Moving into a new place can feel really exciting. But also a little bit weird at the same time. You finally have the keys, your stuff is inside, and everything is technically done. Even so, the house might not quite feel like home just yet. That feeling is really common among new homeowners in Australia, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Your brain and body have just gone through a big change, so it will naturally take time to catch up.
Thankfully, this feeling doesn’t tend to last long. In fact, it can usually be eliminated by taking steps to make the property “your own”. Some good ways to do that are to personalise it with your own style and taste. It’s amazing how easily you can make a space feel more comfortable, familiar, and calm. Here are easy home décor ideas to get you started.
Why Can You Feel Unsettled After Moving to Your New Home?
Moving home is a massive upheaval because everything changes at once. You suddenly find yourself dealing with new rooms, new sounds, and new routines. Even if the move went smoothly, it still takes a lot of mental and physical energy to pack your possessions, transport them to your new place and then find new places for them.
That tired feeling can stick around for a while, especially if you coordinated the move yourself. That is why it is a good idea to indulge the idea of using a professional removalist company like Muval’s moving services to literally take the load off you both mentally and physically.
However, your old home held memories. You knew where things were, and you felt relaxed there without really thinking about it. Therefore, your new place won’t really feel like home until you recreate these feelings there.
Easy Home Décor Ideas to Make You Feel More Settled
A good way to do this is to decorate. That way, the new place will stop being something you bought from someone else and start to become your home.
Here are eight easy home décor ideas to help you do that.
1. Start With Soft Furnishings
Soft furnishings can make a house feel comfortable and inviting straight away. So, one of the first things you can do is to add cushions, blankets, and rugs to your spaces. Doing this will make rooms feel “finished” and stop spaces from feeling cold or echoey.
You don’t necessarily need expensive furnishings (although there is nothing wrong with them if you can afford them). Instead, if you are on a budget, simple rugs in neutral colours can work well. They are also easy to move later.
2. Improve Lighting
Lighting influences how a room feels more than most people actually realise. For instance, bright ceiling lights in some spaces can make them feel harsh or empty, especially at night. By contrast, adding table lamps in the lounge room or on the bedside table can help create a softer, calmer mood.
Generally speaking, warm light bulbs feel more relaxing and suit most homes. That said, floor lamps can be a great way to introduce new light, especially in darkened spaces or corners.
3. Add Personal Touches
Personal items are what turn a house into your home. Therefore, take the opportunity to dot your property with photos, artwork, books, and little keepsakes.
Even a few items can significantly change the mood of a room. Just remember, though, personalising your living space does not mean filling every shelf. Instead, choose things that tell a story or add personality, such as family photos, travel souvenirs, or favourite cookbooks.
4. Focus on One Room at a Time
The thought of having to decorate the whole house, especially so soon after a move, can feel quite overwhelming. But it is important to remember Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Instead, you’ll find it much more manageable to focus on one room at a time. It is a good idea to start with the room you spend the most time in, such as your bedroom or the living room, and then gradually work your way through your home.
By doing this, you will be able to make strategic changes without things getting on top of you. At the same time, you’ll enjoy the changes you’ve made much sooner.
5. Renter-Friendly Décor Ideas
If you are renting, you might be worried about damaging the place. After all, nobody wants to have their bond taken off them!
Thankfully, there are plenty of renter-friendly decorating ideas you can implement that still look great. These include using removable hooks, adhesive strips, and peel-and-stick décor, which let you hang art or photos without leaving marks.
Where you place your furniture can also affect how a room feels, as can adding rugs, plants, and floor-standing shelves. All of which you can pick up relatively inexpensively.
6. Style Your Kitchen and Dining Area
The kitchen is the heart of the home, as it is where daily life happens. So it is worth investing a little time and extra effort there. This doesn’t necessarily have to involve redoing the entire space. Instead, adding a few simple touches can work very well.
A bowl of fruit, wooden boards on the bench, or jars filled with pantry items make the kitchen feel lived in and loved. Likewise, in the dining area, a table runner or centrepiece can turn this space into one that has a real feel-good factor about it.
7. Add Plants and Natural Elements
Plants can make a space feel alive. They are also very effective at improving your home’s indoor air quality.
Even just placing one peace lily or aloe vera in a space can add extra vitality. At the same time, introducing natural materials such as wood, linen, and ceramic items can also help by adding warmth and texture.
The great thing about these materials is that they suit most styles of Australian homes.
8. Storage That Doubles as Décor
When you move home, you can often find that clutter builds up quite quickly, especially if your home is on the small side. That is why it is always good to introduce storage systems that not only look good but also help keep things organised.
Items like baskets are great for blankets, shoes, or other small items, while trays help to keep your benches or tables tidy.
