How to make your house feel like a home

Refresh your kitchen with new kitchen cabinets from DIY Homefit

Autumn is approaching, and we begin to think of those dark and cosy evenings at home. And no matter where you live, how large or small it is, or what kind of state it’s in . . . . it’s still home. But does it really feel like it?

Did you know that there are things that you can do to make your house feel more like a home? In this article we take a look at some of the things that many people think make a house a home. 

Interestingly, many of these relate to the kitchen : the heart of the home. Hopefully some of them will inspire you to make small changes in your kitchen that can make it feel even more like home! We also cover the practical side of these things as well, to ensure that you will not be out of pocket by putting them into practice.

The smell of cooking

There’s nothing like the smell of cooking! Particular favourites seem to be a Sunday roast or morning bacon. And in these times when we’re all looking for ways to be economical with energy, it can make sense to batch cook so that the oven is used for making several meals all at the same time. 

This is where it really helps to have a well-designed kitchen – as in the image below – with plenty of workspace around the oven for food preparation and storage.

A well-stocked fridge

There’s something wonderful about opening the fridge and seeing it full of food. Which is another reason why batch cooking is such a good idea. The downside is that it can be wasteful to buy too much food that you cram into the fridge and forget about, so end up wasting. 

A larger fridge can help with this, as it enables you to see clearly what is in there and to use food efficiently. For example, you may want to consider going for a large American-style fridge and freezer, as pictured below. 

And if you have a large fridge or freezer did you know it’s more economical to fill it as this reduces the amount of cold air that escapes when you open the fridge or freezer door. The good news is that you can use bowls of water to do this if you don’t currently have enough supplies to fill the space.

Family photos and children’s artwork

There is much to be said for a minimalist kitchen, but you also want to make sure that it lets your personality shine and tells the story of your family. So it’s lovely to have either family photos or childrens artwork featured in your kitchen. It really helps to bring it to life.

Just remember to refresh your items from time to time, to reflect the appearance and artistic talents of your growing family 

The sound of a kettle boiling

There’s something so English about putting the kettle on! Whether you drink tea, coffee, or any other hot drink, it brings a sense of comfort and homeliness.

This is particularly evident if you have an open plan kitchen. You can make drinks for your family or guests whilst still chatting to them in the kitchen, rather than having them in a separate room. And they will enjoy hearing the sound of the kettle boiling, as well as the final result!

Having your own space to sit

One thing that really reinforces the sense of home is having your own space to sit. And this applies just as much to the kitchen as it does to the living room sofa. Many contemporary kitchens now have sofas or chairs, and it can be blissful to have a little corner that you consider your own. 

In years to come, hopefully you will have lots of memories of happy times in your kitchen, snuggled into your special place, surrounded by the family and friends you love.

A dining table

Whilst thinking about seating, many people think that a dining table really makes a house into a home. Whether this is in your kitchen, a living room, or a separate dining room, there is something special about sitting around a table to eat with others.

So if you don’t have a table, but have room for one somewhere in your home, this could be a really good investment for you and your family.

Fresh flowers and plants

There is a huge trend at the moment for bringing the outside in. And fresh flowers or plants in your kitchen can really bring it to life. As well as adding colour, having flowers and plants in your home can have a calming effect, and help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Fresh flowers can be expensive, but a couple of plants will last a long time if cared for properly, and will pay for themselves many times over in terms of the pleasure they bring.

Bookshelves – particularly for cookbooks

There is also something very cosy and comforting about shelves of books. And in a kitchen, what better than a shelf of cookbooks? Your books can be curated with other items that are significant to you, such as china, glass or ornaments.

The only downside of this is that you do need to remember to clean your shelves regularly – particularly if it is open shelving – as the shelves and their content can quickly attract dust and dirt. And also there is something more special about cookbooks and items that are being used regularly, rather than just sitting looking good on a shelf.

We hope that the above tips are helpful and that you can find ways to make small changes to your kitchen that make your house more like a home. 

For further inspiration, take a browse through our stunning kitchen pictures – and remember to check back here soon for more lifestyle tips from DIY Homefit.