Armelle Habib
It always takes a little while for a new house or apartment to feel like home, especially when the walls are bare and cupboards empty.
This feeling is particularly hard to shake if you’re a renter, because you’ll have to ask your landlord for permission to hang so much as a picture. There are a few ways you can make an empty house feel like home without painting, redecorating or hanging shelves, and none of them will take up too much of your time.
Put a collection on display
Whether you collect stamps, coins or just love sticking up your holiday snaps, get creative with frames, bookshelves, coffee tables and bunting to display your beloved collection of treasures.
Use plants for decorating
Indoor houseplants are the decorating item du jour and elevate any room, no matter how bare, instantly. Try picking up a large, medium and small plant variety from your local hardware store, nursery or plant sale. Palms, peace lilies and crotons are all durable indoor pant options.
Utilise soft furnishings
Cushions, rugs, throws and decorative items arranged upon an armchair, sofa, coffee table or mantelpiece are the perfect way to put your personality on display and cosy up a space without mounting things to walls or redecorating. Don’t forget that small changes, like replacing vertical blinds with long linen curtains, can also make a space feel considerably more homey.
Create a reading nook
Reading nook, gaming nook, writing nook, art nook, whatever your favourite past-time is, ensure you’ve dedicated a little corner to it. Set yourself up with some soft seating, cosy blankets (or a fan, in summer) and all the tools of the trade you might need on a little side table in a part of the house that is perfect for tackling your hobby.
Break out the antiques
If you have some family heirloom, antique furniture or even just some vintage or second hand furniture that you love, make sure it’s one of the first pieces taken out and put on display in your new home. It will immediately warm up the space and make it feel as though someone actually lives there.
This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens.
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