How to Make a House Feel like a Home

When I decided to buy my first house a couple of years ago, it was a wonderful feeling. Also, it was more than just a little bit intimidating. Suddenly I had all this space that was mine to do as I pleased. How would I go about making it seem like it belonged to me, and how would I let others know? It's easy to fill a house with stuff. Making it personal takes a little more time. After two years of trial and error, I've compiled just a few things that can really help to make any regular house a cozy and inviting home.

1) Paint- As simple as that sounds, a fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest, easiest, and cheapest ways to customize anything. We all have our favorite colors, why not put them on exhibit? One of them most fun things to do in a room is to just experiment. Try painting each wall a different color. Or, if you're artistically inclined, paint a mural across one wall for a distinct focal point. The best thing in the world about painting is the fact that if it doesn't turn out well, you can buy a gallon of some plain, un- adventurous color and just paint over it. Then your canvas is fresh again!

2) Photographs - Again it does sound simple, and it is. What could possible be more personal than photos of yourself and loved ones? Instead of just having frames all over the place, try hanging all your pictures on one wall. It doesn't matter if the frames aren't of uniform size. Be creative with their placement, and the frames they are in. This makes for a great focal point in a main room, and usually sparks up a conversation or two. As a bonus, it opens up a lot of room on mantels, or tables where those pictures may have been previously. Your wall can be a work in progress, growing each time there is a special occasion, or addition to your home. You can never display too many photographs!

3) Art- Few things say as much about a person as their taste in art. Tell everyone who you are and frame some prints of artwork you admire. If you think Dali is a genius, put him on your wall. If Impressionism is your thing, find a good Monet. If you have a talented friend who you'd like to see go far, do a little promoting for them. The possibilities are endless. Many stores sell art prints that are a perfect size for framing and grouping together, and even if the artist is not familiar to you, a particular picture can always be admired. Don't be shy, if something interests you, use it.

4) Find pieces of furniture with "character"- It's pretty easy to go and buy a complete, matching living room set, but where's the story in that? Quite frankly it seems pretty boring to me. A house is much more inviting with eclectic pieces of furniture that are unique, and have a background. Garage sales, thrift stores, and antique stores are perfect places to find treasures for a home. Keep an eye out for certain styles or materials, and your house can look as if you bought the matching set, but with a much more interesting history. Take pleasure in telling the story of items in your home. This one has an added bonus as well- you'll probably spend a lot less money furnishing your house in this manner. Who doesn't like the sound of that?

Well, here are just a few ideas to help with the daunting task of making a house your home. Making any space your own is a project with endless possibilities. Good luck to everyone, and I hope these tips help out, whether you're in your first home or your fifth.