A house alone does not make a home. People think that living in a new build you can’t add personality, but I say that these people have no creativity, if that’s the case! It’s great having a blank canvas to flex your creative muscles and design your home to express your personality.
That said, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. If you’ve just moved or you just want to give your home a little bit of TLC, then read on. I’ve put together my top tips for giving your house a cozy vibe, whatever your style or budget.
Print and hang your special photos
Whether you’ve bought your home or you’re renting it on a temporary basis, you want to make it your own. One of the best ways to do this is to print and display photos that remind you of fun and exciting times that you’ve spent with friends and family.
Photobox provides an easy and affordable printing service that allows you to upload images straight from your computer, tablet, or mobile. All that will be left to do is pick out some photo frames that match your décor — The Range has a wonderful collection — and choose where you’d like to put them. Displaying your photos on the shelves and walls of communal living spaces, like your lounge or dining room, will ensure you get to see them every day.
Display the things you love
One of the easiest ways to inject your own personality into a space is by displaying artwork, trinkets, books and anything else that you love. Windowsills, side tables, and shelving units like the popular Billy bookcases from IKEA are great for this.
Curate a small collection of things that scream ‘you’ and place them around your home where you think they’ll look nice. As time goes on, you can move, swap and remove pieces from your collection of make-shift ornaments until you’re completely happy with them.
Have cushions and blankets in easy reach
Your home is somewhere you should feel comfortable at all times, and having cushions and blankets in places besides your bedroom makes the world of difference. Drape a comfy throw, like one of these from Dunelm, over the back of your sofa. You can also place cushions that are both pretty and practical on any seats or sofas you have. This way, your home will become even more of a relaxing haven that you can return to every day.
Add plants and fresh flowers to your space
Having healthy plants and flower arrangements in your home is a great way to ensure it looks fresh. Of course, to keep them looking great, they must be tended to on a regular basis and this can take some commitment. However, you’ll soon realise that it’s worth the extra effort.
If you’re new to the flower and plant game, you should consider that they all have their own specific requirements. So, before you add any greenery to your home, it’s wise to do some research. Teleflora has a great run-down of how different fresh flower arrangements should be looked after and you can find a great guide to caring for houseplants at Planet Natural.
Use rugs to warm up your home
If your home has hardwood or tiled floors, it might seem colder than you’d like. In this case, a well-chosen rug is a great option. Rugs pull rooms together, bring a sense of warmth to a space and are also a relatively affordable way to update a space and give it some personality. Although, there are some things to consider before picking one out.
Firstly, where will it go? Certain types of rugs work best in certain rooms. For example, while a plush, shaggy rug might be great to step on when you get out of bed, a durable cotton one would work best on a spill-prone kitchen floor. If you’re not confident that you know which style would be best, check out this great rug buying guide from Land of Rugs, which will help with choosing the one that’s right for you.
Everyone deserves a happy home and the way yours looks can play a massive part in that. Taking any, or all, of these steps will make your home feel a lot warmer and more personal to you, so pick your favourite of our tips and get started now! Need more tips? Wayfair recently surveyed 400 people to find the true meaning of ‘Home’ and what you can do in your space to give it that personal touch.
