How Lizzy Hadfield Adds Personality to Her Home in 6 Simple Steps

These easy tips will make your house feel like a home.

When we caught up with fashion blogger Lizzy Hadfield recently as part of The Makers, our ongoing home tour series, we instantly felt welcome and at ease in her character-filled terrace. Her sunny disposition (and constant cups of tea) added warmth to an otherwise chilly London day, but there was also a sense of cosy familiarity within her home that made it feel like a true sanctuary.

Each to their own, but we’ve all been to houses that feel a little too perfect – where you hesitate to sink into the sofa and the impeccable styling looks more like a showroom than a home. This isn’t the case for Lizzy’s Hackney terrace, which strikes a seamless balance of sophistication and lived-in charm. Looking to inject some depth and personality into your space? It’s easier than you think.

1. Incorporate sentimental keepsakes

Framed photographs are usually the go-to for adding a touch of sentimentality. There’s no doubt that having familiar faces gazing back at you each day is a comforting and heartfelt way to honour your loved ones. However, if there’s a part of your home where a photo doesn’t quite work, there are plenty of ways to get creative. For Lizzy, this meant framing a collage of memories and keepsakes from her late father, "A few years ago, I decided to put [the keepsakes] together in a collage and had it framed. I love having these found items that tell a story… It’s nice to have visual reminders of someone that aren’t necessarily photos," she says. These items don’t have to be monumental artefacts. In fact, among handwritten notes and old ticket stubs, Lizzy’s collage also includes a receipt from one of her dad’s regular visits to his favourite pub. Anything that stirs some nostalgia and connection is a beautiful homage.

Another creative way to ensure your inner world shines through in your home is via the art you display. Whether it’s a piece commissioned by a local artist depicting a person or place that you love, a photograph taken by you of a location with a special meaning, or a vintage print discovered on your travels that tells its own story, the pieces you choose should feel like an extension of you.

2. Create an eclectic bookshelf

There’s no better way to display your personal taste and interests than on a bookshelf. You can still style it in a way that suits your home’s aesthetic, whether that’s colour blocking or combining vertical and horizontal stacks, it’s the content of the shelves that tell a story. A blend of old favourites and recent titles that reflect your evolving taste is a sure-fire way to make a space feel personal, and spark conversation with visitors. As Lizzy says, "When I have people over, the bookshelf is always a great conversation starter. At parties, so many guests end up standing in front of it, saying, ‘Lizzy, have you read this book?’ or ‘Can I borrow this one?’" Among the titles, mix in personal objects like souvenirs and photos to further add depth and individuality to the display.

3. Add character with textures and layered details

It’s often the ‘imperfections’ that make a home feel truly inviting. Pieces certainly don’t need to be uniform to feel cohesive; combining materials like linen, cotton, and wool with furniture in rustic wood, wicker, and metal creates a rich, tactile space. Lizzy’s home is a testament to this principle: "There's something I really like about bringing together different textures, like different shades of wood, when everything doesn’t quite match. It’s a bit thrown together, but it works,” she says. Layering cushions, throws, and bedding in various tones and textures adds depth and homeliness, making a space feel effortlessly lived-in.

4. Embrace a relaxed, lived-In feel

Don’t get me wrong – I admire a chic, minimalist home as much as the next person. And for some, that’s their idea of comfort. But if a healthy dose of manageable chaos feels more like you, it’s better to embrace it rather than force an aesthetic that doesn’t quite fit. Lizzy is a connoisseur of cosy: "Lived in – that’s how I want my home to feel. Homes are meant to be relaxing. They're there to have great experiences in."

One of the easiest ways to create a relaxed, organic atmosphere is to prioritise comfort over perfection. Choose décor you genuinely love, even if it doesn’t match everything else. Keep frequently used items within easy reach rather than constantly tidying them away. A well-loved home should reflect the memories made within it – not just how it looks in a photograph. Life’s too short to feel stifled in your own space!

5. Foster a welcoming atmosphere for guests

"I just want people to feel safe and comfortable in my home.” If there’s one sentiment that sums up Lizzy’s philosophy for curating a home, this is it. “Friends are here all the time. It's a really social house. Often somebody is sitting working in the kitchen while I'm in another room reading and making endless cups of tea,” she says.

One of the ways Lizzy achieves this sense of warmth and welcome is by creating cosy communal spaces for gatherings. “The kitchen has a skylight, which is lovely in the summer. I like cooking—I’m not very good at it, but I cook a lot. It’s a great space when I’m hosting because I can stand and cook while people are in the same room,” she says.

Without crossing your own boundaries, it can help visitors feel at ease if you’re not too precious about house rules. Or, if you have non-negotiables, make them as effortless as possible for guests to follow. Have a few coasters in each room that you can slide over to people, or offer some comfy hotel-style slippers when friends arrive.

Lighting can be a game-changer for setting the mood and enhancing your guests' experience. Soft lighting, warm textiles, and plush seating create an inviting atmosphere, while natural light boosts energy and makes a space feel airy and open, especially in summer. “The outdoor area is great during the ten minutes a year of sunshine that we get in London,” Lizzy jokes. “No, I love it. In the summertime, the doors are open all the time. We'll eat out there in the evening, and when friends come over, I’ll drag the table out.”

6. Design a space that reflects your lifestyle

Sometimes, we have a vision of how our home will look, and which features we want to incorporate, only to realise that aesthetics don’t always suit the practicalities of everyday living. As Lizzy says, “When you look comfortable, you naturally look more chic, and it’s the same with a home – when it’s practical, it reflects who you are and makes sense for the way you live in it." If you’re moving into a new place, try settling into the space for a few months and noticing the rhythms you fall into and how you use the rooms before committing to expensive design choices or furniture. If you’re already in your home, think about how the furniture and layout could be tweaked to support your daily routines.

“When I’m deciding how to design a space in the home, it’s always been based on how I live practically. Whenever I try to resist that, the room doesn't work,” says Lizzy. “For example, I have a habit of walking in the house, dropping my things on the table, then going into the kitchen. So the table ends up being a dumping ground for stuff. I've got no self-discipline, I can't change that, so how can I make that space work for how I’m actually using it? It needs to be based on your actual needs and how you’ll use it.” Essentially, let your home evolve with you rather than sticking to rigid design rules.