Source: Unsplash | Brina Blum
According to a 2018 study by IKEA, more than 35 percent of homeowners do not really feel at home at their own place of residence. Instead, people often go somewhere else to get the sense of belonging that homes provide, like their workplace or a favorite cafe. But homes should be more than the building you sleep in — they should be a place of warmth, comfort, and rejuvenation.
Thankfully, you wouldn’t need to invest in a pricey renovation to turn your house into a home. It’s entirely possible to achieve the ideal feelings of warmth and comfort with a dash of color here and a touch of softness there. In fact, paying attention to the finer details will make your place feel like home the most.
Pretty It Up
Everyone wants to be in a place that’s adorned with attractive aesthetics. A study by the University of South Carolina concluded that people are happiest when they live in a place that they perceive as aesthetically beautiful. Hence, one of the best ways to turn your house into a home is to make it pretty with one piece of decor at a time.
A tried-and-true way to add beauty to an otherwise bland home is the addition of plants. The human brain has always been appreciative of greenery and flowers, as they’re some of the most ancient ways of adorning a space. Other ways of improving the look of a place is to display art, particularly pieces with personal significance, such as the artistic works of a loved one.
Foster a Comfortable Aroma
Have you ever moved into a new home and felt odd, but can’t put your finger on what’s causing that feeling? That’s likely because you’re not used to how the place smells. While people get used to any smell before long, it’s best to get familiar with a pleasant scent rather than otherwise. Aromas have long been known to be effective mood drivers, to the point that many businesses use it as a marketing tool. As such, one can say that the best way to create comfort in a home is to fill it with smells that invoke the same feelings.
Things like air fresheners, scented candles, and incense are all classic ways to impart a wonderful smell into your living spaces. There are even websites that sell custom-made scented candles and incense, where people can design their own fragrances or request for a candle to be made that bears a specific scent, such as a certain brand of chocolate or perfume. Another way to improve the smell of the air in your home is to change out furnace and vent filters regularly, and invest in aromatherapy diffusers if you have the disposable cash.
Add as Many Soft and Comfy-feeling Things
More than imparting warm and fuzzy feelings, pillows, plushes, and soft wool blankets are psychologically proven to help combat stress and even depression. Our mammalian brains are reminded of our mothers’ bodies being pressed against ours when we needed comfort as babies. As is often the case with nature, the feelings soft things inspire persist well into adulthood. So, surrounding yourself in softness is a surefire way to make a home instantly comfier and more inviting.
Even the most unimposing secondhand furniture, such as pre-loved couches and beds, can be turned into luxury accommodations with the right soft stuff. Putting enough soft throw blankets and pillows on an old couch or armchair can make it comfortable enough to nap in. In fact, you can never have too many pillows, blankets, and other soft stuff around the house. When building a home, comfort is a top priority, so you’ll do well not to skimp on the stuff that makes your skin tingle and sets your heart at ease.
The house is merely a roof over your head and four structural walls, but a home is everything inside of the house that you love and cherish. To truly build a home, you need to focus on the things that truly make you feel like you belong there, and do your best to try to fit them in every room.
