What makes a house a home?

My home is my shell. It’s where I go to escape the world. It’s often untidy, etc but I feel safe here.

Yes, its family makes it feel like a home.??x

I lost my partner of 37 years to COVID in January and no matter what projects I try the house just doesn't feel like a home without him. I will keep trying and hopefully one day it might feel like home again.

My home is one I'm always happy to be in or excited to return to.

Thank you, Lady, it’s like a modern interpretation

Somewhere that you feel safe and secure. Where you can relax and put your feet up with out worrying. Somewhere you can chat or talk freely without repercussions. Plenty of laughter and love.

FannyCornforth

JaneJudge

that looks lovely ladyleftfieldlover

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

I bought it from John Lewis. I love William Morris too.

Family, pets - and a certain degree of disorder.

Having grown up with an OCD mother - in a spotless, organised and somehow soulless house, I'm tidiness adverse.

If I clear up , dust and hoover a room, I just have to disorder something. So, a pile of books on the floor, a throw slung over a chair, a jacket hung on the door, a mug left on the mantlepiece, a few toys scattered about - that's cosy to me.

JaneJudge

that looks lovely ladyleftfieldlover

Thank you!

Sorry Jaxjacky but when I said my house didn't smell of dog nor does my daughter's house I meant it. The dogs were /are kept clean as is the house. I too find the smell of dogs in houses disgusting. It is possible to keep dogs without having a stinking home. As an owner you just need to be aware.

Somewhere you can truly put your “stamp” on. After many years of military living in houses that were never truly homes, just places to live, because of all the restrictions placed on you, it was a joy to be able to have a free rein and make a real home. And strangely, it took time to come to terms with that. I know that this was not only my experience.

As above but with my 4 cats and family visiting and my 4 bookshelves bursting with books.

Sorry people with dogs, all but one ‘dog’ house we’ve been in smells of dog, I don’t think the owners realise

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

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 )

JaneJudge

that looks lovely ladyleftfieldlover

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

that looks lovely ladyleftfieldlover

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