Bringing our own character and personal details into our homes can be so much fun! I’ve maintained consistently with Grandma’s house that its possible for our homes to reflect us while also still remaining true to the home we’re living in. In our case a 100 year old farmhouse is the palette we had to start with and its very important to me that somehow I find a way to make it our own but remain true to it. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a custom home for us with all of our character shining bright!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

Making your home your own is something very special, and it’s important to most people to do it, and to get it right. Buying somewhere or signing a tenancy agreement is the first step, but if you want the place you’re living in to be yours (whether you own it or not) and not still have the look of the previous incumbents in it, then you’ll need to make some changes – and they need to suit you. Here’s how to get started.  

Add Color 

Color is a very personal thing, and what one person loves another might hate. Therefore, if you want to make your home personal to you, you should choose to add colors that match what you like best. It’s probably not a good idea to throw color everywhere, as that can even irritate those who actually like the colors in the first place, but an accent wall or bright furniture can really show your personality while keeping the home as classy as possible.  

Share Your Belongings 

If you have been traveling, for example, and collected lots of weird and wonderful things along the way, or you’ve inherited some lovely porcelain, or you just like to collect wooden trinket boxes – or anything else, since everyone is different – then put them on display in a cabinet or on a gorgeous chest of drawers and don’t be afraid to show people what you like. This is your home, not theirs, so they don’t have to like the same things as you, and it would be a shame if you felt you couldn’t share your fantastic collected belongings with everyone who came to visit.  

Don’t Hide Your Hobby 

As well as keeping the items that you’ve collected over the years out for all to see, don’t rush to tidy away your hobbies when someone comes to visit. If you love to paint and there are canvases and paintbrushes on the table, why is that a problem? Of course, if you’re planning on using the table while your guests are over, then you’ll need to move things out of the way, but otherwise, just leave it all there. You’re going to go back to it later, and even if you’re worried about the mess, it’s likely that your guests will find it all fascinating.  

Listen To Music 

Something that really makes a house a home is the music played there. Play whatever you like to listen to; it will make you feel better because music has a soothing and de-stressing effect. If you’re very much into your music, then you might also want to consider installing excellent speakers so that you can hear it better. There are many to choose from, which is why researching the right ones will give you a good choice, and you can narrow it down from there.  

Don’t Try To Match Up

There is a trend in furnishings that seems to delight in showing people how they need to have matching furniture in order for their house to look lovely. While that can work very well, you need to have the kind of personality that likes this kind of style in order to enjoy it – otherwise you’re just decorating your home to please others. If you prefer to find unique items individually and add them to your home, then that’s what you should do – you’ll love where you live, and it will look beautiful.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)