How to Make Your New House Feel Like Home After a Move
Leave the chaos of relocating behind and start putting down roots with these 10 simple tips
Laura Gaskill
August 9, 2020
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
When you’re buying a new house, there are so many things on your plate that it’s easy to forget about what will happen after moving day — but those first weeks and months are often just as hectic as the move itself! When the movers have left and you finally have the place to yourself, it’s time to start making your house feel like home. Here are 10 ways to make that happen, sooner rather than later.
1. Create Calm in the Bedroom
Having one serene, put-together space where you can retreat at the end of the day is essential, especially during those first chaotic weeks in a new home. Make setting up the bedroom the No. 1 priority: Roll out the rug, make the bed, set up the nightstands and lamps, hang a mirror and put up some artwork. It may be tempting to jump from one task to another when there’s so much to do, but resist — it’s worth the effort to enjoy a restful bedroom.
See the 10 Most Popular Bedroom Photos of 2019 So Far
Having one serene, put-together space where you can retreat at the end of the day is essential, especially during those first chaotic weeks in a new home. Make setting up the bedroom the No. 1 priority: Roll out the rug, make the bed, set up the nightstands and lamps, hang a mirror and put up some artwork. It may be tempting to jump from one task to another when there’s so much to do, but resist — it’s worth the effort to enjoy a restful bedroom.
See the 10 Most Popular Bedroom Photos of 2019 So Far
2. Take the Time to Get Organized From the Start
Whether you opt to do it yourself or hire a professional organizer or closet designer to help you, taking the time to get a few key areas neat and tidy from the get-go will make life in your new home much more pleasant. Instead of putting things away in your new space as quickly as possible, slow down and think about how you would like your home to be organized, paying special attention to the closets, drawers and garage or storage shed.
Organized From the Start: 8 Smart Systems for Your New House
Whether you opt to do it yourself or hire a professional organizer or closet designer to help you, taking the time to get a few key areas neat and tidy from the get-go will make life in your new home much more pleasant. Instead of putting things away in your new space as quickly as possible, slow down and think about how you would like your home to be organized, paying special attention to the closets, drawers and garage or storage shed.
Organized From the Start: 8 Smart Systems for Your New House
3. Fill Your Shelves With Books
Shelves full of books make a house feel cozy and inviting — and if you’re a book lover, there’s nothing better than being able to sit down with a cup of tea and pull a favorite book off the shelf. As you’re unpacking your books, think about how you’d like them to be organized. Perhaps you’d like to sort your books into sections by topic, genre, mood or alphabetically? Whichever method you choose, don’t put off shelving those books: The sooner they’re on the shelves, the quicker you can sit down and read.
Browse bookcases in the Houzz Shop
Shelves full of books make a house feel cozy and inviting — and if you’re a book lover, there’s nothing better than being able to sit down with a cup of tea and pull a favorite book off the shelf. As you’re unpacking your books, think about how you’d like them to be organized. Perhaps you’d like to sort your books into sections by topic, genre, mood or alphabetically? Whichever method you choose, don’t put off shelving those books: The sooner they’re on the shelves, the quicker you can sit down and read.
Browse bookcases in the Houzz Shop
4. Host a Super-Casual Kitchen Dinner
It’s easy to put off cooking a real meal at home in a new space: Getting takeout is so much easier when you don’t know where anything is! But once you’re settled in a bit, getting in the kitchen to cook dinner is actually a great way to feel more at home in your new house. And if you invite a few close friends over to chat while you cook, all the better. Let it be simple and imperfect — and if it’s not all homemade, no big deal. The important thing is to get started. After all, you’re not just cooking, you’re laying down the first memories of good times in your new house.
It’s easy to put off cooking a real meal at home in a new space: Getting takeout is so much easier when you don’t know where anything is! But once you’re settled in a bit, getting in the kitchen to cook dinner is actually a great way to feel more at home in your new house. And if you invite a few close friends over to chat while you cook, all the better. Let it be simple and imperfect — and if it’s not all homemade, no big deal. The important thing is to get started. After all, you’re not just cooking, you’re laying down the first memories of good times in your new house.
5. Hang a Few Sturdy Hooks
Wall hooks are helpful in just about every room. They can hold coats and hats in the hall, aprons and market bags in the kitchen, towels in the bathroom and necklaces in the closet. If you’ve been trying to get settled into your new space but it still feels like a mess, wall hooks could be just what you need to make cleaning up a bit easier.
Shop for wall hooks
Wall hooks are helpful in just about every room. They can hold coats and hats in the hall, aprons and market bags in the kitchen, towels in the bathroom and necklaces in the closet. If you’ve been trying to get settled into your new space but it still feels like a mess, wall hooks could be just what you need to make cleaning up a bit easier.
Shop for wall hooks
6. Set Up the Entertainment Center
Getting the cable and internet turned on was probably one of the first things you did when moving into your new home — but is the TV set up just the way you want it? In the rush to get settled, it’s easy to overlook messy cords, awkwardly angled screens and inconvenient power outlets. Taking the time to remedy these little annoyances (hire a repair pro if needed) will make your movie nights and game days more enjoyable.
How High Should You Mount Your TV?
Getting the cable and internet turned on was probably one of the first things you did when moving into your new home — but is the TV set up just the way you want it? In the rush to get settled, it’s easy to overlook messy cords, awkwardly angled screens and inconvenient power outlets. Taking the time to remedy these little annoyances (hire a repair pro if needed) will make your movie nights and game days more enjoyable.
