Stephs Cheers and Jeers received an editorial fee for posting this article
A lot of people think that new is bigger and better, but to me, a new home can feel scary and intimidating at first. There is so much to do and you are not familiar with its creaks in the middle of the night, or the bugs that crawl around the corners – it can definitely be hard to adjust to because of these things, but there is a way to make it feel more like home when you first move in.
Here are my best tips:
Create an updated home
It’s likely that the previous homeowner made some updates that were new to them, but you might not be a huge fan. Maybe you want to replace the floors, freshen up the paint, or takedown popcorn ceilings. You could even do a huge improvement – like fixing up the kitchen by replacing countertops and backsplash, or painting cabinets. If you have the time, the budget, and the patience, I recommend doing this before moving in. It is much easier that way!
Start fresh with a deep clean
Hiring a house cleaner before you move in could be one of the best decisions you will make. If you did renovations before moving in, there will definitely be some kind of dust that will be hard to clean up. If you did not do renovations, just think about how nice it will be to start fresh and not have to worry about dust on the blinds, dirt on the baseboards, or other feet on the shower floor. Do yourself a favor by hiring a one-time deep cleaning of your new home before moving in. You’ll definitely thank me!
Consider pest control
For me, this is huge. I am not a fan of bugs and I do not want to know what a new home brings (when it comes to bugs). You never know if the tenant or homeowner before you sprayed for bugs or hired a service to do so, which is why I always recommend getting a pest control service to come out and inspect + before you move in. Have them check out the attic too because you never know what might be hiding up there and you do not want to wake up in the middle of the night because there are mice or rats running around above your heads. One thing that I do recommend, though? Consider a non-toxic pest control (after the initial inspection), such as Wondercide, or even dichotomous earth. Your health + the environment will thank you! Moving into a new home pest-free will make you feel a lot better, trust me!
Tell your moving company where to place items
If you are using movers, don’t be afraid to tell them where to place items so that you have to do less + your house feels more like you pictured it from the first minute you walk in the door. Most reputable movers will do this for you, but you want to make sure they have great reviews so that you get great service. There are some New Jersey local movers, Bluebell Relocation Service that sets the bar high for other movers around the area. They aim to give their customers a stress-free experience that will keep them coming back and using their services for years to come. Plus, word-of-mouth reviews are always the best and they know that!
Improve organization as you unpack
“Women who described their homes as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects” were more depressed, fatigued, and had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than women who felt their homes were “restful” and “restorative,” according to a recent study.
It’s no wonder: when you come home to piles of things or a list of to-dos, it may prevent the natural decline in cortisol that occurs over the course of the day, researchers say. This, in turn, can take a toll on your mood, sleep, health, and more. Taking the time to tackle those piles of laundry, sort through stacks of papers, and spruce up your space won’t just clear away the physical stuff, it’ll actually help you feel happier and more relaxed. Now, who needs a bubble bath. We want to make sure that you feel great after you move in, so before you officially move in all of your things, do a run-through of the house and see what you need to make sure that you will be able to get organized immediately after unpacking everything.
Think about safety
Who wants to move into a home and not feel safe? Not me! There are many different ways that you can help improve the safety of your homes such as purchasing a security system, installing indoor, outdoor, and even doorbell cameras, and having a guard dog and watchful neighbors.
Sentimental pieces
Even if you are not 100% moved in yet, I highly recommend packing a box of memorable items and unpacking it first. Pictures from trips, books that are meaningful, or even something as simple as your favorite candle, or favorite vase will help you feel more at home in your new place.
Have fun
When it comes down to it, creating a new home for yourself should be fun! If you have the ability to start fresh and get new furniture and new appliances, go for it. While making a house a home can seem very overwhelming at first, it can also be a lot of fun and I think you are in for a treat! Let yourself have fun, decorate, and really make this place your own.
Do you have any other tips for making a house a home? I’d love to hear them!