What makes a house a home?

Yep

I used to love making the house cosy, especially for Autumn & the darker nights with cosy cushions, throws & scented candles then enjoyed settling down with a nice glass of wine with my husband of 42 years. Sadly he died in early August this year and as others have said home just doesn’t feel the same anymore. I’ve always loved decorating the house for Christmas and will try to keep this up for the grandchildren. My DH always used to say ‘oh no not more cushions’ when I appeared with bags full of new ones, but always put up with the cushion invasion anyway ☺️

I am on my own now, it's wonderful after living with someone who was like 'sleeping with the enemy'. I have a cat, anyone is welcome for tea, coffee or wine!

For me it's the people that live there. A warm welcome, a relaxed take-us-as-you-find-us attitude, a well made cuppa and happy friendly pets.

To be honest I don't pay much attention to peoples' houses when we visit them, it's the people themselves we are visiting.

I hope people think of our home that way too.

All the usual home comforts with a welcoming safe atmosphere full of kindnes, love and hospitality.

Everyone has really summed it up already - people, cosiness, etc. - but all the talk of doggy smells made me think how much smells are part of home. Lamb chops grilling or a cake in the oven, the warm friendly smell of tea leaves when you clean them out of the pot, nice clean clothes and sheets, shoe polish. This might sound disgusting to many of you - most of us don't make very good associations when we see the words 'people' and 'smell' together! - but honestly people can really smell simply wonderful (I was very fortunate with my family and friends in this!) Now that I'm alone it's one of the things I miss most (along with their voices.) Pipe-smoke, and ink back when we still filled pens and wrote letters! When 'Private Eye' was still in paper covers that was one of my favourite home smells, and I'll never forgive Proctor and Gamble for changing the scent of Fairy Liquid. I had to live in America for some time and literally used to dream of the smell of Fairy Liquid, somehow it said 'home' like nothing else did. It was perfect and I do wish they'd bring it back.
It's going to sound even funnier to say 'the smell of my grandfather's makeup!' [hmmm] but he was an actor and there was the most amazing magic in climbing the stairs to his room ... as you got to the top you could start to breathe in just a trace of something very deep in its essence; sturdy, functional, and mysterious all at the same time (oh dear, I could give those pratts who go on about wine a run for their money.) It was subtle but utterly compelling. When I was small sometimes I'd sit at the top of the stairs just to be surrounded by the mix of books, wool, and greasepaint. (He kept the makeup in a tin in his wardrobe, which was on the landing just outside his bedroom. That accounts for wool suddenly coming into the picture!)
The sound of Radio 4 in the background was such a part of home for me but I can't bear it these days. (What a grumpy old bag I sound.)
When I was caring for my mother we had to make a move we very much did not to make and shouldn't have had to, it was down to a horrid lie someone told and quite traumatic, especially for her. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise but it certainly didn't feel that way at the time. When we got to our new flat I made a little sign that said 'Home is Where the Mum Is' and put it on the fridge where she could see it easily. Soppy perhaps but home really is the people you love. Goodness this is much too long and self-indulgent.
Leftfield, your loo is smashing! Thank you for posting the photo. It made me feel quite cheerful. And I'm very sorry to hear about your rabbit, Galaxy. They can be very good friends indeed. Thoughts to all who live alone but don't want to.

I enjoy my home warm , peaceful and comfortable, with lots of cosy throws,cushions, candles & photos of my family on the unit . I have battery operated fairy lights strung across mantle piece & twig lights in vases of flowers , which I keep switched on 24/7 which adds to the atmosphere. I live on my own so enjoy the company of my little dog and relaxing glass wine at the end of the day .

Must have books and feel welcoming to all who enter..a friendly dog / cat/ budgie and instant offer of a cup of tea or whatever, and not filthy..

Clean, comfy and harmonious with a warm welcome.

Clean, calm, elegant, civilised.

Genuine love! It doesn't matter how big or small, how posh or otherwise, it's tge happiness of the people living there

All I know is that when my last Bulldog died (this is some time ago) my children talked me into waiting until I retired before I replaced him. I lasted 2 weeks. My grandson summed it up. He had been used to dropping by on his way home from school and spending an hour or so in the house with the dog. After he died, he stopped doing so and when I asked him why, he answered that it just wasn't "warm" without a dog. My thoughts exactly.

I replaced my lost pet with another (rescue) dog asap.

Friends and family!