Jan Coffman, The Porch Wildwood
I always focus on adding table lamps and accent lamps using warm 2700K bulbs, as well as window treatments and rugs to make a room feel warmer and absorb sound. I love to incorporate old items the customer wants to use such as books, photos and furniture pieces. A final small touch that can make all the difference is the addition of a scented candle or diffuser.

April Jenson, ADJ Interiors.
Think in layers: mix textures, heights, and materials so the space feels collected over time instead of installed in a day. Start with classic, timeless silhouettes for bigger pieces, then build on them with art, color and accessories that feel a bit imperfect and comfortably worn-in. Create vignettes that tell your story—a wood cocktail table with a stack of favorite books, a small metal object and a vase of fresh flowers instantly looks more lived-in and intentional. Skip generic big-box décor and choose items that reflect your interests, travels and memories so every surface has something personally meaningful. When your home quietly narrates who you are and where you’ve been, it stops feeling “new” and starts feeling like you. Photography by Alise O'Brien.

Alyssa Mangan, Blue Dahlia Designs
Add your personality! The key to creating a home that feels lived in is filling it with colors, layers and meaningful pieces that tell your story. Choose paint colors that feel like you, hang artwork you genuinely love and display family heirlooms, collected treasures, books or photographs that hold a special memory. Don’t feel like everything has to be brand new or perfectly matched, the most inviting homes often feel collected over time. When you surround yourself with things you love and that have meaning, a new house quickly begins to feel like home.