Do you feel like your home doesn’t feel as cozy and enjoyable as you’d like? If you wish you felt more at home in your actual house, or you’re just bored with your current living space and want to make it feel more lively and inviting, here’s what you can do.
Make your living space cozy
First and foremost, start by making your home feel cozy and warm. If you have a lot of open space that feels drafty in the winter or even in the summer, try bringing in elements that will warm it up a bit. For instance, an electric infrared space heater will warm up your bedroom or living area really well. Unlike convection heat, infrared heat will stick to your clothes and your bedding, which will keep you warmer.
Another thing you can do to increase the warmth in your living space is to add area rugs to hardwood floors. If that’s not an option, consider installing radiant heat flooring. It’s a decent expense, but heated floors will make a huge difference
Find a décor style that you absolutely love
If you decorated your home by purchasing furniture and wall art on a whim with no style strategy in mind, that might be the source of your discontent. While there’s nothing wrong with having an eclectic style, if it’s not working for you, it’s probably time to work with a well-defined style.
When it comes to home décor, there are a lot of popular styles to choose from, and there are about 30 officially recognized styles in the United States, including:
- Farmhouse
- Bohemian (boho)
- Boho farmhouse
- Shabby chic
- Scandinavian
- Traditional
- Coastal
- French country
- Mid-century modern
- Rustic
- Minimalist
- Contemporary
- Modern
- And so many more
All of these styles create a unique look and feel, and it’s worth checking them all out to see if you resonate with any of them. Some can be more expensive than others, but there are always ways to find cheaper décor second-hand. If you’re into a style like shabby chic, it’s not hard to make your own décor if you’re more on the creative side.
Invite your friends over
Whether you invite them over for tea, coffee, or a movie night, just having friends over periodically can make your home feel more enjoyable. When you have people over, you’ll be creating memories of good times, and those memories will be in the back of your mind even when you’re alone.
If you’re stuck for ideas on how to redecorate, your friends might get some good ideas just by spending time in your house.
Consult with a professional interior decorator
Interior decorators earn good money for a reason – they are masters of design. They know exactly what kind of colors and lighting will create the feeling you’re after. Whether it’s your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, or living room, a professional decorator will nail it for you.
Decorating your home isn’t just a matter of going out and finding items you like and then adding them to your living spaces. Just because two items are made in the same style, like farmhouse, doesn’t mean they’ll match. Professional decorators have an eye for finding items that will go together well, and they just know what won’t work.
Prioritize lighting
You also need to take lighting into account because poor lighting can make even the best styles look bad. Improper lighting can also make you tired, which could be contributing to your dissatisfaction.
If your living space is poorly lit, that might be the reason you don’t feel comfortable or cozy in your home. This is also where interior decorators shine. They will install the right type of lighting for each room, whether it’s simple floor lamps, overhead fixtures, or LED strip lights under your counters.
Get the furniture you really want
If your furniture is the source of your discomfort, don’t hesitate to get the items you really want. For example, if you currently have a couch with scratchy upholstery, but you prefer leather, go get a leather couch. You spend so much time in your home; it’s worth spending the extra money to get the furniture you’ll enjoy most.
Make the best of what you can afford
If you don’t have the budget to hire a professional interior designer or to buy expensive décor to redo your entire home, work out a budget and source your items from second-hand stores, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and similar sites. There’s always a way to make your home more comfortable, even on a budget.
