by Jo Ann Wentzel

Created on: September 30, 2009   Last Updated: October 04, 2009

We all have seen the difference, when we visited friends or for one reason or another have been in someone else's house, that there is a difference between a house and a home. Here are a few tips to make a house into a home.

One of the first things you will notice when it is a home and not just a house you are visiting is that it feels welcoming. From the first view outside to the front door to the entrance area of the house it says we are glad you are here. We love having you visit. It could be the way it looks, but more about the way it feels welcomes you. It is clean and tidy, pretty and the path to the door and inside the house is clear. You do not need to feel like you are intruding due to many barriers you must pass just to gain entrance.

Another early sign is the way the first room you see is put together. It will seem suitable and well arranged. The traffic pattern will flow and not stop and start. It will be pleasing to the idea in its arrangement.

You will probably notice a color scheme or lack of one soon after you enter. A pleasing color scheme makes it seem like a home rather than a house although this is a more subtle trait. When you go into a home showing a look at new homes, it also may show a color scheme, but somehow there is a difference. It lacks warmth and individuality. For me, the more individuality in color scheme and decor, the more home like it feels.

Something that will hit you early on is how a place smells. Some of us are very sensitive to smells and appreciate a welcoming, pleasant smell. What the smell is will not be as important as that it smells good. It could be the smell of food that are cooking, but remember some foods may taste good, but still do not smell that way while cooking such as fish or fried foods. If you expect guests, always try to eliminate bad odors, while replacing them with good ones. The smell of baking usually is good especially bread, foods with apple or citrus or vanilla flavors. A pot roast will be appealing while eggs or fried onions will not. Homes smell delicious.

Notice the ambiance when you enter. How a place feels is important to feeling homey. You can sense strife and evil and it does not feel right. Homes feel good and houses just feel like buildings.

A homey feel to a place can begin in many ways. It can be the richness of colors or the subtleness of patterns. It can be the fresh fruit in a basket on the kitchen counter or a single rose in the bud vase ion a desk. It can be the relaxed way a

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