12 Ways to Make a New House Feel Lived-In
Give your new home character and soul with these clever tips
It takes time for a new house to feel like a home, but you can fast-track the ageing process with some clever moves. We might strive to look as young as we can, but when it comes to houses, the more lived-in it looks, the more comfortable it feels. Try working these decorating and design ideas into your new home.
2. Make use of family heirlooms
A charming patchwork quilt like this one can take a bedroom back in time, and don’t forget the lounge room if you have extras. An old quilt draped over an armchair or couch makes the room instantly feel more comfortable.
And are there items from your childhood home you remember fondly? Whether books, a painting, lamp or a rug, adding items with meaning will give a home soul.
A charming patchwork quilt like this one can take a bedroom back in time, and don’t forget the lounge room if you have extras. An old quilt draped over an armchair or couch makes the room instantly feel more comfortable.
And are there items from your childhood home you remember fondly? Whether books, a painting, lamp or a rug, adding items with meaning will give a home soul.
3. Scour second-hand stores
This wonderful old cabinet is a great way to add a little character to a home, and the old wire basket is a novel way to store extra toilet paper. Who knew toilet paper could look so good?
This wonderful old cabinet is a great way to add a little character to a home, and the old wire basket is a novel way to store extra toilet paper. Who knew toilet paper could look so good?
5. Use appliances to add age-old appeal
This gorgeous oven is the star of the show in this kitchen. Imagine a shiny, modern oven in its place. Still a great kitchen, just not quite as special. If you don’t want to replace your perfectly good modern oven just yet, just add an old set of scales, retro kettle or ‘50s-style mixmaster for a similar feel.
This gorgeous oven is the star of the show in this kitchen. Imagine a shiny, modern oven in its place. Still a great kitchen, just not quite as special. If you don’t want to replace your perfectly good modern oven just yet, just add an old set of scales, retro kettle or ‘50s-style mixmaster for a similar feel.
7. Use recycled bricks
These steps look like they’ve been worn down over decades, but the bricks have simply been relocated.
These steps look like they’ve been worn down over decades, but the bricks have simply been relocated.
8. Use time-worn tableware
Pewter can be used in any home to great effect – think jugs, platters and serving trays. The candlesticks and centrepiece age this table setting still further. Just beautiful.
Pewter can be used in any home to great effect – think jugs, platters and serving trays. The candlesticks and centrepiece age this table setting still further. Just beautiful.
9. Give the kitchen an antique edge
This kitchen could be new, but you’d never know it. The painted floorboards and choice of drawer handles takes this room back in time.
This kitchen could be new, but you’d never know it. The painted floorboards and choice of drawer handles takes this room back in time.
10. Source vintage signs
When you’re adding charm to a home, you needn’t spend a lot at antique stores to achieve the desired effect. Old-fashioned shopfront signs are a great way to add character, whether reproductions or the real deal.
When you’re adding charm to a home, you needn’t spend a lot at antique stores to achieve the desired effect. Old-fashioned shopfront signs are a great way to add character, whether reproductions or the real deal.
11. Light the way
The industrial pendant lighting in this kitchen is a popular trend. Lighting is a brilliant way to add historic highlights to any room of the house.
The industrial pendant lighting in this kitchen is a popular trend. Lighting is a brilliant way to add historic highlights to any room of the house.
12. And there’s always the possibility of turning back time…
This ‘old’ clock may be a reproduction, but it still adds something special to this lovely laundry.
TELL US
What have you done to give your home a lived-in feeling? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.
MORE
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This ‘old’ clock may be a reproduction, but it still adds something special to this lovely laundry.
TELL US
What have you done to give your home a lived-in feeling? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.
MORE
Don’t Let the Little Costs of Moving House Surprise You
Relocation Stations: 8 Top Tips for a Smooth Move
Moving to a Smaller Home? Here’s How to Downsize Happily
This delightful dining space combines an old table with modern chairs, and is much more warm and inviting as a result.