Have you ever had that friend or family member whose home you loved to visit? Maybe it was your best friend growing up, your grandma’s, an aunt or uncle or perhaps it’s your next door neighbor. What is it? What part about their homes do you love the most? It could be anything from bright, cheery colors to comfy furniture, but for the most part – it’s typically that feeling of simply being at home. You’re comfortable, cozy and happy and more than likely, thrilled to be spending time with the people who live there. When a home feels like a refuge, a place where you can just be yourself and let it all go, it quickly becomes the popular spot. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it definitely doesn’t have to be huge, it just simply has to feel like home. Want your house to be that spot? Here’s a look at how to turn your house into a place people will want to visit.
They say “home is where the heart is” so be sure to fill your home with love. Sometimes that means baking cookies with your children and for some it means filling your home with friends and family. Firing up the grill on a Friday night with the neighbors or just sitting down for a cup of coffee with your best friend will bring loads of love to your space.
Make your home your guest’s home. Giving your guests a space where they feel totally comfortable is part of having a home that people will love to visit. From a private and cozy room, to simply letting them know to help themselves to anything will make your guests want to stay forever.
Relax a little bit. Sure it’s fun to really get into your home design, but it’s easy to let your inner designer focus on the looks rather than comfort. Stop yourself and ask the question: “Am I designing this house for me or so that other people will like it?” Remember, your house will become a home the minute it becomes your place to let all the stresses of life go and you can totally relax. Don’t let design take over function, comfort and the things you love.
Be open and honest about when you need your own space. Having visitors when you aren’t feeling up to it is the easiest way to make someone feel totally uncomfortable. Knowing when and how to set boundaries is essential for setting aside much needed time for self-reflection, simple quiet or time to spend a day as a family.
Make your home a place of relaxation and refuge. If you can’t go home to let it all hang out, where can you go? Let yourself have the things that make you feel the most comfortable, despite what others might think. Would you love to turn a bedroom into a yoga studio or a place to work on crafts – if you have the space, then go for it! Make your home your haven and the stress will melt away.
Do you feel like your house is a home people love to spend time at? What do you do to make your guests want to stay forever?
