Designers Agree: These Are the Features That Instantly Make a Home Feel Cold and Unwelcoming

While your home should be a place you love, it’s also important to create a space that’s warm and welcoming for your guests, too. Sometimes, this is easy to pin down, but often, it’s more of an overall feeling.

We recently connected with two design pros who shared what elements of a home sends an unwelcoming message.

A Tricky Entryway

If you’ve ever walked into a home with a cramped, cluttered, or awkward entryway, then you know this can affect the overall feel of the space. Professional designer Amanda Bell says this is especially true if you don’t offer your guests a moment of calm upon entering. 

“A thoughtful, uncluttered entry tells guests they’re meant to come in and stay awhile,” Bell says. “When those first few steps feel calm and designed rather than chaotic and cramped, the whole home feels more inviting.”

She suggests offering guests a place to land—something as simple as a spot for their bag and a place to hang their coat.

“A welcoming house starts with a simple landing spot that says ‘Come on in—we’ve been expecting you,’” says Bell. 

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Cool Colors

Cool grays and stark white color palettes might have their places, but home decor expert Kallie Thompson says it’s rarely in a warm, inviting home.

“Color has a huge impact,” she says. “I always lean toward warm tones or colors you’d find in nature.”

If you still prefer a more neutral palette, she just suggests veering away from anything too cool. 

“Choosing a white with warmer undertones makes all the difference,” says Thompson.

Harsh Lighting

A great lighting plan can truly make or break a space, as well as your guests’ comfort levels. 

“Overhead lights with a cold color temperature create a sterile feel instantly,” Bell says. “If a living room feels like an exam room, guests are naturally going to be on edge.”

Instead, consider swapping your bulbs for a warmer hue, adding dimmer switches, or investing in more lamps to create a more inviting ambiance.

TV Oriented Living Rooms

If your key gathering area is your living room, Thompson says it’s a mistake to design the entire space around the television.

“When every seat faces the screen, it doesn’t encourage conversation,” she says. “Try arranging your seating to face each other—it naturally shifts the energy.”

The same is true of fitting out your living room with anything that feels too precious. Thompson says there’s an inherent tension to feeling like things can’t be touched or sat on. You want your guests to be able to relax—give them a place to kick back.

Cramped, Confusing Layouts

Your home doesn’t need to be big, bright, and breezy, but a dark, cramped layout with a confusing or awkward floorplan can absolutely make guests feel uneasy.

“Closed-off floor plans where gathering spaces aren’t visually connected make hosts and guests feel separated,” Bell says.

While this can be a structural issue, it can also be caused by awkward furniture placement.

“Poor circulation paths force awkward detours, and it’s hard to feel at ease,” Bell adds.

Homes That Don’t Feel Lived In

If your home looks like it’s straight out of a magazine, your guests might compliment you on your design choices—but they probably don’t feel like they can relax.

“When everything is perfect or fragile a home loses its warmth,” says Bell. “The homes I love most are lived-in and personal.”

Thompson agrees, though this, of course, doesn’t have to mean messy or cluttered. It simply means using items and access pieces that create a more relaxed feel.

“Layering in soft textures and natural materials helps bring in a sense of ease and invites guests to get comfortable,” Thompson says.