Is your House a Home?

Ever wondered why certain places feel like home right away,but others may take months or even years before they feel like HOME? Is it the location, something about the home itself or something else? 

The personality of your home- Each home has its own personality, and how well that personality matches with your own can make a big difference in how you feel about your home. If you haven’t thought of your home as having a personality before, it might seem strange — but if you give it a try, you may be surprised at what you find. Is your home quirky, inviting, neat, or warm? 

A home in Lagos feels very different than one in Anambra state. Even if homes in different states are similar in style, the sense of a place seeps in. The history of a place, the specific neighborhood and how you feel about living there will affect how you feel about your home. If you are feeling disconnected from your home, consider taking time to explore your area and seek out good things and hidden treasures.

Settling in and personalizing my space- Moving furniture, trying different layouts and even swapping rooms can make an enormous difference in how you feel about a place. When I first moved into our home after I got married, my husband painted all the rooms and the sitting room WHITE. I realized I needed to do something fast.

Clearing the air-The five senses have a powerful effect on our emotions. When you move into a home, traces of the past owners remain — the smells of their cooking or spices in the cupboards; marks on floors and walls from their dogs, their kids or moving furniture; and their choices in paint color. Moving into a new home, especially one where the past owners lived for many years, can almost feel as if you are invading someone else’s personal space. 

If this is the case, do everything you can to put your own stamp on the home, using all of the senses. Paint the house, clean and scrub every inch of the walls and floors with a pleasant-smelling cleaning product, open the windows to let fresh air in, cook your favorite meal in the kitchen and decorate the way you like.

Putting things on the walls- It’s funny; people have all kinds of reasons for not putting things on the walls. I know someone ( WINK....) who waited over several years to hang anything on the walls because she just didn't like the idea.

Tenants may be reluctant to make holes in the walls, but small holes are easily patched and covered, so please don’t let that stop you. Putting your art, photos and objects on the walls is one of the quickest ways to make a house feel like a home. It’s a step that, while in reality is easily changed, feels quite permanent.

Your Family and Travel destinations- Sometimes it’s helpful to actually be able to see the faces of those you love on the walls, taped to the fridge or in your bedroom. Photos of places you've been, adventures you've been on, the things and experiences you love can have a positive effect too. Put them up where you can see them, because there is great comfort in our personal histories.

Priced Possessions-    the belongings you have owned for the longest time like the blanket your grandmother gave you or the little vase with a chip in it your friend made for you, can be added to your space.

Making new memories. If you really feel unsettled in your space, embrace the fact that it may just take more time. There is, however, a way to speed this process along: Use your home more. Invite friends over for dinner. Host your child’s birthday party at home instead of going out. Have the family over for a holiday celebration. As you create new memories in your home, it will become dear to you. It’s as simple as that.

 When did you first start feeling at home in your home? Have you ever lived somewhere that never really felt like home to you? Or have you lived somewhere that instantly felt like home?