It doesn’t matter whether it’s a one-room bedsit or a Downton Abbey-sized mansion – everyone deserves to have a place they can call home.
However, there is something indefinable about the term as it could just as easily apply to new build homes in Harlow or period properties in Penzance.
One thing is for sure; a home definitely means more than having a collection of personal possessions or a few carefully chosen items of furniture. In fact, sometimes a residence that is full of brand new items can feel soulless and lacking in character.
So what is it exactly that makes a space a home?
Roots
One of the most important things about a home is having ‘roots’ there. Knowing you are going to be happy there for a long period of time is a lot more comforting than simply being aware you will only be passing through.
The whole idea of settling in somewhere and putting down roots lies at the heart of the place we call home.
It’s also somewhere that we can feel safe, protected and retreat from the stresses and strains of everyday life and therefore, relax. For some, this can mean being surrounded by family or house-mates, for others the ideal might be to have somewhere totally to themselves.
History
Another part of a home is the history that comes with it. Sometimes this can mean living in a building that you or your family have occupied for a long time and other times it can simply mean creating an environment that reflects your personality.
This sense of personality within your home can be created by making use of vintage items and styles which can be a great way to invent your own feeling of connection with the past.
Style
By having your own sense of style means that using vintage items can be applied into your home in many different ways.
Whether it’s a specialist personal interest or hobby, or a more general sense of adopting an interior design theme or decoration, creating your own mix can be one of the most satisfying ways to have a home that is truly your own.