Moving into a house is exciting. At the same time, it takes a lot of effort to get to that point and, once you’re in, there’s still more to do to feel comfortable.
Luckily, most of that work can be fun. Here are seven ways to make a new house feel like home.
Unpack everything
This may sound difficult, but get the hard stuff out of the way first. Spend a day or a weekend, and put everything away. The tricky part is nothing belongs anywhere, which means boxes sit for ages and things get messy. Don’t let indecision paralyze you. If you can’t think of where to put an item, just pick a place and move on. Reorganization is always allowed, and it's wonderful to have everything in its place, a place for everything.
Paint
One of life’s truisms is, no matter how gorgeous someone makes a house, the next person who lives there won’t like the paint colors. The great thing is it’s an easy fix. Maybe you know what colors you want to use, or maybe you want to hold up some swatches to the wall. Either way, a fresh coat of paint will help you make your mark.
Hang photographs
Home is the people and animals you love. Hang pictures, so you’ll see their faces when you walk through the door, as well as throughout the other rooms. Don’t think you have to just slap a picture in a frame and stick it on the wall — while there’s nothing wrong with a classic, consider other ways to make your favorite photos a part of your decor, such as with hangers or clothespins. You’re limited only by your imagination (and the imaginations of the online do-it-yourself community).
Decorate the living room
Even if beautifying the entire house will take a while, choose the room where you and your family will spend the most time, and spruce up the space the way you want it. That could mean using decorations you already have, starting over or mixing old and new. No matter if you are going for luxury or affordable style, make your living room a place you and your family feel at home.
Plant flowers
Whether your new yard is practically perfect, in need of a total overhaul or nonexistent, you can give it a personal touch. Planters are a cinch to add to a fence or porch and easy to move in the future, if you re-plan the outdoor area. Don’t worry if you don’t like the typical planter look; go for other options you can make or buy. Then, plant some colorful flowers, or do double duty by planting vegetables to harvest later.
Invite outside, inside
Bring some of those planters, or other plants from your garden, inside to liven up the place. If you don’t have anything in your garden to add, visit a local greenhouse to find one or two pretty flowers. There are many ways plants can freshen your space and make it a continuation of the local landscape.
Host a housewarming
Get to know the neighbors sooner rather than later, so years don’t go by before you learn their names. Plan something fancy or simple, and remember most people are happy to bring a drink or snack to share. Even if you feel your house isn’t ready for guests, make sure it’s clean (especially the bathroom!), so you can offer tours. Then pour some drinks and play some games that will help you learn about the neighborhood and the people.
If you're just starting your search for a home, save yourself a lot of stress and money by discussing your options with a professional from the Trumm Team, who can help you find a place you love and get you the best deal.
