Feeling like my home isn't warm, cosy, inviting etc

[samy23]

It just doesn't seem to be very cosy/warm/inviting for some reason. I have tried to make it seem that way, by using warm-ish colors of paint on the walls, and by having the furniture in what seems like a nice way to make the most of the room inside each room...but something isn't right.

I feel like revamping the whole place, new decor, new furniture arrangement...and maybe a few new items too? Where should I start?

Anyone else been there done that?

Maybe I should start by looking up Feng Shui? -Doesn't that tell you how best to position furniture and everything?

I need some help with this

[Delicateflower]

Try the apartment therapy book.

I have the same problem, my house is either sterile or messy. I think I need to have more bric a brac. Pictures on the walls does wonders for me, throw cushions and having a vase of flowers, too. I'm also working on arrangements of pretty things, but that's not going so well. In the kitchen I've started putting butter on a pretty dish and leaving it out, and having a nice looking fruit bowl. If you look in magazines, they have a lot of stuff in the pictures, and blog pictures always look cold by comparison.

[thtr4me]

I think it all starts with surrounding yourself with things you like, and colors you enjoy. Our house is all cool colors (greens and blues) because that is what I like, but it always feels cozy to me. I think my style is an arts and crafts (craftsman) style, mixed with a touch of art deco (there are touches of art deco in our new house that I really like). Add in a few pieces of plump and comfy traditional furniture, and lots of beachy, watery colors, and I am at home.

[North_Of_60]

Rugs and throws do it for me. Or anything textile. I couldn't believe the difference in our family room when we got some simple couch pillows. I also got new curtains to go up, even though we have blinds, but with the matching hardware (wrought iron look to match the hardware on our entertainment unit) it looks fantastic, and so cozy. And so cheap, too!

[mumkimum]

Some things we've done that I think make the place coziest - floor pillows, bigger artwork - big enough to be a focal point in the room, ditto on the rugs (even if you have carpeting), additional lamps.

Grab some decorating books or magazines to look through and figure out what you like best. I actually think the Real Simple decorating book might be a good start to think about making changes cause they are good about having lots of pictures - check it out at your library or browse at the bookstore for ideas (or just other decorating book/mag to get some new ideas you're excited about, then move some things around).

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by samy23

It just doesn't seem to be very cosy/warm/inviting for some reason. I have tried to make it seem that way, by using warm-ish colors of paint on the walls, and by having the furniture in what seems like a nice way to make the most of the room inside each room...but something isn't right.
<snipped>

Maybe I should start by looking up Feng Shui? -Doesn't that tell you how best to position furniture and everything?

I need some help with this

Do you have textile curtains or vertical blinds? If the latter, curtains REALLY helps with this...nothing says 'temporary' or 'sterile' quite like vertical blinds all by their lonesome to me!

Feng shui might not be a bad idea... it's all about arranging your home so that energy (chi) flows and creating a spaces that feels good to be in. Certainly can't *hurt* to hit the library & borrow a book on it

[RiverSky]

Of course, I'm now dying to see pictures.

I imagine that once you post them (wink!), you will find that many of us
do actually think your home is warm and cozy, and others will have fantastic suggestions for you.

[samy23]

Sorry I can't post pictures, but I can describe it a bit.

I have mostly bare walls, maybe 1 picture hanging in each room -would more pictures help?

The floors are either all one carpet, or hard wood which also seems bare -you think I should get a rug?

The walls also are all one painted color, although most of them are warm colors, maybe it needs to be broken up somehow, like with half the wall one color and the other half another color? Or 2 walls one color, and the other 2 walls of the room another color?

I have all curtains, no blinds, but the curtains are all one color, maybe I need some with different color patterns on them?

The bathroom and kitchen have plain white tiles on parts of the walls, which does feel cold and clinical, especially with matching white cupboards. What can you do to make a bathroom and kitchen seem more homely? I don't have a fruit bowl out since I keep fruit in the fridge but maybe it could help?

I'm also thinking of getting some fish, not just for this reason, we also like fish and had them before. But I think a fish tank will help in the living room, bring some color and difference to it?

I have pillows on the living room sofas but they are all the same color as the sofa so maybe they blend in too much meaning too bland?

Not sure about using throw overs on sofas because I use cotton sheets on them to protect from the dog. The sheets don't even look good though.

What else? any more thoughts? house plants? I have one in the kitchen in a corner.

