What Home Feels Like and How To Create A Feeling Of Home

Learn more about changing what your home feels like and how to create a feeling of home that you are going to love.

I've been on your house to home transition journey to find the true essence of what I value in my life for many years. Simple routines, decluttering methods, minimalism books, ways to shop more sustainably with food, etc. I often hear the term, "life is a journey," and maybe it's cliche to say but getting my home to feel like home has been a journey. And, honestly, one that I figure will continue throughout my lifetime.

Pretty early on in my journey, I realized that I greatly value being comfortable with what our home feels like (creating a cozy atmosphere ranks high up on my list). As an introvert, I love being home. The place I call home (our house) didn't immediately evoke a feeling of home just because we moved in.

The process of making our outdated '70s house to home was just that, a process. Honestly, our house has that at home feeling now but it was a struggle to get to that place. Knowing that I truly value an at home feeling of clutter-free zones, moody colors, soft textures, Hygge, a visual collection of memories, sentimental home styling, I'd say that living in a home during a long-term renovation would probably be something that I wouldn't choose again.

I wouldn't choose it again BUT I could make a house feel like home anywhere. I've learned through trial and error what I truly value and I want to help you begin to feel like home, too!

What is the "Feeling of Home"?

Home is more than how we decorate, it's also about the people who live with us or where we feel safe. But for some of us, home is also very much about physical features within the walls of our space and how that makes us feel.

We are going to focus on that aspect of the home today to help create a better at home feeling.

4 Ways to Create an At-Home Feeling

Incorporate Color That Reflects Your Personality

Are you happier with certain colors? Look at your wardrobe. What are your favorites? How do they make you feel? Now, look around your house. Are those colors or patterns found throughout your home? If not, can you bring them in with wall paint, a rug or art?

Prioritize Security and Privacy

Does home make you feel safe? Or do you feel a lack of safety at home? What can be done about these things within the home? For example, if you feel a lack of safety, maybe you feel too visible from your street. Do you need curtains or shades? Or maybe, a motion sensor light outside?

Embrace the Concept of Hygge

The term "hygge" is a danish term and, from my reading, my biggest takeaway is simplicity, warmth and comfort. Think about adding layers (but in a simple way) to up the coziness of your home with natural textures (blankets, sheep rugs), candles, lights on dimmers, and books stacked on a table.

Curate Sentimental Decor and Memories

A house often starts feeling like a home when the items within it begin to tell a story. While it is tempting to buy a complete "look" from a showroom, a home’s soul usually lives in the pieces that can’t be bought off a shelf. Curating sentimental decor is about being a gatekeeper for what enters your space, ensuring that your surroundings reflect your journey and the people you love.

Look for the Story in the Object

Sentimental decor doesn't always have to be a literal photograph. It can be the vintage rug you found on a road trip, a hand-me-down dresser you spent hours restoring, or even a collection of smooth stones from a favorite family hike. When you look at these items, they should trigger a specific memory or a feeling of groundedness.

• The "Found" Gallery: Instead of a standard gallery wall, mix in 3D objects. A framed map of a place that is significant to your family or a small shelf holding a piece of pottery from a local artisan adds more depth than a mass-produced print.
• Functional Heirlooms: If you have inherited items, try to bring them into your daily life rather than tucking them away in a box. Using a grandmother’s quilt on the foot of a bed or a handmade wooden bowl to hold your keys makes those memories part of your current routine.

Avoid the "Museum" Trap

The goal is to curate, not just collect. To keep a home feeling intentional rather than cluttered, choose a few high-impact pieces that truly resonate. When every item has a "why" behind it, the space feels quieter and more cohesive. It’s okay to let go of things that no longer serve your story to make room for the pieces that truly make you feel at peace.

Intentional Photo Displays

If you are using photos, consider the "vibe" of the display.

• Black and White Consistency: Printing various family photos in black and white can make a mismatched group of memories feel like a professional, cohesive art installation.
• The Rotating "Memory Corner": Dedicate one small area—like a pinboard or a digital frame—to the "now." This allows you to celebrate current milestones (like a sports win or a school certificate) without permanent clutter.

These are just ideas to get you started!

Ok, now that you've been thinking about what home feels like, let's get some actionable steps to take.

Actionable Steps to Transition from House to Home

• Make a list of what you value that makes you feel at home (what makes you comfortable, what makes you smile, etc).
• Now, make a second list of things that you feel don't contribute to the feeling of home in a way that supports your first list.
• Look at your lists and see if there's anything that you can take from the first list to modify/change on the second list. For example, if you value a clean house then what are ways that aren't contributing to the feeling of cleanliness? Could it be that you need to have a shoe-off policy? If so, how would you accomplish that? Would you need a shoe bin in the garage or mudroom? A basket by the stairs to corral shoes?
• Start small. Invest a little bit of time and effort and evaluate how you feel after you start. Tiny changes CAN have a big impact on how we feel.

Final Thoughts on the Journey of Intentional Living

Don't get discouraged if transforming your house to a home doesn't happen overnight, because I promise, it won't. Emotional changes and growth as well physical home changes take time and finding the joy in the journey is all part of it.

I'm cheering you on!

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