The first time you step into your new home is the end of a long and let’s face it, incredibly stressful journey. The sense of relief will be enormous, and there’ll (hopefully!) be a lot of excitement too. However, turning an unfamiliar house into a comfortable home typically takes some time and effort. Here are tips for making your new house feel like home right away:
Personalise the Walls With Photos and Artwork
One of the best ways to make the space your own is by decorating the walls with personal photos and artwork. Arrange framed photos of family vacations, friends, pets and other memories throughout the home. This adds a welcoming, personal touch to each room. Look for wall art and paintings that reflect your tastes and personality too. Feel free to paint or wallpaper one focal wall in a bold, favourite colour as well. Personalised walls warm up the home.
Update Light Fixtures And Hardware
Most new builds come with basic builder-grade light fixtures and hardware. Updating these with new lighting and hardware suited to your taste instantly makes the home feel more customised. Energy bills will still be a worry this year, so why not switch to eco-friendly LED light bulbs right away? Look for light fixtures with your preferred finishes and styles. Consider painting the interior doors or trims a fresh, modern hue. Replace basic doorknobs and hinges with ones that match your personality. Updating the mechanical details makes a difference.
Rearrange And Add Your Own Furniture
Furniture has a big impact on how homey a space feels. Rearrange the furniture you already own in fresh new ways to give the layout your unique touch. Turn the garage or spare room into a cosy reading nook by adding your favourite armchair and lamps. Use your antique rugs to warm up the floors. Bring in beloved kitchen items like that stand mixer passed down from grandma. Incorporate meaningful pieces you’ve collected over the years.
Set Up Your Home Office Space
To make working from home comfortable, set up a designated office area with your desk, computer, files, and supplies. Make it functional but also personalised, with family photos, artwork and accessories that inspire you. Properly setting up a work-from-home space helps maintain work/life balance and productivity. Bonus tip: invest in a quality office chair since you’ll spend considerable time sitting in it. Tech neck is no joke. Make sure you’re looking after your spine, neck, and shoulders!
Display Special Keepsakes And Collections
Carefully curated shelves showing off your travel souvenirs, book collection or other special keepsakes can make a house feel lived-in. For musicians, neatly display that guitar collection proudly. Frame and exhibit any collections you’ve gathered over the years, like stamps, records, or tea tins. Floating shelves are great for showcasing these personal items without taking up excessive space. Their presence sparks nostalgia.
Don’t Forget About Cleaning Your Sofas
Amid unpacking and setting up the new home, don’t forget about cleaning upholstered items like sofas, chairs and mattresses carried over from your old home. Hire professional cleaners to steam clean or shampoo fabric furniture to refresh them and keep your new place pristine. You likely did not have these cleaned before moving. Thoroughly cleaning soft furnishings eliminates odours, bacteria, and allergens the pieces may have picked up at the previous home. If you’re looking for professional sofa cleaning services, get in touch with the team at Carpet Cleaning Pros. They can handle your sofa needs, whether it’s leather or upholstery, and they use eco-friendly products too.
Designate Spaces for Your Hobbies
To feel truly at home, designate areas for your hobbies and interests, no matter how niche. Are you a crafter who needs an organised craft room? Make space for your sewing machine, fabrics, scissors, and other essentials. Avid reader? Create a quiet corner with a comfy chair and floor lamp just for reading. Pursuing a hobby that you enjoy in your new space makes it feel more like you.
Hang Interesting Wall Mirrors
An often-overlooked way to amplify personality in a home is through displayed mirrors. Think about unique wall mirrors with interesting shapes, frames, and sizes as focal points. Arrange different mirrors creatively on a gallery wall. Frameless mirrors also add a modern flare. Bold mirrors inject more life and character into rooms.
Plant A Small Garden
Nothing nurtures a sense of home like growing your own garden, and it’s great for your mental health too. Plant roses, hydrangeas, or other colourful blooms you love in the front or back garden. Herbs and vegetables can also be grown in pots on the patio. Caring for your garden, no matter how small, fosters pride and ownership of your personal outdoor space. Gardening also reduces stress.
Personalise With Favourite Scents And Candles
Introduce comforting scents that remind you of home, like baked goods, fruits, vanilla, pine and more. Display scented candles and essential oil diffusers wherever wanted. You can also scent drawer liners and hang wreaths or potpourri with familiar fragrances. Surrounding yourself with pleasant aromas you love makes the house more welcoming.
Add Touches Of Texture And Comfort
Texture and comfort transform sterile spaces into places of leisure and rejuvenation. Incorporate natural textures like wood, wicker, and linen. Throw down some plush rugs and hang soft draperies. The dining chairs can be padded too. Finally, place decorative throws and plenty of comfy pillows throughout the living areas. Texture and softness help everyone feel relaxed and at ease at home.
Making a new house into your home takes effort, but it’s worth it. Focus on adding personal touches that represent your style and story. Display meaningful keepsakes proudly and take time to make practical spaces comfortable. Soon, you’ll have a home tailored specially for you and your household.