i’d imagine it’s the bun’s over-all comfort level with the people / other animals / regular noises / surroundings and so on, as well as their own personality that affects this.  for 7yrs baby bun had always had the option to roam outside her bedroom.  i remember once 5 years ago coming home to find paper strewn about the living room & i thought for a split second that i’d had a break-in.  then i saw her hippity hopping back to her room.  she would also venture into the hallway about 4 or 5 feet but aside from that… nothing!  until last november after she recovered from her surgery (had a cancerous mass removed that stuck out of her belly) and now she’s all over the place!  i’m sure part of it is that she feels much better but her sore hadn’t been there the whole 7yrs of course, so really i think it just took a lot of time & trust.

sometimes it takes more time.  also, keep in mind… not every bun is an "explorer bunny".  some are naturally more timid, while others are in your face from day one (Meadow was a bit more of the latter &nbsp

if he likes being around you, i would just keep doing what you’re doing.  maybe see if he’ll take an occasional treat from your hand.

My Mr. Chicken is like yours.  He just loves his area but it’s probably more like he feels safe there.  He just started venturing out of his xpen into the rest of the room during the last few days.  I’ve had him since November. He is very cautious and likes the sides of the room and under things.  If something spooks him he’ll beeline for his cage.  It’s pretty cute.  He stands up on his thumpers and looks around.  He really is getting braver and braver.  I tried to get him to come into the kitchen which is right across from his room, my office, but no way.  The edge of the doorway is far enough for him! I guess it’s better to have a little caution than be like Lullabelle, the devils spawn!

It’s definitely got a lot to do with personality. Monty was pretty timid when we first got him (sat on my lap and didn’t want to venture off; wouldn’t hop up and down off things), but he was also undernourished and pretty weak when we got him. Once he got stronger and his legs got better, he pretty quickly got very explorey; we can’t leave him alone now or he’s gone. >__< Humphrey was binkying and completely comfortable day one, and is even fine with car rides and being moved back and forth from home to school, however, he needs to have something dark to flop under or he won't get comfortable. I'm sure Gizmo just need more adjustment time– does he have somewhere other than his cage to "rest" under? Is his out-room bare-floored in in the middle or furnished– you say he keeps to the edges– is it because maybe there's nothing to hide under in the middle of the room? Good luck!

ya, the febreeze might smell icky to him. you might be able to sprinkle it with baking soda and then vacuum it up to remove the febreeze smell.

you might also think about making some hidey boxes for him in your living room. I usually try to find a longer not-so tall box (think shaped like a shoebox, but bigger) and cut several bunny sized holes in in. it’s great for bunny lounging and play.

you might also try to make a boredom buster box he might like to play in.  it’s easy to make and my bunnies really enjoyed it

https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/ToyTest/ArchivedToyTests/tabid/126/Default.aspx

I don’t know exactly what they’re called, but Home Depot (or and hardware store, I assume) has these like… hard cardboard (or maybe fiberboard) tubes that are super-cute bunny tunnels, and they’re not very expensive. Little things to hide in are always nice.