How to Make Your House a Home

Cozy, comfy and effortlessly you—here’s how to infuse a homey feeling into any space

We’ve never spent so much time at home, which makes this the perfect opportunity to give your space a little love. Maybe you’ve just moved into a new place, maybe there’s that just one room in your house that has never felt all that inviting, maybe you’re just ready for a change of scenery (aren’t we all?)—whatever your living situation, we can all benefit from bringing warmth and personality into our dwellings. It doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive process: small changes (lighting a candle you love) and personal touches (filling your hallway with family photos) can go a long way to turning a house into a home.

Here are seven of our top tips…

1. Invest in everyday indulgences

It’s funny how much happiness even little luxuries can bring. Splurge on a fancy soap or hand cream (the prettier the packaging, the better!) and don’t you dare save them for special occasions: they belong on the bathroom countertop for treat-yourself moments daily.

2. Get into greenery

Stock up on fresh flowers or greenery—options like snake plants and philodendrons are great for those of us without a green thumb—to bring a hit of nature indoors. Even fake plants can make your place feel inviting and interesting.

3. Frame photos that make you smile

A house with blank walls can feel clinical and cold; artwork and photos of loved ones and special moments instantly layer in personality. Forget about the old-school portrait studio: just grab the fam for an impromptu photo shoot wherever the lighting is good. Print your faves and put them somewhere high traffic—a nice frame and a photo mat makes even the most casual selfie look like a work of art.

4. Layer in tons of texture

Getting cozy means embracing texture… and lots of it. Cover the sofa with chic throw cushions and comfy blankets, lay down a plush rug underfoot, and make sure the bedroom is decked out with luxe linens that make you want to curl up and stay a while.

5. Set the mood with lighting

Houses are so often built with the simplest, most cost-effective lighting, but nothing throws off the vibe of a space like a flickering fluorescent or brash overhead bulbs. Try adding in soft lighting at a low height to create a feeling of coziness—and if that light is coming from a lamp that you love (like a beautiful sculptural pendant light from a local designer, or a family heirloom Tiffany lamp), all the better.

6. Light up a candle you love

Scent is a powerful tool for setting a mood in a space—aromas can trigger memories, stress and emotion. Simply lighting a candle can fill a room with, say, a cozy apple-pie scent, instantly fuelling feelings of happiness and comfort.

7. Create joyful rituals

Dedicate some time to self-care rituals in specific spaces in your home, and you’ll infuse those spaces with meaning and calm. Settle in for a regular spa night in your master ensuite—apply a healing treatment mask, some leave-in conditioner and kick back—and you might just find it becomes your favourite room in the house.