From House To Home: 14 Elements That Bring Coziness
So many times I stepped into luxuriously decorated apartments and houses, where at first glance you understand that professionals were working on its design: perfectly matched furniture, harmonious colour scheme, cautious choice of accessories… The only thing that was missing was the elusive sense of hearth and home, soulfulness, which is so hard to define.  In fact, they looked more like hotels than homes of real people. Thus, I believe one of the main tasks of an interior designer is to reflect in the space the personality of people who live in it, bring cosiness and comfort, make it liveable and warm. In this post, I want to share 14 elements, which will make a house feel like a home.
1. PLANTS AND FLOWERS
Natural greenery always brings life and sense of freshness to space. Instinctively we are looking to be close to nature, and we feel it even stronger in big cities. Plants and flowers bring those positive emotions we usually have during nature walks in forests and meadows.
2. DECORATIVE PILLOWS
Decorative cushions are the easiest way to add colour and texture to a room. Plus, it is so easy to change them, whenever you want to add something new to your home decor.
3. THROWS ANDÂ FURS
On a rainy day it is so nice to cocoon in a warm plaid made of natural wool. Throw it occasionally on a chair or a sofa and you instantly create and atmosphere of comfort and coziness.
4. RUGS
Sometimes it is enough to put a colorful rug on the floor to drastically change the feeling of the space. Fluffy and soft they make it so comfortable to walk around barefoot. Natural fibre rugs, such as jute and sisal connect with nature and add to space warm tawny colours.
5. BOOKS
Nothing tells more about our personality than books: tell me what you read and I will tell you who you are. I often see how books are used in commercial spaces, bars and restaurants, for creating more inviting, homely atmosphere.
6. COLLECTIONS
Almost every person on a certain life stage (and some people always) has collected something. Whether it is vintage maps, or Russian dolls why not to share your hobby with your friends and guests? The most important thing is not to spread your collection all around the room, but on the contrary, concentrate it in one place. Similar items when put together enhance each other and increase the overall impact.
7. PHOTOGRAPHY
Beautifully displayed personal photos will create a family feeling, as well as can be a wonderful solution to decorate a blank wall. There are many ways on how you can hang photos in an attractive way. For example, you may create a sort of collage from different size photos and then visually unite them by using the similar frames.
8. ART
Without paintings on the walls, rooms always look empty and uninhabited. While choosing art for your home, be guided by emotions and feelings. If you decorate the house not for yourself, but for a client, always consult with him or her before buying even the most “neutral” painting. Art is a very personal thing and even unobtrusive and positive flower meadows are able to lift the mood or to drive crazy…
9. ACCENTÂ FURNITURE
Small coffee tables, pouffes, occasional chairs – sometimes these pieces of furniture seem unnecessary, however, for creating a relaxing and cosy ambience they are just indispensable.  While watching tv in an armchair it is so nice to stretch the legs on a pouffe or a bench, while empty coffee cup to put on a coffee table standing nearby…
10. ACCESSORIES
Decorative accessories, such as vases, bowls and vessels if matched with by colour are able to unite the decorative scheme and create the feeling of continuity and flow.
11. LUXURY BEDDING
Leave the plain white cotton bedsheets in the hotels and hospitals. At home, you can treat yourself to something more luxurious and special. How about flamboyant patterns or elegant beauty of natural linen?
12. HOUSEWARE
Looking at some contemporary kitchens, I often wonder why they often look so sterile and uninviting? And where do they keep all utensils and houseware? Do they cook there sometimes at all? In fact, the kitchen always looks more appealing and liveable when some items are left on display – whether it is a set of copper pots or pretty wooden cutting boards.
13. WICKER ACCESSORIES
Various baskets and wicker storage boxes are very popular today and there is a reason why: they are cute, natural and eco-friendly. For me, they are also associated with countryside and my grandmother’s home…
14. SCENTED CANDLES
The last but not least is to remember that we perceive the space using all our five senses and smell is not the least important. By filling the room with aromatic fragrances, you will create a very relaxing and casual setting. The main thing here – know when to stop.
Looking forward to hearing your comments – what would you add to this list?
Passionate about interior design? Check out my e-books:
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