How do you make a house a home?

[1confused1]

The kids and I have been in this house for coming up on 3 years (I'm renting) It has always felt like a place where we keep our stuff, not homey at all. I'm about to sign an additional 2 year lease (so he won't keep raising rent), what can I do to make it feel more like a home?

I thought paint, hanging more pictures, but then I'm drawing a blank.

[abcdefu]

I make it a point to spend time inside my home. I don't have children, but are your kids in a lot activities? Do you feel like you are running around so much that you're only home to sleep? That could be contributing to the feeling that it's not a home. Whereas, when you lived with your ex-h, he *may* have helped with the kids. I'm assuming, but when you live with ex-h, were you only in one house? I'm asking because maybe it felt more like home because you lived there as a married couple. You brought your kids home from the hospital and made a family there.

I've been in my rental for 4 years and up until a year ago, I was still trying to make my house homey. I picked out a new comforter set for my bed; hung curtains around the home. displayed lots of photos. Maybe displaying more photos of you and the kids will help.

Also, I picked areas where I would do specific activities. I have a corner with a chair to read. I have an area with my exercise equipment.

[cuddlyevil]

We have redecorated, but also just spending time in the house together doing things together.

[dancelnow]

Trying to get out of the mindset of not buy this or decorate/paint that because I'm just going to move soon.

[Deleted]

Paint and decor.  I also just feel like you feel homier in some places more than others.  My one apt felt like home, the others not as much.  My current apartment is great and would be homier if I knew I was staying longer--but we only plan to stay the year and that ends in April/May.

[Deleted]

I mostly lurk here, but thought I'd chime in because I lived alone in 2 apartments and a house before I met my H. Paint and decor definitely helped, and so did having people over (have people over for appetizers or to watch a movie, or whatever you like to do.) And for some reason, baking always makes me feel more at home. Bake something seasonal and enjoy the smell all over the house. Get your kids to help you, if they're interested. Get some traditions going so you have some familiar, warm and fuzzy things that you do in your place. (Like at Christmas, no matter where I was, I would always bake gingerbread cookies before decorating the tree.) The more social memories I made in a place, the more I liked it.

[1confused1]

Thank you all.

abcdefu you might be on to something. We are always on the go between my work, commute, kids school, sports, etc.

[jenstar]

I have loads of my kids artwork up at our rental which I think helps. I've also hung a number of other pictures with command strips. Thankfully our furniture fit pretty well, and we have our own rugs and use lamps rather than the overhead lighting which is horrible.

I think spending time there is definitely important too.

Good luck. I know I've struggled with our rental as much as I love parts of it because I knew we would buy a house but I never knew where or when that would happen and it felt like we were in limbo for so long. 2 years is a decent commitment though so you shouldn't feel nervous about painting or hanging pictures or curtains you like etc.

[doglove]

Personal photos, curtains, art work/decor you enjoy. Comfy pillows on the couch, paint, area rugs and things you like. For example, I love Christmas lights so I keep them up on a bookshelf all year long so I can turn them on and have that ambiance lighting that reminds me of Christmas.

[heywhat]

Huh. I have never had this problem (going on my 5th residence in the last decade)

Things that make me feel good and cozy at home... baking, having family dinner, sunshine through the windows while relaxing on the couch reading.

[melloyello]

For me, it's been hanging pictures and artwork, and just spending time here. I've only been in my apartment for 9 months, but I love it and I'm going to be sad when I move (in 3 weeks). I hung a valance on my kitchen window using command hooks. I tried putting curtains on my front window with command hooks but it's a very wide window and they fell down. They did stay up for about 5 months though!

[leahmel]

Just surround yourself with things that make you feel comfy and that make you feel happy. Sometimes hanging your kids artwork is a really nice way to make a home feel like it is yours as a family. There are photo trees where you can clip family photos.

Put books of interest on shelves and things that relate to your interests.

Scents from a diffuser with essential oils, scented candles, or incense in scents that are comforting to you can evoke nice feelings of comfort. Mood lighting and ambiance can be created with candles and nice light (I love Himalayan salt lamps). I love having lots of different comfy textures like fuzzy pillows and soft blankets.

Have a corner that is filled with games that you can play with the kids and make that your "game night" space, or crafting space or anything that makes you think of quality time.

Think more in terms of the feelings it evokes. Go to a home decor store or section, and if some things make you feel happy, pick them up!