In order to turn a house into a home, you must make it cozy and welcoming instead of a sterile beige box.
Designers who decorate model homes use many tricks to make the model home more desirable.
Here are some interior designer tips & tricks for making a home cozy and welcoming.
photo courtesy of kaboompics.com/photo/1507/dutch-home-decor
Books
Books make a home feel lived in and welcoming.
Books are especially charming if they are hard back books that look like they have been read many times.
You can use books as an accessory on your coffee table or displayed in a bookcase.
Consider removing the paper jackets for a more cozy vintage feel.
Fire
Fire from candles or a fireplace adds warmth to a home and the glow makes a home feel cozy.
If the weather is not cool enough for a fire, consider adding white or creme candles to the inside your fireplace to get a glow with less heat.
Blankets and Pillows
Blankets and pillows add a sense of comfort and coziness to a home.
Leave a blanket folded neatly on the end of a bed or the arm of a sofa to encourage guests to cover up if cold.
Don't use so many pillows on a sofa that there is not enough room for people to sit. Get large floor pillows for children to sit or lay on.
Scents
Bake cookies or an apple pie to create a wonderful scent throughout your home.
If you are not planning on baking, use a scented candle or light air freshener for a welcoming scent.
Personalization
Personalize your home to make it more cozy and welcoming.
Paint your walls a warm earth tone such as brown, green, or caramel.
Add family photos and memories from your travels.
Decorate your home with one-of-a-kind items, perhaps from an architectural salvage or antique store.
Proper Lighting
Light dimmers are inexpensive and can allow you to easily change the mood of a room by adjusting the light level.
Don't only rely just on overhead lighting to light a room.
Use lighting from lamps also to help create an appropriate mood.
Comfortable Furniture
Before you buy new furniture, you MUST sit on it first.
Sitting in an uncomfortable chair or sofa is very unwelcoming.
