What makes a house a home to you?

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I live alone so it's a clean home that smells nice, is cosy, cute, loads of books.

An old thread resurrected for spam @ the weirdo - reported. (Not you!)

After my husband died a few years ago, our home stopped being a home, it took me three years to come to terms with it and that I would never him see or hear his voice again, but slowly but surely my home once again became a home, a haven, because I had so many wonderful memories of our lives together since the 1960's.

There is nothing better than after being out shopping or whatever, than coming home, opening the front door, calling out I am home love, and locking the door. My memories are all around me and I absolutely adore it.

Somewhere I can be myself, the people who live here and visit.
Having lived in the same house for nearly 50 years the happy and a few sad memories that we have made here.

TopGunner like you when my husband died in 2004 I lost my home and it became a house . He was my home . It was just a house I rattled round . I heard my husband charge through the door every evening and drop his briefcases in the porch before shouting hello Whiff and I would reply hello Hubs .

Took me 15 years to have a home again when I moved here 5 years ago . My bungalow is home and made it into my cosy nest . My husband is with me everyday and still talk to him everyday out loud . When I have a rant him I see him with that stupid grin on his face and I am glad I can still see him . He is frozen in time at 47. But since moving here am living the life he always wanted for me and that's living my life to the full the best way I can. I promised him that . I can honestly say I am happy and love my home . Took me at lot of years to feel this way as a lot happened after he died . My home is my safe place and will never move . I brought all my memories of my husband with me. He always said I had a black thumb turned out he was wrong and even grow some of my own veg. Still can kill a houseplant with a look. But prefer my plants outside .

I am glad you have your home back your happy place . 💐

Big windows, many lamps, fireplaces, wooden floors, old (not stylish) - no clutter, clean, plain. Warm, light and bright.

Warmth and light. I hate cold houses and dull houses that get no sunshine. I never feel comfortable. A friend lives round the corner in an old cottage and it’s always cold because no sun gets into the house. She has a real eye for decor and lovely furniture but I couldn’t live there if you paid me.

i have been told i have a home not a house, you will find dust, and upstairs probably should have been hoovered and please don't look at the side of my cooker, i have family photos on the wall and an old sideboard with special nick-nacks in it, if you want a cuppa, (famly, friends) you know where the kettle is, workmen can just get on with, i don't need to follow them about. a boy bringing a deliveroo shop yesterday could not get the code to work so i said come in, check the laptop, as he was leaving he said, you have a lovely place it is cosy and you could relax in it.

My Victorian fireplaces!
However not long ago I realised our not regular delivery driver would ask to use the toilet. He then added the house is clean and welcoming

Being able to shut and lock the door against the world outside. Having some long life milk , apples, and oatcakes in the cupboard and money to pay the energy bills.

Having visitors who respect me. and only those who respect me.

Despite this thread being resurrected by a spammer, I’ve found it an interesting read (I missed it the first time round), and quite pleased that it’s being posted on again for its proper purpose of describing what makes a home a home and not just a house.

I agree with all that’s been said - a home offers comfort, safety, a lived in feel.

Having nice neighbours who are there if you need them but not intrusive is important - it must be dreadful if your life is made miserable by thoughtless, unpleasant, neighbours.

We all probably have slightly different criteria, but for me my home feels comfortable, cosy and has things around me that I treasure (books, ornaments, flowers, etc), and the person I love. It also holds many happy memories.

As others have said, that sense of feeling “I’m home” once the door is opened and you walk in is special and comforting. No standing on ceremony once home, either 😊.

I am another one who feels that what makes a house a home is feeling safe and also feeling no worries (or less anxiety) about everything else happening outside of the home.

Books and pets.

A home can only feel like a home to me if I feel safe and secure.