The Times Australia
Fisher and Paykel Appliances
The Times House and garden

.

Make your Home your Own

  • Written by NewsServices.com

You’re moving into a new house – but it just doesn’t feel like home, yet.  There are still traces of the previous owners everywhere, from handprints on the windows to smudges on the walls, and you just want to feel like it’s your space. Here are some tips that will help you to put your stamp on the place.

Redecorate and revamp

Redecorating is a great idea, particularly if it needs to be done due to smudges on the walls or chips in the paintwork.  It can be a huge task to tackle the whole house at once, so why not focus on the areas where you’ll spend most of your time?  The living room, hallway, kitchen and bedroom are the most commonly used parts of the home, and often where paintwork will look tired first, so focus on those areas to make your new house feel like home in no time at all!

Put up some photos

Whether you’re putting them up on the wall or propping them in frames around the bed frame, adding photos is a great way to make your house feel more like home.  Just looking at the faces of those you love will make you feel safe and happy, and a happy house is a great place to be.

Bake a cake

There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked goods to create a homely feel.  Let the sun stream in through your kitchen blinds as you whip up an apple pie or spiced gingerbread – turn the radio on and really enjoy being in your new kitchen. The smell will be amazing, but sitting down to enjoy your creation with the family will be even better.

Throw a housewarming party

Throwing a housewarming party is the perfect way to feel settled in your new home.  It’s considered to be good luck to invite friends and family to your new residence, and after a few glasses of wine, some rather silly dancing and the mandatory tour of the house, you will feel relaxed and happy. More importantly, if it’s a good party, your friends will want to spend more of their time at your place! Not only will you be Mr or Mrs Popular, but your house will always be filled with warmth and laughter.

Add some rugs

Rugs are a great way to add a cosy feel to any space.  They’re cheaper than carpets, easier to clean and you can change them whenever you like!  Deep pile leather shag rugs are both tactile and beautiful – they feel soft and comforting underfoot but also look stunning in any home.  Sit back on the sofa and let your feet sink into a soft, cosy rug. You can’t go wrong with a rug, no matter what your budget. From cheaper options that you’ll find in Ikea to one off designer rugs that will turn heads, rugs never fail to add that all important sense of homeliness.

By following these simple tips, your house will feel like a home in no time at all, and you can relax and unwind in your beautiful new space.

Times Magazine

Can bigger-is-better ‘scaling laws’ keep AI improving forever? History says we can’t be too sure

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman – perhaps the most prominent face of the artificial intellig...

A backlash against AI imagery in ads may have begun as brands promote ‘human-made’

In a wave of new ads, brands like Heineken, Polaroid and Cadbury have started hating on artifici...

Home batteries now four times the size as new installers enter the market

Australians are investing in larger home battery set ups than ever before with data showing the ...

Q&A with Freya Alexander – the young artist transforming co-working spaces into creative galleries

As the current Artist in Residence at Hub Australia, Freya Alexander is bringing colour and creativi...

This Christmas, Give the Navman Gift That Never Stops Giving – Safety

Protect your loved one’s drives with a Navman Dash Cam.  This Christmas don’t just give – prote...

Yoto now available in Kmart and The Memo, bringing screen-free storytelling to Australian families

Yoto, the kids’ audio platform inspiring creativity and imagination around the world, has launched i...

The Times Features

Why the Mortgage Industry Needs More Women (And What We're Actually Doing About It)

I've been in fintech and the mortgage industry for about a year and a half now. My background is i...

Inflation jumps in October, adding to pressure on government to make budget savings

Annual inflation rose[1] to a 16-month high of 3.8% in October, adding to pressure on the govern...

Transforming Addiction Treatment Marketing Across Australasia & Southeast Asia

In a competitive and highly regulated space like addiction treatment, standing out online is no sm...

Aiper Scuba X1 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review: Powerful Cleaning, Smart Design

If you’re anything like me, the dream is a pool that always looks swimmable without you having to ha...

YepAI Emerges as AI Dark Horse, Launches V3 SuperAgent to Revolutionize E-commerce

November 24, 2025 – YepAI today announced the launch of its V3 SuperAgent, an enhanced AI platf...

What SMEs Should Look For When Choosing a Shared Office in 2026

Small and medium-sized enterprises remain the backbone of Australia’s economy. As of mid-2024, sma...

Anthony Albanese Probably Won’t Lead Labor Into the Next Federal Election — So Who Will?

As Australia edges closer to the next federal election, a quiet but unmistakable shift is rippli...

Top doctors tip into AI medtech capital raise a second time as Aussie start up expands globally

Medow Health AI, an Australian start up developing AI native tools for specialist doctors to  auto...

Record-breaking prize home draw offers Aussies a shot at luxury living

With home ownership slipping out of reach for many Australians, a growing number are snapping up...