Home is where the heart is. When you first move into a new place, it just doesn’t feel like home. You’re busy unpacking your belongings and adjusting to a new place, neighborhood and schedule. Whether it’s a bigger house, condo or apartment, it will always take some time to adjust to new surroundings, especially because you won’t have any memories or emotional experiences associated with it. It’s important to honor the memories you made before you moved. It’s equally important to allow yourself and your family a fresh start in your new house. Only you know what truly makes your family feel warm, safe, and happy, but brainstorming on what those things are and then coming up with ways to incorporate them into your house is the first step toward nurturing a sense of home. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Hang Photos and Artwork
Skip over the pile of moving boxes that contain your everyday household items and focus on unpacking the belongings that will personalize the space. Hanging photos is one of the easiest ways to instantly warm up your new home. Even doing something as simple as placing your child’s finger-painted masterpieces on the fridge will bring a smile to your face. Research shows that simply looking at art can reduce stress and make you happy. Hanging artwork in your house helps instill your individual personality and will add visual interest and personality into the space. As you are unpacking your artwork, be careful not to place them in a pile. This can lead to scratches on frames or glass, and it is especially dangerous for unframed artwork on canvas.
Paint the walls
Painting can be a fun activity that involves the whole family. This will not only freshen up the rooms, but will also allow you to “set the tone” in your new home. Choose a color scheme that will bring warmth and cheer to the house and will help you relax. From selecting a color that reflects your aesthetic taste to preparing the walls, taping, edging, and rolling, there’s a task for everyone and your new place will feel truly yours.
Keep in mind that you can’t make your new place feel like home without the utilities running. You will want to have electricity, gas, and water in your new place from day one. So, make sure you contact your current and future service providers and transfer utilities in a timely manner – it’s recommendable to have the utilities in your old home disconnected the day after you move out and the ones in your new residence turned on the day before you move in. Internet, cable TV, and other not-so-important services should be connected a couple of days after the move, when most of the moving chaos will already be brought to order but you won’t have fully arranged and cleaned your new home yet.
Get some plants and flowers
Introducing greenery to the space fosters a sense of cheer and makes the atmosphere lively and welcoming. Plants and flowers are well-recognized for their ability to positively impact your mood and reduce stress, among other things. So adding plants to your new place is an easy way to instantly bring life and personality into it. Bring some large indoor plants in the living room, arrange herb pots by the kitchen window, place several planters on the porch (or the balcony), put fresh flowers in vases throughout the house, etc. Adding these little touches into the interior will make a huge impact on the overall appeal of the space.
Last but not least – invite family and friends over and have a fun housewarming party! A home is not a home without their love. Sharing your new home with them will give you a sense of pride and love for the new place. Invite your new neighbors and colleagues too and it will give you a chance to get to know them and possibly – make friends. Plus, you can always get them to help you unpack and organize! A house truly feels like a home when it’s full of laughter, when you can make new memories there, or start new relationships among its walls. The more you surround yourself with things that make you feel good, the more you’ll capture that feeling of home.
Elite Moving & Storage is in business since 2006, helping over 2,500 families each year with their moving needs. From full-service moving capabilities to storage options, Elite Moving & Storage can assist you with every aspect of your move. For more information on how we can assist you, contact us today!
