Moving house is the ultimate example of a bittersweet experience. There is excitement, for sure, if you’re moving into a house you really like — but it is overwhelming at the best of times. The period between deciding to move and feeling at home in your new surroundings is usually not all that long, but it feels like it will take forever when you’re among it. Turning it into a home is about more than just an aesthetic feel; it has to do with creating a space that reflects you as a person, meets your needs, and where you can feel comfortable. To minimise that delay, here are 5 effective steps.
By Team Savant
Image: Rachel Coyne
Adding Personal Touches
When you’re feeling a little like a stranger in your new home, it’s usually because the things that made your old place feel like home aren’t yet there. It’s not necessarily about replacing things like-for-like in the new home — it’s about stamping your personality and individuality on the new place. Framed photos are usually a good idea, as are cherished souvenirs that commemorate special moments — whether that be a college graduation or a holiday you really enjoyed. Even “silly” keepsakes can work a little magic: a printout of a meme you found amusing can imbue the place with your humor, which is more important than people realize.
Choosing Colours and Patterns
You may feel like going bold will most effectively reflect your personality and what you want to bring to the new place, but be cautious. Bright colors can be overwhelming and you’re looking for the smoothest possible transition. Keeping most walls muted - but still in a color profile you enjoy - can be the smart move, with an accent wall to showcase the brighter color you really want. It’s also a good idea to add rugs, throws and pick out curtains that feel pleasant to be around, giving texture and patterned style to the rooms you will be living in.
Functional, Comfortable Furniture
A new home can become too new if you try to make it look like a show home with clean lines and arty accents. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of art deco, for sure, but the furniture in a new home should feel cosy and welcoming. No-one’s saying you have to bring your old couch with you if you feel like a change, but plush is probably going to be a better idea than something out of the pages of a home magazine. Any conversation with a letting agent should cover whether or not you can bring your own furniture in; being able to make this choice can make such a difference.
Soft Lighting For the Right Ambiance
Softer lighting plays a key part in making a new house feel like home. There are two principal reasons for this. One is that it is just innately cosier, making the space feel less oppressive and bathing everything in an off-white color that showcases the home in a pleasant way. Another reason is a more human one altogether; soft light is less likely to cause visual stress that can affect the quality of your sleep - and settling into a new home is much easier when you’ve slept well.
Incorporating Scent and Sound
There is no doubt that smell has an impact on how we feel about a place. Sense memory is such a big contributor to personal comfort. Scented candles and essential oil diffusers can provide a relaxing aroma within the home that just makes it feel more yours. There’s a reason realtors like to create the smell of fresh-baked cookies in a house they are trying to sell. Sound is important too - you will spend less time thinking about the newness of the place and second-guessing your decision if you set up a smart speaker to play your favorite music and podcasts as you pep the place up or carry out chores.
There is no escaping the fact that a new home comes with a settling-in period, and it’s something we have to experience any time we move. You can shorten that period, and make it feel less oppressive, by making some decisions on how you decorate, furnish and accent the rooms — especially the living areas — and before very long, you will be living in a new house that feels properly like a home, and making memories that sit alongside the ones you have made before. Take a move as the chance to build something special, and you’ll reap the rewards in the months and years to come.