What makes it feel like home?
Have you made a big move from far away, leaving behind your family, friends, and the place you grew up? I also have. It can be scary with so much newness surrounding you all at once. One aspect I love is getting settled into my new house. The critical choices, such as deciding which drawer makes the most sense for the silverware to live in, excite me. Beyond the kitchen organization, there is infinite potential for arranging and decorating. Let's explore what will help you re-create that feeling of home. These are my tips to quickly make your new space feel comfortable and cozy.
Creating comfort goes a long way towards connecting you to your new space and grounding you as you settle in. Your possessions make your home base. Start by placing all of the essentials from your previous home to create the foundation layer for your space. Seeing your favorite chair and plant will always feel good. Arrange these processions similar to the way they were before you moved. Hang your artwork or fabulous family photo in the same room as it was before you moved, putting it in as close as possible to the exact location. At first, arrange your living room and bedroom, even with new furniture, in the same layout as your previous home. This will feel familiar to you as you unwind after spending a long day exploring getting to know the city.
The next component celebrates your journey by incorporating inspiration from the local area into the aesthetic of your space. The purpose is to connect your interior design elements with what you like about your new locale. Consider including activities that you enjoy doing. If you are excited by all the hiking, biking, and kayaking adventures in the area, then find a way to represent your outdoor passion in your new urban space. One possibility is hanging up a map that features all the fun places you will get to explore. I like displaying my outdoor gear — mostly my snowboards because I love the artwork and all the fun memories. Decorating like this keeps activities top of mind whenever there is free time to get out and enjoy.
Decorating is a great way to celebrate change. A fun, funky adventure option could be going to your local vintage shop to find a unique themed lamp that can serve as both a light source and topic of conversation when your new friends come over for a visit. During decent weather, garage sales can be plentiful and entertaining. I really enjoy the artist's studio sales. I usually find them just walking around in the more artsy neighborhoods in the city. They tend to have collections of colorful, strange objects that I find myself enamored with. Another idea is painting your own cityscape art to feature in a place you will really enjoy, perhaps above your desk. Painting, not your thing? No worries, many local artists share their unique perspectives of the city skyline. Acquiring artwork that speaks to you can represent and acknowledge this fantastic relocation experience you have accomplished.
I hope this helps you think of different ways to make your space reflective of who you are and where you came from as you begin this exciting new chapter in your life. Moving to a busy city with lots of people and energy is a significant change of pace. It will feel rejuvenating to return to your home by the end of the day. Please comment if you have more ways to get your space feeling just the way you like. Email me with any questions about housing or real estate in Washington or Oregon. Welcome Home. Heather@SeattleJones.com IG: Seattle.Jones