How High Should You Mount Your TV?
7. Display Family Photos
It’s hard to put the first holes into pristine walls — but putting up photos is one of the best ways to personalize your new space and make it feel like your own. If you’re feeling unsure about where you ultimately want your family photo wall to go, consider using removable picture hanging hooks or strips instead of a hammer and nails. No one will be able to tell the difference, and you won’t have to fill holes if you decide to move things around in a couple of months.
How to Design a Family Photo Wall
It’s hard to put the first holes into pristine walls — but putting up photos is one of the best ways to personalize your new space and make it feel like your own. If you’re feeling unsure about where you ultimately want your family photo wall to go, consider using removable picture hanging hooks or strips instead of a hammer and nails. No one will be able to tell the difference, and you won’t have to fill holes if you decide to move things around in a couple of months.
How to Design a Family Photo Wall
8. Clean the House From Top to Bottom
It seems as if a new (or new-to-you) house should be clean — but the truth is, the moving process creates a lot of dirt and grime. And if your home was just built or remodeled before you moved in, there may also be remodeling dust coating some surfaces. Giving your home a top-to-bottom cleaning is a great way to start fresh in your new space.
Find a local housecleaner on Houzz
It seems as if a new (or new-to-you) house should be clean — but the truth is, the moving process creates a lot of dirt and grime. And if your home was just built or remodeled before you moved in, there may also be remodeling dust coating some surfaces. Giving your home a top-to-bottom cleaning is a great way to start fresh in your new space.
Find a local housecleaner on Houzz
9. Bring in Houseplants
Houseplants quite literally bring a breath of fresh air into the home. And if you’ve moved a long distance, chances are you had to give up your old houseplants before the move. Take note of light conditions in each room, and bring these notes along when you go plant shopping. Be sure to get pots, a watering can and any other supplies needed to keep your new plant babies healthy and happy.
The Secret to Keeping Your Houseplants Happy and Healthy
Houseplants quite literally bring a breath of fresh air into the home. And if you’ve moved a long distance, chances are you had to give up your old houseplants before the move. Take note of light conditions in each room, and bring these notes along when you go plant shopping. Be sure to get pots, a watering can and any other supplies needed to keep your new plant babies healthy and happy.
The Secret to Keeping Your Houseplants Happy and Healthy
10. Hang Out on Your Front Porch
Part of feeling at home is being connected to your neighborhood. And one of the best ways to feel like a part of the neighborhood is by hanging out on your front porch. Set out a fresh doormat, clean up your porch furniture, grab a tall glass of something good to drink and set aside some time to just kick back and relax. Say hi or wave to neighbors passing by, let your kids play in the front yard, take your dog for a walk — let yourself be open to interaction. Before you know it, you’ll feel connected to your new home in a way that extends beyond its four walls.
Your turn: Have you moved into a new house recently? Share what has helped it feel more like home in the Comments.
More on Houzz
The Moving-Day Survival Kit: Lifesaving Items and Niceties
9 Ways to Calm New-Home Jitters
Find a moving professional
Shop for every room in your home
Part of feeling at home is being connected to your neighborhood. And one of the best ways to feel like a part of the neighborhood is by hanging out on your front porch. Set out a fresh doormat, clean up your porch furniture, grab a tall glass of something good to drink and set aside some time to just kick back and relax. Say hi or wave to neighbors passing by, let your kids play in the front yard, take your dog for a walk — let yourself be open to interaction. Before you know it, you’ll feel connected to your new home in a way that extends beyond its four walls.
Your turn: Have you moved into a new house recently? Share what has helped it feel more like home in the Comments.
More on Houzz
The Moving-Day Survival Kit: Lifesaving Items and Niceties
9 Ways to Calm New-Home Jitters
Find a moving professional
Shop for every room in your home
Our talented staff can plan and manage projects anywhere, of any size, from interior design and space planning to... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Our goal is to create high-quality housing in emerging neighborhoods while empowering the communities that we... Read More
Related Stories
Housekeeping
Choose Your Own Spring Cleaning Plan
Instead of trying to do it all, pick one of these six cleaning approaches that’s right for you now
Full Story
Bedrooms
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Bedroom
Take these steps to set up a calm and beautiful space that restores body, mind and spirit
Full Story
Decluttering
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Living Room
Make this a space you enjoy by paring back and filling it with things you love
Full Story
Life
10 Ideas to Make Every Day at Home a Little Better
By Jo Simmons
Consider some simple changes and fun tips for brightening your world
Full Story
Dining Rooms
How to Get a Joyful, Clutter-Free Dining Room
Some tidying tips — and a focus on what makes you happy — will help you get a handle on the dining-room drop zone
Full Story
Decluttering
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Bathroom
Streamline your bath and your bathing routine to create a place of renewal
Full Story
Kitchen Design
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Kitchen
Give yourself room to cook and relax by assessing how you use your counters, cabinets and corners
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Tips for Harmony in the Kitchen
Frustrated by the arguments that arise over kitchen duties? Check out these coping strategies
Full Story
Organizing
15 Simple Organizing Tools and Where They Work Best
You’ve created clutter-free zones at home. Now choose organizing products to help keep them that way
Full Story
Life
Simple Pleasures: The Joy of Fresh Sheets
Make your bed a place of comfort and relaxation with good-quality linens, ample pillows and other pleasing accoutrements
Full Story
What’s the blue color on the front door?
I agree organize from the start, it'll help ditch the over whelmed feeling during such a big change.
Please show me color coded pantries