When you first move into a new place, it may not seem like home until you put your stamp on it. But after a while, even if you love your house and living in it, you may feel like it’s perhaps time to move on. However, you shouldn’t treat this as a dire emergency and rush to start packing and looking for a new home. There are plenty of things to do if your house doesn’t feel like home, and there are plenty of things to help you quickly make it feel like your haven again. The best part is that you don’t have to go through an extensive home renovation, but all it takes is a few tweaks, and your house will again start giving you the feeling of coziness, safety, and comfort.
If your house doesn’t feel like home, here are 6 things you can do
Reflecting on the emotional connections to your living space is the first step in achieving a sense of home. Home isn’t merely a physical location but a space brimming with memories, emotions, and personal history. It’s the place where you’ve shared unforgettable moments with family, celebrated successes, and sought comfort in tough times. When these positive associations fade, feeling disconnected or unsettled is natural. The most practical option may be to move, but would that solve the problem? Perhaps your new place doesn’t make you feel at ease, either.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand what about your home makes you feel like that in the first place. For instance, your home might be filled with bad memories because you’ve just split with your loved one. Perhaps you simply feel like something is missing or that you haven’t changed anything in forever.
So before you start planning your move and packing your belongings, why not give your house a chance to make you feel cozy and safe again? We’ve researched home decor tips from various interior design experts, and here are six things to do if your house doesn’t feel like home.
#1 Declutter
You can’t relax in a home that’s a mess and filled with clutter. Though some people enjoy a cluttered environment, something is wrong if your home fails to make you feel at ease. That’s why it’s imperative that you sort through your possessions, decide what to keep and discard, and then get to work. To avoid having things scattered throughout your house, you might consider putting some in storage.
Furthermore, you might want to consider inviting your family to join in the decluttering process. This can be a bonding experience and a chance for everyone to decide what is important to keep in the shared space. Each family member’s comfort is vital, and everyone should feel that their needs and preferences are taken into account.
Seeing as the minimalist aesthetic isn’t for everyone, we won’t recommend it. Even if your house is a little less cluttered than it is right now, you should be fine. However, knowing how clutter can make you feel, it’s more of a reason to try to keep your home clutter-free. Simple things like making your bed every day or ensuring your clothes are always out of the way can make a huge difference.
In contrast, decluttering doesn’t mean getting rid of everything. It’s about creating a living space free from items that no longer serve your comfort or happiness. Sometimes, even the smallest changes can give your home a fresh, new look and make it more welcoming and inviting.
#2 Replace negative memories with positive ones
One of the reasons your house doesn’t feel like home anymore could be some negative feelings attached to things you have lying around. If recalling a specific event or experience brings you more sorrow than pleasure, you should try to forget it. However, if you have reminders in plain sight, it can be pretty tricky.
Therefore, take a box and place all your bad memories into it. Anything that causes you distress should be removed to make space for all the things that associate you with positive events. Family photos, a prize you received, a copy of your favorite book, or a souvenir from a recent visit. Once you fill your space with positive energy, it will feel like home again.
#3 Give the walls a splash of new color
Sometimes, something as simple as painting the walls can make your house feel like home again. Choose any hue you like and use it to show off your unique style. You may go out and get decor items that are the same shade as the walls and then scatter them about the space. Use the color that best expresses your personality or the one you see when you think of your ideal house.
#4 Rearrange your furniture
Although this may seem insignificant, rearranging your furniture could have a significant effect. However, changes in the home’s aesthetic can be just what the doctor ordered when you’re feeling down. If you’re feeling skeptical, try to make a small alteration in one room first, and if you like it, move on to the next.
We suggest beginning with the rooms you spend the most time in, such as your bedroom or living room. If you’re starting with the bedroom, keep the bed in a position from before that makes it simple to go to sleep. For instance, avoid pointing it toward any source of illumination.
#5 Hang wall art
If the new color on your walls isn’t doing the trick, decorate them with artwork you enjoy. Choose things that are aesthetically pleasing to you or bring back pleasant memories. Create art that will always bring a smile to your face by immortalizing your best thoughts and sentiments. Using photographs is another option; if you go this route, make sure you have enough upbeat images to look at while relaxing on your sofa.
#6 Move away
There are times when no effort can restore the familiarity and comfort of one’s own home. If that’s the case with you, you should consider looking for a new home. Remember that moving can be quite stressful, so if you decide to make this change, you must be thorough and pay attention to details. Many things can go wrong when making a relocation plan, but you can avoid them simply by starting your moving preparations on time.
Don’t be afraid of making a fresh start. If you think you may find greater satisfaction elsewhere, go after it! Be sure that the house you settle into feels like home, and remember that you may have to work to achieve that feeling on your own.
Wrapping up
Sometimes, it’s not just about how the home feels but about needing a more manageable space. Now that you know what to do if your house doesn’t feel like home, you can create a plan and start working on those little projects that will make you fall in love with your house again. Trust us, moving anywhere won’t be the last thing on your mind after you’re done. And in case your house simply doesn’t feel like home even after all of your efforts, take it as a sign it’s time to move and create your dream home somewhere else.
In the end, the most important thing is that your home should give you a sense of happiness, comfort, and security. Whether it’s sprucing up your current home or moving to a new one, it should be a place that best suits your needs and brings you joy. Because ultimately, home is not just a place; it’s a feeling.