The first few weeks and months in a new house can feel a little stressful and chaotic.
In the UK, almost a third of house moves take place over the summer with August being the most popular month of all. This means that for many people, the autumn is a key time for settling into their new property and making it feel like their home.
If you’ve recently got the keys to a house or apartment, you’re probably still getting to grips with unpacking your boxes and putting your own stamp on the place.
Here are Andrew Porter Ltd’s top tips for quickly feeling at home in your new house:
One of the first things you probably noticed about your new property is that it didn’t have quite the same aroma as your previous home. Although it is often considered the least important of the senses, smell actually triggers memories and plays a vital role in our mood and emotions. Think about the things that made your old property smell safe and familiar and try and replicate it in your new place. This could be as simple as using the same air freshener or burning some scented candles. For others, cooking a favourite meal or using their usual brand of washing detergent may have the same effect. Once your property smells like home, you will feel happier and more settled there.
No one expects you to finish all the unpacking right away but it is worth making a real effort in those first few weeks to tackle those boxes containing the things that matter to you and your daily routine. Unpack the items which made your previous property feel like yours – this could mean getting out the ticking clock you were used to listening to or hanging your favourite pictures on the walls. Just getting a few personal pieces in place will help get rid of that feeling that you’re staying in someone else’s home.
Try to avoid areas of your home becoming a dumping ground for things you haven’t managed to sort out yet. Put shelving or cupboards in spaces where you might be tempted to hide away your stuff. This could be the cupboard under your stairs, your attic, a cellar or the garage. If you get things put away in a tidy and organised way, it will help you feel settled more quickly. Set yourself a realistic deadline to unpack all your boxes. If you still haven’t got round to needing or wanting the items in a box after a year, then you probably don’t need them and can throw or give them away.
If you are able to, decorate the rooms that don’t fit in with your personal style as soon as possible. Choosing a colour scheme and putting your own spin on your home will help it feel like it is yours. It is also a lot easier to paint walls and lay carpet or flooring before everything is unpacked.
When you’re leaving a property you have lived in for a while, it is often the thought of walking away from the memories we associate with the place that makes us feel sad. Set about making new, positive memories in your new home. This could mean throwing a housewarming party or simply inviting your favourite people round for a meal or a movie night. Celebrating an occasion will also help you feel settled in your new place. Follow the same traditions for birthdays, Halloween, Christmas and other important dates in the calendar and find a way to incorporate them into your new home.
