4 Essentials to Make Your New House Feel Like Home

A new house doesn’t become a home on its own – you have to make it a home. It’s never easy changing neighborhoods, bed positions, toilet orientation etc. (especially in the morning when you’re still half asleep and don’t know where your toothbrush is), but the more you invest in adapting, the better you will feel at your new place. Here are some tips to start with, but don’t forget that making  a home out of a living place is not just a one-time thing, but a process that takes time and lots of getting used to.

Make sure everything works

First of all, you can’t start calling home a place where nothing works for you. If you haven’t checked the electricity, the heating, and the plumbing before you’ve bought or rented a house, now would be a perfect time to do so. Always check the plumbing first, because this can be the biggest issue if not fixed on time. Afterwards, see how the heating works (don’t wait for winter to find out that you’re freezing). Doors and locks are also an important issue, because you want to feel safe and sound in your home. Windows can make hollow noises if they are not of good quality, and they can also let the unnecessary cold in, so see whether they need repairing, too.

(Re)create your favorite places

You always get the “home sweet home” feeling as soon as you experience your home visually and olfactory. So, make sure that you fill your new home with important pieces of furniture from your previous one, but don’t make it look exactly the same, because then those nostalgia blues will never go away. Instead, arrange some of your favorite pieces in a different manner and you will see how the room transforms into a familiar and cozy space. Put your favorite chair in the new living room next to a brand new TV set, desk or coffee table. You can also find quality antique rugs that collectors gathered from various parts of the world so that if you are moving far from home, you can find rugs with motives from your cultural background to remind you of home every day. 

Bring up some pictures

Not just any piece of art will do, but the one that you value most, and that is of sentimental value. Art can be anything you wish, especially pictures with your friends and family. You can even make a wallpaper out of the numerous pictures you have, both old and new. If you have some pictures only in digital format, this would be a great reason to make hard copies from them. Each time you look at this monumental memory, you will be reminded of the persons that you shared precious moments with and you will be instantly transported into those places that are now far from you. Be careful not to exaggerate, because nostalgia can catch you easily.

Enjoy your in the new kitchen

Now that you’ve finished unpacking everything, after a long moving day it’s time to order a pizza. No, wrong – you want to prepare a meal in your new kitchen! Actively discovering your new space and getting used to it means using it as much as possible, at least for the first couple of months. If you are ignoring this call you might still be negating the fact that you have moved, and this is a step backwards instead of stepping confidently into your new life. Take matters into your own hands and cook that first meal on your own. It doesn’t matter if your former kitchen was longer, wider or brighter, because you will have to learn to manage in these new conditions, and learn to love them, as well.

However, try not to change too much of your daily routine. You have made enough changes already by moving. Take one step at a time, because this process can last for as long as you need. Once it is finished, you will be able to enjoy every corner of your new home.

 Guest Contributor, Chloe Taylor