What makes a house a home?

LauraNorder

Somewhere where you just feel content when you’re in it.

Yes, exactly.
I don’t think pets ( much as I like them) make a house a home.
It just needs to be comfortable and ‘lived in’.
I suppose we all have different definitions of a home though.
I like a home to be clean and reasonably tidy with comfortable furniture and cushions, lamps, bookshelves and an open fire or log burner.

It is an indefinable something, that some people have and others do not, so that you go into one house and immediately feel comfortable and go into another and do not.

People make a house a home. I live alone now but have photos of my GCs everywhere.

The warmth of the atmosphere with friendly people. Soft cushions on the sofa, a nice cup of tea and the feeling that you're welcome. You're free to put your feet up and relax.

AGAA4

People make a house a home. I live alone now but have photos of my GCs everywhere.

To be a home, it should reflect something of the personality and character of the home, imo. That might be books, pets, music, photos, pictures on the wall/artwork, somewhere comfy to sit.

Character of home owner(s)
Doh

I have all those things you mentioned Chardy but my family always made it feel like home.

I really wouldn't mind if someone swiped my empty cup away and put it in the dishwasher for me.

Clean, comfortable, not untidy but with perhaps a knitting bag and a magazine rack around in the sitting room.
A pouffé to put your feet up (like I have done now).
Cushions (although we have a friend who really dislikes them so I have to remove them from where he sits).

A house - clean, airy, light, spacious, warm.

A home - happy, contented people.

A house is a home that’s filled with warmth laughter and love.❤️

A dog! A home isn't complete without one. We lost our beloved old black Lab last June, and the months between then and February, when a new black Lab joined the clan, were the longest we'd ever been without a dog around. And we felt it...

A cat, preferably purring.

This is my newly decorated downstairs loo. Over the top and Barbara Cartlandesque! When my 5-year old granddaughter saw it for the first time she was overwhelmed and called out ‘mummy, daddy, come and look!’ Her flat is all white.

Of course cats and a comfy sofa make a home too.

that looks lovely ladyleftfieldlover

AGAA4

I have all those things you mentioned Chardy but my family always made it feel like home.

Surely you don't mean that a person with no family can't have a home.

I’m sorry, but I can’t stand visiting homes with dogs.
The smell, the dog trying to lick me ( yuck )

What makes a home for me is the people in it. I mean most homes have sofas, cushions, plants & lamps, but people bring all that alive.

Chardy home can mean different things to different people. Some feel it is not home without a dog or cat.
I felt home was best with my family in it. Each to their own.
Now I have a comfortable home with just me.

If I had a dream house, it would be a cosy aga, plump sofas and white company candles with a relaxing scent.

But if it’s my own home, what makes me crave it after a holiday is my dogs next to me in their bed, aldi (fake white company) candle burning, a good show like Death in Paradise a steaming tall cup of tea.

Kandinsky

I’m sorry, but I can’t stand visiting homes with dogs.
The smell, the dog trying to lick me ( yuck )

What makes a home for me is the people in it. I mean most homes have sofas, cushions, plants & lamps, but people bring all that alive.

In the years when my house was home to a dog and two cats it did not smell. Nor does my daughter's home with the same number of pets. A home most definitely can be a home without people to bring it alive. Many of us on GN are widowed with families long grown up and living in their own homes. But our homes, are still home to us. It's lovely when the house is filled with people, but the majority of the time we are alone in our houses. My own home is furnished with furniture accumulated over the years, pictures/photos that mean something to me and my family. The usual books in bookcases, plants, cushions etc. It's my safe place. I call it home and I'm always glad to come back to it.

Aldom
I absolutely understand that many people on here live alone - I was coming at this from a visitors point of view. What makes a house ‘homely’ to me is the people ( or person ) living in it. Basically, if I’m made to feel welcome & the house is comfortable.

For me, my home is welcoming and cocoon-like if it is light, airy and uncluttered. Only me there, other than my cats. Quiet. Cup of tea.

It isn't how I'm living at the moment. And I'm trying to live in the moment and appreciate the things I have now. But I anticipate with pleasure the time when my home will return to being an oasis of peace and calm.

JaneJudge

that looks lovely ladyleftfieldlover

It certainly does!
I’m a wallpaper obsessive (Morris & Co to be precise)
Where is it from?

Kandinsky

I’m sorry, but I can’t stand visiting homes with dogs.
The smell, the dog trying to lick me ( yuck )

What makes a home for me is the people in it. I mean most homes have sofas, cushions, plants & lamps, but people bring all that alive.

I feel that way about kids!
(Sorry, not sorry )

I feel that way about kids!
What, smelly and trying to lick you?