration, many looked on social media for interiors and furniture photos, while a quarter browsed furniture stores to see what would suit them, and a fifth were influenced by looking around their friends’ houses.

Making your house feel like a home is about putting your own unique stamp on it, and surrounding yourself with what you’re comfortable with and what’s familiar to you – from those family photos to your favourite bedding.

Staying at home has never been more important. So snuggle down on your special space on the sofa and settle in knowing that you’re just where you belong. It may take a little while to get things exactly how you want them, but it’s well worth the effort. Because there’s no place like home, and we’re all #AtHomeTogether