Revealed - the top 50 things that make a house feel like home in Bristol

Bristol

Family photos, getting out in the garden and underfloor heating have been revealed among the top things that those in Bristol say make a house feel like home.

New research from leading housebuilder, Redrow, which has developments across the region, including Frenchay Park and the brand-new Charlton Common, has unveiled the top 50* things that those in Bristol feel are key to making a house or flat feel like home – and some of the answers came as a surprise.

Interestingly, many people across Bristol say they’ve turned to completing a sage cleanse to help them settle in, while more than a third (35%) said it was the less spiritual type of cleansing, a simple tidying away of clutter, that made their house feel like a home.

Although the kitchen in often thought of as the heart of the home, this is no longer the case in Bristol – the majority, 63% of those in the city, voted their lounge as being at the heart of their home, with 49% having prioritised this room in their current property as the area they decorated to suit their taste first.

Some of the more unusual, but surprisingly common, features that made the top 50* list of things that make a house a home were revealed to be an induction hob, and having an air source heat pump – a sign that sustainable technology now contributes to people’s sense of feeling more at home.

On average, it takes those living in Bristol 6-11 months from moving in for a new house to feel like home (49%), quicker than the national average of 1.1 years, but for 23% it takes more than a year. This may be one of the reasons why getting to know the neighbours also featured on the Bristol ‘House to Home’ top 50 list.

Homely décor featured in the list includes family photos, natural light, plants and flowers, or sentimental heirlooms passed down through generations. Snuggling up on the sofa to watch a favourite show, family movie nights on the sofa, and getting out in the garden were voted as little actions that also made the top 50* things that make a house a home.

And it seems those in Bristol really do enjoy a touch of luxury too – with high ceilings, walk in wardrobes and ensuite bathrooms also making the final cut.

When asked what makes a house/flat feel less homely, those in the city said when a house feels cold (70%), clutter and lack of storage (50%), when there is not a lot of natural light (31%), cool lighting (17%) and someone else’s décor and style choices (21%) – which is why it’s no surprise that 40% would prefer to decorate from a blank canvas in a new build, rather than 30% who would prefer to draw inspiration from previous owners in a second-hand property.

Commenting on the data, Sian Smith, Sales Director at Redrow South West, said: “The findings of our latest research really capture the essence of what makes a house a home – whether that be making personal décor choices, creating new memories or adding home comforts to help you settle in.

“It’s no surprise that so many people in the region would prefer a newbuild to enable them to create these homely touches from the very start of their property journey – whether that’s choosing design features such as underfloor heating, fixture and fittings, or home layouts, or simply wanting to enjoy experiences in a home that is wholly theirs from the foundations onwards.

“We hope that our top 50* list helps those currently in the moving process to settle in a bit quicker, now they know what they need to help make their house feel like home. We’d encourage anyone looking to embark on the journey of finding a new home to visit our stunning Bristol developments Frenchay Park and our new eco-electric development Charlton Common in Filton, to take a look around and see what Redrow has to offer.”

The research was compiled to celebrate Redrow’s 50th anniversary, which sees the housebuilder mark half a century of building high quality, premium homes across England and Wales.

Located just six miles from the heart of Bristol, Frenchay Park is within easy reach of transport links into the vibrant city centre. Offering the perfect balance of city-life, while being surrounded by open parkland and stunning walks, the new development is perfectly placed for first-time buyers, growing families and commuters alike.

Situated in Filton, Charlton Common is five miles north of Bristol city centre, boasting a perfect mix of city and country living. The development benefits from fantastic travel connections of the M4 and M5, providing great links to Cardiff, the South West and London. Commuting is effortless, and the development is also in close proximity to plentiful amenities and a good selection of schools too.

To find out more about Redrow developments across the South West, including Frenchay Park and Charlton Common, please visit redrow.co.uk/locations/south-west

Top 50* things that make a house/flat feel like home in Bristol:

1. Getting out in your garden
2. Family photos
3. Underfloor heating
4. Carpets
5. Throw cushions
6. Getting to know your neighbours
7. Air source heat pumps
8. Memorabilia
9. A comfy sofa
10. Marking your kid’s height on the walls
11. Designing your own kitchen
12. Reading the paper with a cup of coffee
13. Natural light
14. Candles
15. Cooking for your family
16. Plants and flowers
17. Sitting down for a family dinner
18. Adding small personal touches over time through decorating and accessorising
19. A large television
20. Going for a walk in your neighbourhood
21. Hosting family for tea
22. High ceilings
23. Walk-in wardrobe
24. A coffee machine
25. Completing a sage cleanse
26. Sentimental items passed through generations
27. Large windows
28. Ceiling coving
29. Having friends and family over for a BBQ
30. Celebrating a birthday
31. Open plan living
32. Artwork
33. Tidying away any clutter
34. Hosting Christmas
35. Bringing home your newborn from the hospital
36. Making the bed
37. Matching furniture
38. En-suite bathroom from the master
39. Induction hob
40. Coffee table books
41. Scented room spray
42. Baking cookies
43. Family movie nights on the sofa
44. Snuggling up on the sofa to watch your favourite show
45. Children’s drawings on the fridge
46. Choosing your fittings and fixtures
47. Blankets on the sofa
48. Window seat
49. Playing your favourite song
50. A fireplace

* List compiled from five separate survey questions asking what things, actions, features and memories make a house feel like a home in separate questions. The top 50 is in no particular order.

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