9 Easy Ways to Make a New House Feel Like Home

Adjusting to a new house can be tricky. Right after moving, most of your belongings are still boxed up, you’re not familiar with the different layout, and it may feel like you’re going to eat takeout on paper plates forever. But all these changes don’t have to be overwhelming, especially if you have a few smart homemaking tricks up your sleeve. 

From unpacking right away to decorating soon after, these are some of the best ways to make your new house feel like a home in record time. 

1. Unpack as Soon as Possible 

Leaving packed boxes and bags around your new home will make your current situation feel transitory rather than permanent. And it can be hard to feel safe enough to put down roots if you’re never truly grounded to where you live. 

Unpacking your moving boxes right away will give you the sense of security that only comes from knowing that you’re here to stay. This step is worth doing, even if you are only planning on staying somewhere short-term.

2. Don’t Wait to Put Up Decorations

Once you unpack everything, decorate your home as soon as you have a moment to do so. Even though decor may not seem like a high-priority item when you still have pots and pans to sort through, it’s actually essential for creating a homey environment. 

Seeing your most prized possessions already at home throughout your new space will make you feel at home, too. Plus, you’ll feel more at ease with familiar objects all around you. 

If you don’t have the energy to deck out every room, at least putting up a few family photos or favorite pieces of artwork is a great start.

3. Fill the Space with Familiar Aromas

Speaking of familiar objects, filling your new home with your favorite scent will immediately make it feel homier. Whether you have an air spray that you keep in your bag at all times or a designer collection of candles you can’t wait to unpack, now is the time to whip them out.

4. Add to Your Plant Collection

Bringing plant life into your new home is the fastest way to fill it with fresh life. If you don’t already have an indoor plant collection, consider taking this opportunity to start building one. When you’re inevitably running errands to get supplies for your new home, add a plant or two to your cart. 

Not only will these plants help your home’s appearance, but watering them every day can give you a sense of routine as you get your new home in order. 

5. Start a Garden 

This home-making trick is possible even if you don’t have a very large (or any) outdoor space. Those with outside square footage should tend to their lot within the first week. Pull out weeds, turn the soil, and rake away any leaves or debris. Just seeing it in better condition will start to make it feel more like yours. While you’re at it, put a birdfeeder out to let the local fowl know that you’re in town. 

If you have a small outdoor area, like a deck or balcony, do a bit of sweeping and dusting to clear it out. Then, research creative ways to take advantage of the space. Only have a windowsill? Consider starting a small herb garden, and look into LED-powered, self-watering growing kits to make the process as easy as it can be. 

6. Cook Your Favorite Meal

Cooking your favorite dish is another great way of filling your home with familiar aromas, but it’ll also help you acclimate yourself to your new kitchen setup. You’ll learn a bit about what to expect from the stove range and oven and get a chance to unpack the tools you use most often. Plus, there’s nothing more comforting than whipping up—and enjoying—your favorite spaghetti and meatballs. 

7. Recreate Your Usual Routine

Returning to your normal routine will help your new home feel like more of a permanent stay than a hotel. Your body will understand that it’s not on vacation when you start to do the kind of tasks you only normally do at home, whether that’s eating breakfast at the dining table every morning or enjoying a regularly scheduled (and highly deserved) Friday night bath. 

8. Paint the Walls

If you’re struggling to make your new house feel like yours, adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls will instantly infuse it with your personality. Set up a weekend to complete this project with your family to start creating meaningful memories from the jump. 

9. Start a Growth Chart for Your Kids

This one is a great project to do in a new home if you have kids because it puts your stamp on the property. That chart will be there growing right with your children until the moment you move once more.