When you’re in the middle of purchasing a home, it’s easy to get caught up in the details. There are multiple listings to visit and consider, offers to negotiate, as well as a myriad of financial and legal matters to settle.
Getting the keys and moving into your new home gives you a chance to relax and enjoy yourself after all your hard work. But, if you’re like many proud new homeowners, you may feel as though something is amiss. Though your name is on the title, this home does not quite feel like yours – yet. Now, it’s time to settle in and transform your space into something that works for you.
Own Your Space
Some new homeowners feel like guests or visitors in the first few days of living in a new house. If the previous owners used staging during the sales process, there’s a good reason for that. Staging is a lot like clothing on a mannequin; it’s purpose is to attract attention and create a blank canvas for people to imagine the possibilities.
However, it is also purposefully devoid of any personality so it doesn’t narrow the field of potential buyers. If your new home contains any remnants of the staging process, it’s unsurprising that it feels a little impersonal. It’s time to own it, claim it, and fill it to the brim with your personality and flair.
Looking for some tips on finding and buying the right home for your family? The posts below will give you some valuable advice:
- What Etobicoke Home Is Right for Your Growing Family?
- Should You Buy a House Close to a School?
- Must-Have Features for Luxury Home Buyers in Etobicoke
A Warm Welcome From the Outside
Transforming a new house into a home that makes you feel comfortable and safe actually begins with the exterior. You want to fall in love with the space every single time you pull up in the driveway.
This could be as simple as adding a fun and quirky welcome mat or sign. Or it could be as extensive as investing in a total landscaping overhaul. At the very least, the addition of some outdoor lighting can add character and warmth to your home.
A series of fairy lights sprinkled throughout a garden is a sight few can resist. Solar lights along the driveway and porch steps aren’t just beautiful, but can also help you and your guests get in and out of the house safely after dark.
A Mix of Bold and Subtle Decor
Most listing agents cover the walls in neutral-coloured paint to make it as generic as possible. But if you’re the type of person to appreciate bold colours, those bland hues just might be the first to go. That’s not to say you should go overboard with fluorescents on every wall. However, a bold accent here and there will go a long way toward making this space your own.
Your furniture and decor are other areas where you can add personality to a room. Your end result will depend on your priorities and sense of style and whether you prefer function over form or a seamless combination of both. For example:
- You may fall in love with a signature piece of furniture that is unfortunately not as comfortable as it looks. All is not lost, however. You can always pair new and stylish with a classic recliner where you can snuggle in for an afternoon read.
- One particular painting can add a dazzling splash of colour and intrigue to any room. You can complement it with other pieces that are classy and a little more subtle.
Consider the Resale Value
After you move in, you have a sense of freedom with your decor that you never had when selling. That said, it’s important to keep the resale value of the house in mind, especially if your tastes could be considered unconventional.
You can paint any colour you want and be as bold and outrageous as you want with your artwork. However, you may want to check with a real estate agent before tearing down walls or building a new addition. Your new buyer may not appreciate this unique layout quite as much as you do.
Whatever your style, there’s a design theme for you to make it happen in creative and deeply satisfying ways. It might take a little arranging and rearranging before your vibe feels just right, but that’s all part of the fun.
Creating a beautiful aesthetic is one of the fastest ways to fall in love with your new home. The resources below will get you on the right track:
- Lighting Techniques That Give Your Home an Instant Facelift
- Redesign Your Home Decor With One Trip to Your Local Hardware Store
- Absolutely Fabulous! Secrets of Gorgeous Curb Appeal for Every Season
Get to Know the Neighbourhood
Once you’ve moved in, one of the best things you can do to feel at home is to establish a comforting routine. This can be finding an enjoyable activity inside the house, such as reading in a cozy nook nestled in a warm blanket. Or you may want to host a weekly BBQ to show off your beautiful new yard.
Plus, part of your routine will mean getting out and getting to know your neighbourhood. It won’t be long before you find a favourite new restaurant you want to visit frequently, as well as a few go-to shopping destinations where you find everything you want and need.
Between decorating your space until it feels just right and nestling into the neighbourhood, it won’t be long until your new house feels like it has been your home for many years. The only thing left to do is enjoy it for many more years to come!
Are you ready to begin the search for a place you can call your own? We are happy to help! Reach out to ana@asantos.ca or call 647.232.7317 to take the next step.