Turn your new house into a home
Historically low mortgage interest rates are helping to drive a new wave of home sales. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that roughly 14 percent of the population, or around 40 million people, move every year for various reasons. Statistics Canada’s Canadian Housing Survey found that about half of Canadian households have either moved within the past five years or intend to do so within the next five.
While people may be inclined to move far from their current residences, the moving resource Move.org notes that some U.S. states are seeing an influx in people leaving, while others are absorbing new residents. Illinois, Alaska, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia are the top five states Americans are leaving, while Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Montana are gaining residents.
People relocate for various reasons. After moving into a new house, it can take some effort to turn that house into a true home and feel comfortable in your new environs. These steps can help that process along.
• Create at least one complete and serene space. Focus on setting up the bedroom so you can retreat at the end of the day. Invest in new furniture or get new bedding to give the room a comforting feeling.
• Create an organizational plan. It can be tempting to want to throw everything in closets and unpack quickly, but give yourself time to fully analyze where you want to store items and where you may need to paint or reconfigure spaces, as well as any home improvements you want to make,before taking out all of your stuff. When you fully unpack, you can immediately enjoy your hard work.
• Hang artwork. Hang a few select pieces of artwork or family photos shortly after moving in. Surround yourself with things that make you feel good.
• Bring mementos. Your first home may bring about warm feelings. While you cannot recreate it entirely, you can use a piece of furniture or a few family heirlooms to make your new space feel homey.
• Rely on familiar scents. Break in the new space with familiar aromas, whether it is preferential air fresheners, scented candles or baking your favorite chocolate-chip-cookie recipe.
Moving into a new home can be exciting. Certain touches can help make the new space feel more like home.