Research reveals top 40 things that make a house a home

things make house homely
(Image credit: Getty)

Family photos, fresh bed sheets and a fridge full of food are among the things which most help a house feel like a home.

A study of 2,000 homeowners has revealed what transforms four walls into a homely space, with their own bed topping the list according to 65 per cent.

Similarly, having a ‘space’ on the sofa confirms to 48 per cent that they are at ‘home’.

Personal touches including children’s paintings on the wall (20 per cent), fridge magnets (19 per cent) and even shoes by the door (19 per cent) also help complete a place.

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A spokesperson from Furniture Village, which commissioned the research, said, “This fascinating study confirms that it’s a combination of favourite pieces of furniture along with all those familiar little touches that make a house a home.

“It’s clear that having furniture you love – like your own bed and your own spot on the sofa – is really important at the end of the day.

"But it’s the simple things like family photos, flowers in a vase, and a well-stocked bookshelf that can instantly make your home the place you want to be.

things make house homely

A full bookshelf made the list of things that make a house a home (Credit: Getty)

“We can also see that while bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens score highly as places for homely touches, having distinct spaces carefully designed for entertaining friends, connecting with family, and keeping tidy and organised all help people feel happy, comfortable and relaxed at home.”

The research also revealed the living room is the biggest priority when it comes to making their house homely, followed by the main bedroom and the kitchen.

Decorating also has a big impact on making a house a home according to 53 per cent, although 79 per cent admitted they feel they will always have outstanding jobs to do.

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More than a quarter of those polled, via OnePoll, said a home has to be completely redecorated to feel like it's their own.

And a third also feel accessories have an influence, while 44 per cent turn to furniture to make a difference.

A further 46 per cent feel a home represents an owner’s personality, which explains why artwork, a full bookshelf and personal treasures, such as festival tickets on display, also made the list.

things make house homely

Research found that fresh flowers were important to makes houses homely (Credit: Getty)

It also emerged more than a tenth of adults polled buy home accessories as often as once a month, and on average homeowners redecorate a room every five years.

And 60 per cent believe it’s important to have a warm and inviting space.

When it comes to inspiration to make a house homely, a quarter look at furniture stores, a sixth turn to social media and 12 per cent browse estate agent websites.

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Furniture Village’s spokesperson added: “Home has always been an important space, and that’s particularly true right now as so many of us are spending more time than ever in our homes.

“This research clearly shows the importance of taking time to make the space feel homely and inviting for all the family.

“As well as emotional touches such as memories made and kids running around the house, it’s important to have beautiful high-quality products which the whole family love and which add a touch of personality to the place.”

Top 40 things which make a house a home

  1. Sleeping in your own bed
  2. Family photos
  3. Your own spot on the sofa
  4. The memories made in the home
  5. A fridge full of food
  6. A bookshelf filled with your books
  7. The smell of freshly cooked food
  8. Freshly washed bed sheets
  9. The location of the house
  10. Natural light
  11. Plants
  12. A dining table
  13. Your children in the house
  14. Fresh towels
  15. Flowers in vases
  16. Candles
  17. A fireplace
  18. Having the bed made
  19. A large TV
  20. Blankets and throws
  21. Children's paintings on the wall
  22. Artwork
  23. Hosting dinners for friends and family
  24. A large wardrobe with clothes hung up
  25. A dressing table with your belongings like jewellery and makeup
  26. Shoes by the front door
  27. Fridge magnets
  28. Children's toys in the house
  29. A TV in the bedroom
  30. A doormat
  31. Cook books in the kitchen
  32. Lots of storage
  33. A bedside table setup
  34. A rug
  35. Newly painted walls
  36. Memorabilia like festival tickets on display
  37. Matching kitchen appliances
  38. Matching furniture in each room
  39. A certain air freshener scent
  40. A big wall mirror
Aleesha Badkar
Lifestyle Writer

Aleesha Badkar is a lifestyle writer who specialises in health, beauty - and the royals. After completing her MA in Magazine Journalism at the City, the University of London in 2017, she interned at Women’s Health, Stylist, and Harper’s Bazaar, creating features and news pieces on health, beauty, and fitness, wellbeing, and food. She loves to practice what she preaches in her everyday life with copious amounts of herbal tea, Pilates, and hyaluronic acid.