Moving into a new home is so exciting. It’s a blank canvas, a chance to start afresh. A new place to make memories, and something to really make your own. Most of all, it’s a chance to live your life the way that you want, in a place that’s suitable for your needs. However, as exhilarating as it is having a new home, it can also take some adjustment. As the saying goes, ‘home is a feeling, not a place’ and so creating that same feeling in your new property can take a little doing. Thankfully, there are things you can do to help you settle in more quickly and start enjoying your new home. Here are some ideas!
Decorate
Decorating a home can be expensive, and for lots of people it’s an ongoing process which has to be done over time. However, if you’re in the position to have it all done in one go, it can be quicker and easier to do it when the place is empty. Before you move in you could have painters and decorators paint and wallpaper the walls, electricians fit your light fittings, and carpet fitters or cleaners come in and sort the floors out.
You could even have a new bathroom and kitchen fitted if that’s something you plan on doing. That way, you don’t have to mess around moving furniture and everything is new and fresh for when you move in. You don’t feel as though you’re living in someone else’s home with all of their old décor. Again, it’s not within everyone’s budget to do everything all at once, but if you are able to, it can make things easier and it’s more pleasant for you to move into.
Think about accessories
Accessories are what make your décor pop, and are what make any property look homely. They’re your own personal touches to a place, so it makes sense that if you want a place to feel like home then accessories are important. It doesn’t mean dragging everything you had at your old house to the new one, chances are you want to update things and buy some new items. And that’s fine, even new things can make your home feel like your own. The point is, you’ve picked them because you like them and they’re your style which can give you a familiar feeling.
Get the TV and internet set up
One of the most inconvenient things about moving house is being stuck without any TV or internet for a week or more while you wait to be connected. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but if you plan ahead you might be able to have it set up the day you move in. In some instances, these can be connected up remotely if you already have the sockets in place.
Oftentimes, an engineer will have to come out but if you let them know early enough you can time it right. With your TV and internet on from the start, you’ll quickly feel settled in and it will make it easier to get back into your routine.
Play around with room planners
Setting out the furniture in the best formation is always tricky when you first move into a new home. Perhaps you have existing furniture that you want to make fit, or you might be buying things from scratch. Before moving in, work out the dimensions of the room and measure the things you own or want to buy. 3D room planners can be effective ways to see how different layouts will look without the hassle of rearranging your furniture in real life. It lets you know if you have everything you need to get your rooms looking complete or what you still need to buy.
Once you know you’re moving and have the measurements it’s worth starting to accumulate these things and having them ready, especially if you’re ordering bespoke furniture as it can take many weeks to make. If things are ready before you move into your new property, you can always store it away using a company like Pink Self Storage until you have the keys.
Add fragrance
Smell has such a big impact on us as humans. The new place you move into might not smell bad necessarily (unless you need to get round to replacing or cleaning the carpets and other fixtures) but chances are it will be unfamiliar. Adding scented candles, reed diffusers and plug-in air fresheners in fragrances you enjoy and have chosen yourself can make it feel much more homely.
If you have particular scents that you use regularly in your old home then consider bringing these. If not, just choose ones that you already know you like. It’s better than having an unfamiliar odour which can be a little jarring and definitely gives you the feeling that you’re in someone else’s home. Cooking your favourite meal and washing your clothes with your usual detergent will also bring familiar smells to the new property once you start doing your normal daily tasks.
Get your address changed
Changing your address is one of the biggest hassles when you move. You need to inform your employer, schools, doctors and dentists, your bank, utility companies; you’ll also need to update your driving license, car documents and more. Once you have your moving date, most of these will let you change your address in advance, so it’s something that can be done ahead of time. It gives you less to do once you move in and can make the process run much more smoothly. Also, don’t forget to give your new contact details to friends and family too so they can update them in their address books.
The above tips should help you to settle into your new property much more quickly and start enjoying it from day one. A little planning and organisation goes a long way, so do all you can ahead of the big move to avoid unnecessary stress.
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