Making your house a home

When people are too busy, it can be hard to know what to do to help make the house more homely.  However, there are a few simple things that can be modified in each room to create the right atmosphere.  Rooms can be made warmer and more welcoming with just a few small changes.  With these adjustments, the home can instantly become an appealing place to rest and relax.

Sitting room

Getting the right furniture in place is essential.  Leather sofas are ideal for those who want to create a warm and comfortable home; they are also very practical and easy to clean.  Ensure that the décor in the room is not too overwhelming – warm earthy tones are a good idea.  Creating a feature wall with patterned wallpaper can help when deciding on a colour scheme for items such as curtains and cushions.  Large cushions with covers in warm colours are ideal.  If homeowners decide to use a cream sofa, then almost any colour cushion will go well with it.

Carpets can be a very warming feature in a room, but they are not always the most practical option.   If at all possible, wooden flooring should be considered.  Depending on the colour wood, this type of flooring can also add warmth to a room, with the benefit of also being very easy to clean.  Rugs can create a touch of warmth as well and are easy to replace if a change of colour scheme is required.

Kitchen

The kitchen is a very practical area of the house, but it can still be a great place in which to relax if it is decorated the right way.  If the kitchen cabinets are a pale colour, then warmth can be added through the flooring, curtains and even fresh flowers.  Keep the surfaces free from clutter as much as possible and ensure that daily tasks such as washing dishes are carried out, as seeing dirty plates piled around can put people off.

Think about features such as splashbacks and tiles.  These can be replaced to give the room a whole new look without spending a lot of money on a new kitchen.  The homeowner can also think about features such as a small breakfast area so that there is somewhere for the family to gather when having informal meals together.

Dining room

For a family that regularly entertains or likes to eat together, a well-planned dining room is a must.  A good quality table and chairs should be used.  For a welcoming atmosphere, dress the table carefully.  Candles, flower arrangements and good quality cutlery and crockery are essential.

Like the sitting room, décor here should not be overwhelming.  Keep the colour scheme simple, but add warming touches with the curtains or blinds and bring colour into the room with flooring or pictures on the walls.  As with the sitting room, avoid too much clutter.

Similar steps can be taken with other rooms of the house, such as bedrooms and bathrooms. Tackle one room at a time and carefully consider the changes to be made.  Overhauling rooms is often not necessary, so try a few small changes and gauge the effect first.