When you move into a new home, you have a blank canvas in front of you. If you’ve moved long-distance, this can be especially overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be.
Making your house feel like a home is an important step of the moving process but doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. You don’t need to be an interior design expert or have a huge budget to create a welcoming and inviting space. Creating an environment that matches your personality and incorporates things that make you feel at home can make you happy, relaxed, and satisfied.
What Makes a House a Home?
Elements that make a house a home are different for everybody. The feeling of home can come from decorating and organizing, making sure every item has a place.
It can also come from intangible elements. Making new memories with friends and family in your space can create a welcoming environment for years to come.
Turning your new space into a home can be easy with a few tweaks and added elements. Here are 10 tips and tricks to improve your space. .
1. Personalize Your Living Space
Your home is a reflection of your personality, so make it your own! Personalizing your living space creates a happy, comfortable, and relaxed environment.
Decorating and making your house a home can be budget friendly with simple touches. Family photos, flowers, plants, and shelves filled with your favorite knick-knacks can liven up your space.
Dress up empty walls with art, posters, or pictures that you love. You know your style, so only decorate with what feels natural to you. Whether you’re a minimalist or like stuff everywhere, small touches can make a big difference in your home decorating.
2. Brighten Up Your Space
Colors can have an impact on the look and feel of your home. Soft, cool tones create a calming oasis. Vibrant colors show off your personality and bring interest to a room.
Use color to reflect your personality and create a space that makes you happy. While renters may not be able to paint their walls, bright throw pillows or a fun rug can bring color to any home.
Natural light also helps brighten up your home. Pull back your curtains and let the light shine in. Brighten up your space in a way that works best for you.
3. Make Your Home Feel Functional
Colors and decorations are important to making your home feel like a reflection of your personality. But organization and functionality can help make your home really feel like your own.
When items in your home have a place and a purpose, it’s easier to see everything you have and find things when in a hurry. Even simple things like arranging your utensils in a drawer organizer can make a big difference.
If you use the blender and toaster every day, leave them on your counter so you’re not reaching to get it off the shelf each morning. Fill glass jars with items you use the most so you can find exactly what you need.
Decluttering and organizing your home can make a big difference in creating a functional and comfortable space.
4. Make Your Bedroom Your Sanctuary
There’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed. While decorating family spaces of the home like the kitchen and living room are usually top of mind, your bedroom should be high on the list. Don’t overlook the importance of focusing on your bedroom when moving into your new home.
A warm, comfortable, relaxing oasis to recharge and rest is important to make your house feel like a home. Decorate with your favorite color, keep your bed made, and add items that make you happy.
Add functional items like chairs, dressers, and nightstands that fit and make sense for your space. Small touches like a soft rug or flowing curtains can make your bedroom feel like a sanctuary.
5. Invest in Family Spaces
The heart of the home is the kitchen and living room, and what truly makes it your home and not just a house. Investing in spaces where friends and family will gather will help create memories for years to come.
A large, comfortable couch and a big TV create the perfect spot to watch movies, play games, and gather. Throw blankets, pillows, and cushions allow people to lounge around and hang out.
Stools around the kitchen island or chairs around the table allow guests to join you in the kitchen before, during, and after a meal. Spending time in your kitchen and gathering spaces create a welcoming atmosphere.
6. Have a Place for Just You
Gathering spaces are essential in creating a home and welcoming atmosphere. But it’s also important to have spaces that are just for you. Besides your bedroom, having an area to escape to makes your home feel like your own.
Possibilities include a home gym, study area, library, or even a place to listen to music or watch TV. These areas don’t have to be entire rooms but can be a simple bookshelf in the corner of the living room, or a special chair.
7. Light Some Candles
Scents are powerful for mindfulness. Filling your home with your favorite scents can bring back memories and make your house feel like home.
Use candles, reed diffusers, or wall plug-ins to create a pleasant, but not overwhelming scent that works for you. Fresh-baked cookies, pine trees, light citrus or floral blossoms are all scents that can make your house feel like a home.
8. Keep Your Home Clean and Welcoming for Guests
Even if you don’t have guests over often, a clean home gives you something to take pride in. It also helps you stay prepared in case you ever have unexpected visitors!
Keeping a clean home can reduce stress and increase happiness, helping ease the stress of moving. Clutter can also make it hard to focus on other tasks around your house.
A clean home not only creates a welcoming environment for guests, but also with your happiness and comfort.
9. Consider Getting a Pet
A new home – especially a larger one may be the perfect time to introduce a new pet to your family. This can make the transition easier for children if they changed schools or moved away from friends.
According to the CDC, pets provide a feeling of companionship that can help promote a happy home. Pets also increase opportunities to stay active outside. Getting outside with your pet is the perfect excuse to explore your new town or city! If you’re ready to include pets in the memories you’ll make in your new home, check out our guide on moving with pets.
10. Plan to Make Memories in Your New Home
Organizing, decorating, and putting your own personal touches on elements of your house make it a home. But the biggest thing that will truly make your space feel like home are the memories to come.
After your move, invite family and friends over to celebrate and make gatherings a regular occurrence. Movie nights, game nights, book clubs, bonfires, and potlucks. The possibilities are endless.
If you recently moved with a baby chances are high that your new house will be home to countless memories over the years. Whether single, married, or moving with your family, your home will be filled with moments that are special to you.
Bonus Budget Tips for Making A House A Home
Are you still thinking, “How do I make this place a home?” While it’s a process that takes time, it doesn’t have to break the bank. New pieces of furniture, decorations, and a fresh coat of paint in every room can add up. A full remodel of your space is not your only option.
Rearranging your furniture or adding a new rug or throw pillows can make a big difference. Making use of any art, photos, or signs you have can liven up your walls. Displaying glasses, cookware, and other supplies can also add some flair to your kitchen.
Small, inexpensive touches around your home can provide the perfect touch for your space.
