Moving into a new place is never easy, but you did it! The hard part and heavy lifting are done. You’re in your new place, and you can relax.

But—it doesn’t feel quite like it’s yours yet. Your stuff is in there, it’s almost all unpacked, yet something is still missing. Maybe you can’t put your finger on it, but you don’t feel settled in yet. 

Does that sound about where you’re at right now? 

If so, it’s a perfectly normal feeling to have. You’re in a new environment and you haven’t quite put your stamp on it yet. All it takes a few homey touches to turn your “house” into a “home,” and a few of these eleven simple ways should do the trick!

1. Figure Out Your Morning Routine

Mornings can make or break how smoothly your day goes. As soon as you can, start setting up your home to make your a.m. movements as efficient as possible.

This could be anything from getting an area rug next to your bed to prevent cold bare-floor feet to setting up your coffee pot. 

Once you get your flow going, the rest of the day is easier to handle!

2. Make it Cozy

The little touches are usually enough to turn a plain room into a relaxing environment. With a few candles, a throw pillow and blanket, and a soft area rug, you can make any room cozy.

Lighting can be another reason a room feels too harsh. Consider replacing your overhead bulbs with a lower wattage or moving to floor lamps instead.

3. Patch the Small Things

Depending on whether you have a new home or it was previously lived-in, you may have to make some minor touch-ups. Little holes in the walls from nails or paint that has to be refreshed aren’t major deals. But they can keep the house from feeling complete.

This step is important, too, because you can catch any problems if they exist. Roof damage could cause leaks in the ceiling or walls that you won’t notice unless you’re looking closely. 

In a manufactured home, damage to the roof can turn into trouble fast. A roof-over is an affordable solution if you notice leaks before they turn serious. 

As you’re patching and repainting, check for cold, damp, or moldy areas. These are commonly found along window panes, door frames, ceilings, and walls.

4. Spruce Up the Smells

Our senses have a lot to do with how comfortable we feel in a place. How things look and feel are important, but so is how they smell.

If you can find a room diffuser or wall plug-in that makes the space smell familiar and relaxing, it makes a big difference! 

Candles are nice, but they can’t be used ‘round the clock. Safer alternatives give you the same scents without being a fire hazard.

5. Start Cooking 

You’ve probably been doing a lot of microwave or to-go eating while you were getting unpacked. It was the best choice to make for your sanity, but now that you’re settled, it’s time to start cooking.

Not only is it healthier and less expensive than eating out, but some research shows that cooking and baking is better for your mood. When you feel off-kilter, some creative culinary work could be just the trick!

The more you cook at home, the more your house has that lived-in feel, too. Go ahead and start baking. It’s good for your health!

6. Organize Your Closet

If you’re still living out of boxes or shuffling through your wardrobe to find clothes, you’re not settled yet. 

Take an hour out of the day to hang your clothes with an organized method, such as by season, outfit, or color. Straighten your shoes, put away your accessories, and make it easy to find everything you may need. 

7. Swap Out Your Window Coverings

Many houses come with blinds already in place. This is fine if all you want is privacy and something to block the sun. But if you’re looking to make your house more homey, you might want to switch to curtains.

Walls are usually bare unless you spruce them up with artwork. Using curtains is a way to add texture and color to an otherwise blah space.

8. Add Some Plants

Indoor plants serve a dual purpose. They make a room homier, and they improve the air quality, too.

There are lots of plants that thrive without direct sunlight or a lot of TLC. If you’re not a green thumb but you still want the advantages of greenery, look for some hard-to-kill indoor plants. 

They come in all sorts of sizes and appearances, so you’re sure to find one that looks at-home in your home.

9. Fill It With Flowers

Fresh-cut flowers are different from adding plants. Flowers add color and fragrance, but they don’t last for the long-term. 

If you have access to wildflowers in your area or can refresh a vase weekly, it creates a magical centerpiece that boosts the entire room’s atmosphere.

But if you want a similar result without the upkeep and cost, you can use artificial flowers. You have a lot more choices this way. Find your favorites and put them all together in one beautiful vase.

10. Display Your Art

Hanging your pictures and art is one of the things experts recommend to save for last. Chances are, once you move in, you’re going to be moving around your furniture. 

As you realize things don’t quite work where you put them, you’ll be making adjustments.

But now that you’re settled, you can hang your pictures and paintings. Cover up a bare wall with a tapestry or mural, and prop up your family photos on your TV stand and coffee tables. 

11. Play Some Music

Finally, don’t overlook the magic that music works on our minds! It really can soothe the savage beast, so imagine what it can do for you!

Invest in a Bluetooth speaker or surround sound system and blast your favorite playlist or some relaxing background noises. 

What you listen to can affect your mood. If you’re feeling down, throw on some jams and dance around the kitchen (while you cook). There’s no way to be unhappy with your favorite songs on loud!

Conclusion

You’ve put a lot of work and money into your new home. You deserve to be able to feel peaceful and relaxed there!

With these eleven tips, each room will have your personality stamped in it, and you’ll be at-home in no time!