HOW TO MAKE A HOUSE A HOME By Tori Malone, Senior Interior Designer, INVESTA INTERIORS
You’ve scrimped and saved, and the time is finally here for you to move into your very own home. But with all your money going towards your deposit, new furniture and expensive accessories can sometimes become an after-thought, so turning your dream house into a home can take a little longer. Tori Malone, Senior Interior Designer at INVESTA, shares her top tips on how to make your house feel like home as quickly and affordably as possible… 1. Don’t worry about ensuring everything matches or is brand new. Using different pieces of furniture will add character to your home. If you have vintage pieces, family heirlooms, or something you picked up secondhand, embrace the mix-and-match look. And, if you’re on a budget, there are lots of hacks online so you can use cheaper furniture pieces and create something unique with a bit of DIY. 2. New homes can feel sparse and sterile because of their emptiness and often white walls, so add splashes of colour and pattern. This will soon make your new home feel more welcoming and homely. And if you’re a fan of keeping walls neutral, try contrasting with colourful artwork and soft furnishings. 3. When the times comes to put a splash of paint on the walls, get to know each room’s natural light. The way light fills each room will differ depending on location and window sizes and this can affect how your chosen paint colour will look at different times of the day. Take your time and consider the right colours for the atmosphere you want to create. 4. Whether it’s a sofa, rug, textured wallpaper or throw, textures and fabrics can instantly add warmth to any room, making it feel more like home. For example, pairing a soft velvet sofa with a luxurious deep pile rug and a woollen throw will create depth, the perfect tactile feel, and, of course, comfort. 5. You want your new place to feel like home as soon as possible, so instead avoid the dreaded cold “big light” and
10 | nationalhomebuyingweek.co.uk
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