[sunnysandiegan]

Checking out books from the library and browsing through them (or reading cover to cover even) might be a good idea, especially feng shui if that is already of interest to you. Also, flipping through some home decor magazines might help you define your own style (surfing those types of websites isn't quite the same, but won't hurt). Once you define your style for yourself, it becomes a LOT easier to create the type of home you are comfortable in. Really, this is about you and your comfort level in your own home, kwim?

[mumkimum]

Some ideas:

I have mostly bare walls, maybe 1 picture hanging in each room -would more pictures help?

I usually think yes. You could also consider getting some small ledge shelves (to put on either side of your current pictures, or simply elsewhere) and put up some small frames, maybe a small vase in a bright color or colored candles instead of additional pictures.

The floors are either all one carpet, or hard wood which also seems bare -you think I should get a rug?

maybe?

The walls also are all one painted color, although most of them are warm colors, maybe it needs to be broken up somehow, like with half the wall one color and the other half another color? Or 2 walls one color, and the other 2 walls of the room another color?
No, I don't think you need to do anything different like that. Consider repainting, sure if you like. But differing paint treatments I don't think would make a big difference.

I have all curtains, no blinds, but the curtains are all one color, maybe I need some with different color patterns on them?
Maybe some fancy tassels or tiebacks (unless they'd be too in your way) - you could even get colored scarves or ribbon to accent the curtains.

The bathroom and kitchen have plain white tiles on parts of the walls, which does feel cold and clinical, especially with matching white cupboards. What can you do to make a bathroom and kitchen seem more homely? I don't have a fruit bowl out since I keep fruit in the fridge but maybe it could help?

Do you have any brightly colored kitchen or bathroom stuff you can leave out? I personally like a tiny vase in the bathroom (even have a small fake flower arrangement for sometimes). A colored candle or colored soap/soap dish could work too. Kitchen-wise - a colored canister or patterned towels that can get left out, or colored kitchen gadgets that you use are all things you could try.

I'm also thinking of getting some fish, not just for this reason, we also like fish and had them before. But I think a fish tank will help in the living room, bring some color and difference to it?

I think it would do that, so yeah to fish.

I have pillows on the living room sofas but they are all the same color as the sofa so maybe they blend in too much meaning too bland?

Get another pair or single other pillow, or a colored/patterned throw

Not sure about using throw overs on sofas because I use cotton sheets on them to protect from the dog. The sheets don't even look good though.

Cotton bedspreads can be just as cheap, look a little nicer, and can be found in patterns or colors. Some large tablecloths might work too - maybe even an old thrifted bedspread or quilt.

What else? any more thoughts? house plants? I have one in the kitchen in a corner.

Yes to house plants. Maybe a prism for the window or suncatcher - open your windows more and let air in. Think about focal points for your rooms (large window, fireplace, dining table, etc) and add things to those first.

[Delicateflower]

Yes, definitely get some throw cushions in different textures/patterns, a rug for each room and some more pictures for the walls. Michaels has really cheap frames.

For the kitchen, do you have any really nice plates or bowls or vases? You could put a nice vase on the windowsill over the sink, or a bowl on the bench with bananas in it (since they can't go in the fridge). I just bought a couple of co-ordinating kitchen towels to hang on my stove handle.

[riaketty]

Just popping in to say that picture frames are expensive in the stores, but I've found a ton for extremely cheap at yard sales.

[jtbuko]

For the sterile kitchen... you could add kids' artwork to the cabinets. Easy to take off and change and really brightens mine up. Plus its free!

[Smokering]

Big thick colourful picture frames holding mirrors are neat, I think. Artwork without being artwork, as it were.

I have the same problem as you, incidentally. I don't think I have bad taste, I'm just not very good at adding flair and invitingness to a room. Our house never feels particularly welcoming to me, even though I like many of the individual items in it (our sofa, our bed and so on). Partly I think it's our house, which is kinda ungraciously laid out - guests come in through the laundry! But we're renting and moving soon, so I don't worry about it too much.

I do find that smells help make a house inviting. Baking smells especially.

What about using a pink lightbulb, maybe in a lamp, to cast a warm glow over the room?

[SAHDS]

This thread was great a while back, may help you. I'd also check out Rate My Space on www.hgtv.com That way you can SEE everything and find out what feels good to you.

[Abarat]

What worked for me was something I've really grown to love....house plants!

