Make Your New House Feel Like Home

It’s often said that moving is one of the most stressful life experiences a person can go through. Even when it’s a “positive” move, the thrill and excitement of a new house can quickly be overshadowed by the emotional toll of packing up your belongings, uprooting your family, and saying goodbye to the place you’ve called home.

To help you adjust to your new surroundings the next time you move, try following a few of these simple steps.

Security:

A sense of security is one of the most important factors in feeling at “home.” While previous owners turn over their keys at closing, there’s no way to truly know if or when copies were given to family members, babysitters, neighbors, and others. Thankfully, this concern can be addressed almost immediately by scheduling a locksmith to change the locks the day of—or shortly after—closing. If applicable, it’s also beneficial to contact the alarm company soon after closing to reset account names, codes, and passwords.

Cleaning:

It probably comes as no surprise that one of our suggestions is to give your home a deep clean. After all, there’s no better feeling than walking into a clean home—especially when moving in for the first time. In addition to hiring a professional cleaning crew to help with the task, here are a few other low-cost changes that will make a big impact:

• Toilet Seats: Yes, toilet seats! A new toilet seat is an easy yet effective way to give your bathroom a fresh, clean start. Best of all, replacing a toilet seat is not only inexpensive, but it can also be done in just a few minutes—even if you’ve never done it before.
  

• Air Filters: Air filters should be changed every three months (sometimes sooner if you have pets), so go ahead and begin your filter-changing routine during your first week in your new home. While you’re at it, check the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  

• Paint: We’ve all seen how a fresh coat of paint can make a room feel brand new. When moving into your new home, keep in mind that it’s not just the walls that can benefit from paint. If your trim, baseboards, and doors still look dingy even after a good cleaning, consider giving them a fresh coat. You’ll be amazed at how much brighter and cleaner your home feels with this simple touch-up.

Lighting:

Lighting has a huge impact on the overall feel of a home. Installing new light fixtures, hanging or removing curtains, or simply changing out light bulbs are easy ways to adjust your home’s lighting to match the mood you want to create.

Personality:

Make it a priority to unpack and display a few of your favorite items soon after moving in. Adding personal touches can bring a sense of calm amid the chaos. Family photos, artwork, candles, pillows, and throws can quickly make a new space feel like home.

Community:

Take time to venture outside and get to know your new neighborhood and the people who share it with you. Feeling connected to your community can do wonders in helping you truly feel at home.