Getting Acclimated to a New House: Tips for Settling In

A house doesn’t just become a home overnight. Getting that cozy, lived-in feeling, means building memories there together as a family, which takes time. But you don’t have to wait six months or a couple years for your new house to finally feel like home. There’s ways you can speed up the process by giving it a personal touch—that could mean hanging your favorite family portrait over the fireplace, putting the kids’ artwork on display, or having family movie night every Saturday. Read on for more tips on how you can quickly become comfortable in a new house and expedite the settling-in process.

Your kids will take some time to get acclimated to the idea of moving, having to leave friends, their old school, and possibly the only home they’ve ever known behind. This is why you should start with their rooms. Unpack their favorite toys and belongings, and make sure the stuffed animals are arranged just the way they like them. Softening the emotional blow for your children is probably the best way to ease into the transition, so start “officially” settling in by arranging their rooms first.

Even the smallest habits can be considered part of a routine. If you always left your keys and wallet on the corner of the counter nearest to the back door, why break with tradition? Find places in the new home most similar to your old house where you can mimic the placement and organization of items. Doing so can evoke a sense of familiarity.

New homes often need some simple maintenance work. That could mean patching a hole in the wall, cleaning the gutters, checking for leaks, or replacing the HVAC filter. Tackling these small yet essential maintenance projects can not only help with making sure you’re comfortable in the new place, it can also help save you money in the long run. After all, it’s hard to feel well-adjusted in a new house when you’re distracted by everything that needs fixing.

No matter where you go, it’s never quite “home” until you’re surrounded by your favorite things. It could be a warm blanket, CDs and movies that have special meaning, photos of loved ones, or a piece of furniture that brings you comfort and joy. While you’re at it, make sure you set up the rooms in your home in a way that makes them a calming and soothing environment. For example, be selective in the paint colors you choose. Consider choosing one of these five colors that CountryLiving suggests will have a positive impact on your mood.

Everyone can identify a smell that has some powerfully nostalgic appeal, something that says “home.” It could be the smell of a scented candle or a cheeseburger cooking on the stovetop, made just the way you like it. Whatever smells like home to you, go ahead and fire it up—make it part of your new space.

While they’re busy unpacking and settling in, new homeowners tend to go the easy route when it comes to meals—and understandably so. However, taking a break to make a home-cooked meal can be beneficial. Instead of ordering pizza. fire up the stove and cook the family’s favorite dinner. There’s no better way to bond as a family than over a delicious meal, free of distractions.

Things are crazy for a while after you move in. In your old home, you were probably able to effortlessly locate the things you needed, knowing exactly where they would be out of habit. But it’ll take some time to get used to your new surroundings. To prevent things from feeling a bit too scattered, Houzz contributor Bud Dietrich suggests focusing on organizing the closets in your home. That way, your go-to belongings, like clothes and shoes, are easily accessible.

What makes a house a home is a highly personal matter. But by making a concerted effort to incorporate familiar elements and patterns to the new place can make the transition significantly easier. Before you know it, everyone will feel completely comfortable in the new home.

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Guest blogger Natalie Jones