I got them to bring some green into the house and to purify the air and it makes it seem to homey. I almost hate watering day because there's a short period where my plants are all on my kitchen counter and the rest of the house looks so empty and 'flat'.

I never thought I'd be a houseplant person, but I really enjoy what they bring into the house and the air is sooo fresh in here now!

There are several easy to find and cheap varieties that do well indoors, even with low light!

[sabrinat]

I think color, texture and greenery go a long way in that area. I have paint on my walls, pillows and floor coverings and plants all around. I think art adds a lot to personalize your space too. it doesn't have to be fancy. Get inexpensive frames from the thrift store or garage sales, use spray paint to unify them. You can frame tons of stuff, fabric, scrapbook paper or your child's art work. Some of my favorite pictures are things my kids have done.

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by samy23

Sorry I can't post pictures, but I can describe it a bit.

I have mostly bare walls, maybe 1 picture hanging in each room -would more pictures help? More, or larger, pictures/art will definitely help

The floors are either all one carpet, or hard wood which also seems bare -you think I should get a rug? Could help, although I adore the look & feel of hardwood

The walls also are all one painted color, although most of them are warm colors, maybe it needs to be broken up somehow, like with half the wall one color and the other half another color? Or 2 walls one color, and the other 2 walls of the room another color?If you like the colour, stick with it. THere are a lot of easier ways to cosy it up without going through all the work of painting.

I have all curtains, no blinds, but the curtains are all one color, maybe I need some with different color patterns on them?Someone else suggested tassels/tiebacks/scarves. I totally second the scarves, I once found some inexpensive square scarves I liked, folded them into triangles and discreetly safety pinned them across the top of the boring beige drapes I had. It looked fantastic.

The bathroom and kitchen have plain white tiles on parts of the walls, which does feel cold and clinical, especially with matching white cupboards. What can you do to make a bathroom and kitchen seem more homely? I don't have a fruit bowl out since I keep fruit in the fridge but maybe it could help? Oh the joys of the modern 'all white' decorating schemes eh? Our kitchen is the same, except it has one vertical strip of blue/silver accent tile over the stove. I use funky ceramic ware to brighten it up (I have a particularly rowdy orange & turquoise fat cat cookie jar that I love I have also picked up potholders from Ikea (bright stripey with the same turquoise) and tea towels to coordinate. Some colourful canisters would do a lot too. I have a wooden cutting board that lives on our counter for the VERy frequent cutting of fruit I find that breaks up the 'coldness' of the pale kitchen counter.

I'm also thinking of getting some fish, not just for this reason, we also like fish and had them before. But I think a fish tank will help in the living room, bring some color and difference to it?Fish rock, anything living does a world of good for a room! Another poster said house plants, those are great too. I just did some rearranging last night actually, and picked out two spots that just NEED a plant

I have pillows on the living room sofas but they are all the same color as the sofa so maybe they blend in too much meaning too bland?Definitely a possibility. If they are very textured that might be 'different enough', but I'd personally pick up an accent colour/print there!

Not sure about using throw overs on sofas because I use cotton sheets on them to protect from the dog. The sheets don't even look good though. Throws might do the job better actually, since they're thicker they'd probably look more intentional rather than functional as well

What else? any more thoughts? house plants? I have one in the kitchen in a corner.

Your thread has really inspired me to cosy up my own lounge room It isn't somewhere dh & I usually spend a lot of time because .. well.. it just sucked lol. Some rearranging, new sofa set (on the cheap, thanks ebay!) and stealing a few items from elsewhere in the house is doing wonders

[Delicateflower]

Originally Posted by CariOfOz

Your thread has really inspired me to cosy up my own lounge room It isn't somewhere dh & I usually spend a lot of time because .. well.. it just sucked lol. Some rearranging, new sofa set (on the cheap, thanks ebay!) and stealing a few items from elsewhere in the house is doing wonders

I know, I went and put a plant and a rug in out bathroom and it's worked wonders! Thanks OP!

[joyluc]

I think about making a home cozy as something that happens in layers. We started with the basic pieces - sofa, chair, table, lamp - all boring pieces actually. But we have bought art and pillows and new lamps (DS broke the old lamp so that hurrried that along) and now our home is more ours and more inviting. DH and I have gone through a long, sometimes tense process, to find a style that is ours but it is worth it because we are starting to build the pieces we will have for the rest of our marriage