A home should be comfortable above all else. You need to instill it with a feeling of welcoming warmth. I am writing this article to help you avoid the common pitfalls that would counteract that feeling. I’ll also be giving you some tips that will enhance it. I won’t be designing a whole house for you, rather pushing you in the right direction.
Comfort starts in the common areas, the places where your friends will be spending their time and where you will be spending the majority of your waking hours. The den should be your main focus.
You need to make sure that the seating is comfortable and well designed. Personally, I like well-designed futons because they are quite comfortable and double as sleeping space if you have guests sleep over. Futon mattresses will bring up memories of college and those nights spent couch surfing. Good memories to spark the telling of good stories.
You should avoid furniture that looks too fancy. I like simple furniture that invites people to take a seat. If your furniture looks like it cost a fortune or belongs in a museum behind glass and two armed guards then people won’t feel at home and might even feel uneasy. This is another reason that I like futons. I don’t believe that any museum has ever featured cheap futons. People see them and immediately plop down and get comfortable.
Make sure that the den is kept open. Never close the doors unless it’s time to start the movie. The flow of the house is important to that feeling of invitation. If you can, I suggest taking down the doors. A closed door in a house is like telling someone you don’t trust them or want them there. It might be to hide that mess you keep intending to clean up, but that’s not how it’s seen.














