Sometimes, you enter a house, and everything is clinically clean, everything is in its place. Do you get the feeling that you are in a waiting room or a show home, not able to relax? You perch on the pristine white lounge suite, as you uncomfortably make conversation and can’t wait to leave.

On the other hand some homes, and I like to think my home too, are different. You breathe a sigh of relief as you enter the door. Kick off your shoes and sink into the comfortable lounge.

What makes one house homely and welcoming and the other house not so much?

Smells

A lovely smell of baking. Maybe delicious cake, biscuits or bread smells wafting from the oven.

The mouth-watering smell of a roast coming from the kitchen.

The beautiful smell of flowers coming from a vase on the table.

The smell of freshly washed linen or freshly ironed clothes.

A candle’s wonderful aroma drifting around the house.

Sights

A well-stocked farmhouse kitchen.

A large, overstuffed sofa that looks so inviting and comfy.

A cat curled up asleep on the chair.

A dog stretched out underneath the table.

Positive sayings and quotes in noticeable places around the home.

A knitting or crochet basket crammed with wool, needles and patterns, overflowing on the floor.

Sounds

Ticking of a clock somewhere in the house.

The laughter of children playing in the yard.

I like to think my home is welcoming, warm, a safe haven from the world outside.  Somewhere you can make yourself at home and really relax.

I think that, especially if you have children, that is the best home to have. Do you agree?

Is your house a home?