According to a poll, more than half of Americans nationwide find moving more stressful than planning for a wedding. In a perfect world, you could move into a ready-made abode so you could put your feet up and enjoy the fruits of your labor — but this is far from reality. With that in mind, it’s important that you prioritize your projects so that your house can feel like a home as soon as possible. Here’s how to get started.
Make Old Furniture Work
Hopefully, you measured your new space before bringing in any new furniture to ensure you don’t have any space issues. Next, when moving pieces in, it’s important to disassociate them from what they looked like — and where they were located — in your previous home. Don’t be afraid to mix up styles and accessorize with any new items. Lastly, if you find there is anything that you no longer love, get rid of it, as your living space should only bring you pleasure.
Turn Your Kitchen Into a Gathering Place
The kitchen is often the heart of the home, as it’s a place where couples and families prepare meals together and make memories around the table. And since eating is a part of daily life, don’t waste any time turning your kitchen into a functional gathering place. If your kitchen is closed, consider taking down a wall to open it up to the living room. Make sure your table and chairs are comfortable so that they are conducive to a long meal. Consider adding an entertainment system for music or hosting an occasional dinner and a movie soiree.
Create a Relaxing Backyard Environment
The backyard can turn into a green version of your family room if designed correctly. One beautiful landscaping project involves creating some privacy by planting a living fence made of trees and shrubs with staying power, such as evergreens. If you don’t already have one, install a deck or patio where you can host gatherings or simply read the paper in the morning. To maximize the amount of time you can spend outdoors, install some solar lighting within your landscaping and patio so you can enjoy an evening barbecue with ambiance.
Make Your Bedroom A Peaceful Retreat
Whether it’s stress or schedule, the majority of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep, so put a little effort into making your bedroom a peaceful retreat. From the bed to the mattress to the dresser and nightstand, each piece should be chosen with serenity, comfort, and functionality in mind. Paint the walls in a soothing hue and install a dimmer switch so you have multiple lighting options — bright for reading, dim for meditating, etc. Blackout shades are also a good investment, as they keep out any distracting artificial and natural light. Just make sure you have a trustworthy alarm clock, as sometimes they work too well. Keep this area free from clutter as it only triggers feelings of stress, and if you’ve got it in you, don’t put a television in this room.
Simplify Your Belongings
Less is more, and while you should have purged before moving, there’s no harm in doing a second sweep once you’re in your new home. Some tips for simplifying include making sure everything has a place within your home, not having more than one of the same items, tossing anything you never use, and decluttering on a regular basis.
There’s nothing wrong with conducting a ritual or two to promote good energy within your new home. For example, buying a new broom is symbolic of ushering in a new start. Purchasing bread, salt, and honey for your kitchen represent abundance, good luck, the sweet parts of life. Even simply opening the doors, windows, closets, and drawers can circulate energy while bringing in fresh air and sunshine.
Author
Suzie Wilson is an interior designer with more than 20 years of experience. What started as a hobby (and often, a favor to friends) turned into a passion for creating soothing spaces in homes of every size and style. While her goal always includes making homes look beautiful, her true focus is on fashioning them into serene, stress-free environments that inspire tranquility in all who enter. The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House is filled with tips, tricks, and other advice based on Suzie’s years of experience in interior home design that will set you up for success.
