This is a collaborative post.
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If you have recently gone through the process of purchasing a house, you will know just what a hassle it can be. There are many reasons you might have moved – it could be that you outgrew your last property, perhaps you have a job that is requiring you to relocate, or maybe you just fancied somewhere new. No matter the reason and no matter why you needed to move, once you are in it can all feel a bit strange.
While moving is fantastic and exciting, you are leaving the house that you made into your home and going to somewhere new that your Estate Agents has helped you find. This new place won’t have the same memories and sentimental value and until you’ve put your own mark on it, might not feel like a home at all. If you are struggling with getting it to really feel like your place, you’re not alone. This is why we have put together some top tips to make your house feel like a home in no time at all. Keep reading for our advice that is sure to help…
Start with a fresh lick of paint and redecorate
While you might like and appreciate the decor of the home that you have moved into, it might not feel like yours or how you would have done it. It could be something you appreciate but it always feels as though you are in someone else’s space. If this is the case, one of the first things that you should look into doing is giving the place a fresh lick of paint and redecorating. This isn’t too costly to do and you can buy paint in bulk which makes it cheaper. This will allow you to put your own unique stamp on the place. Once you have repainted each room it will feel fresh, new and really like it’s your own.
Add your accessories
Accessories and ornaments are things that also make a home a home, so be sure to add these when you can. If a house feels empty or bare then you can often feel as though you are anywhere as opposed to in your own home. You don’t want it to feel impersonal and dull, instead you want it to be somewhere that you instantly walk in the front door and know you feel at home.
There are many different accessories you can pop on the walls such as artwork or photos of you and your family. Little trinkets and knick knacks on shelves can make a big difference too. These are just some of the things that can really turn a house into a home.
Get to know your neighbours
As well as the physical house itself, making your house a home comes from those that are around you. If you are looking to achieve this, make an effort to speak with your neighbours and get to know them. This will make you feel safer, happier and will feel like more of a community. You never know, they might end up becoming some of your best friends! One of the easiest ways to get to know each other is to speak when you walk past outside, or to drop in with some cakes or something to introduce yourself.
Immerse yourself in the local area
If you have moved to a new area, it can feel like it isn’t “home” because you don’t know anything or where to go. By immersing yourself in the local area you can remove this obstacle and really embrace where you live. Take yourself on a wander of the local town, visiting places like local wine bars, cheese shops, boutiques and parks.
You could go alone or with friends and just find out more about the place that you are living in. You could scope out the local gym you might join or perhaps find a cinema. There are so many options and this can really make you love the area you are living in that little bit more.
Make the most of your garden
If you are moving to a house as opposed to an apartment or flat then chances are you will have a nice garden space to enjoy. Many people tend to neglect this but it’s important to really focus on making an outside space that you want to spend time in.
If you are not someone who is in any way green-fingered, you can hire a company to help you get rid of weeds and plant new plants for you. You could also get a landscaper in to help you plan what you can do with the space. If you are someone that enjoys gardening or is looking to give it a go, it can be a nice way to throw yourself into a project and make a house feel like a home. Doing a garden is hard work but so worth it once it is done!
Don’t be afraid to switch up the build
When you move, the home might have rooms in certain places that you just don’t like, or you could find you want to add more space. Changing around the build can be a fantastic way of making the house feel like yours and putting your mark on it. There are a host of things you can do, including making an extension, building a conservatory or adding a summer house to the garden. You could knock down walls to make a space bigger or you could move rooms around. These are all relatively simple to plan but so effective once they have been done!
Fill it with familiar smells
Smell is one of the most important senses and certain aromas can make a place feel like your own. All homes have their own unique smell and you want to do what you can to make it feel warm, cosy and comforting.
There are a host of ways that you can make a home feel like yours through scent. You could cook up some food that reminds you of being younger and living with your parents, or you could do some baking. You could also light candles or have reed diffusers that you love and make you feel happy once you smell them.
Utilise the kitchen
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home and this is why it’s so important to familiarise yourself with this space. One of the most bustling parts of the home, it is here that you will cook meals for yourself, friends and family and where you will entertain guests when they come round. Food is the way to a person’s heart and by getting to grips with the kitchen and filling the house with warm, beautiful smells of cooking you will soon feel like the place is truly your home.
Have friends and family round often
Friends and family are so important to help your home feel like yours, so make sure to invite them all round to see your house and create memories with you. You could throw board game evenings, have dinner parties or invite them over for BBQs in the summer months. You don’t need to worry about the house being perfect when they arrive – they will enjoy seeing it as a work in progress! The more memories you create with your loved ones, the quicker the house will feel more like yours and somewhere that you love to be.
Have realistic expectations
When you move into a house you probably have a host of expectations in your mind. You will want it to feel like a home instantly, but unfortunately this probably won’t happen right away. If you set unrealistic expectations you could just find yourself feeling disappointed and this will slow the process down. Instead, try to set yourself up with a realistic mindset that these things take time. This way you will be pleasantly surprised if it feels homey sooner than you thought but also won’t leave you feeling down about it.
These are just a few ways that you can make a house feel like a home in no time at all. It’s important to remember that a house is made from bricks and mortar and the important thing for you to do is to make it your own. It’s the memories and what you fill the house with that can totally change the way that it feels.
Make sure that you don’t have unrealistic expectations and that you realise getting it to feel like yours could take time. Once you have spent a year there and done all the occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases and more it should feel like yours naturally.
Have you recently moved into a new home and struggled to make it feel like yours? Or did you easily transition from your old property to your new one? What are some top tips that helped you along the way? Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.
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