How did you make a new home feel like yours?

goodwithsaving

I have been in my property a couple of weeks now, and in my previous houses it has taken a long time to settle in (if at all). I am concentrating on painting and spending time in the garden, rather than any immediate, large modifications due to budgetary constraints, although it still feels a little alien.

It prompted me to be curious as to how others 'settle in' to their new homes, and how they make it feel like home? I'd love to hear :-)

MaryNB

goodwithsaving said:

I have been in my property a couple of weeks now, and in my previous houses it has taken a long time to settle in (if at all). I am concentrating on painting and spending time in the garden, rather than any immediate, large modifications due to budgetary constraints, although it still feels a little alien.

It prompted me to be curious as to how others 'settle in' to their new homes, and how they make it feel like home? I'd love to hear :-)

Bought my house last year. Spent a while decorating.  It wasn't until I added home accessories (plants, art prints I picked up over the years, photos) that the place really came together. 

nimbo

Unpack. 

Put up pictures. And my own things on the walls. 

Get drunk - have a housewarming. Find some random member of family stuck in the spare room with no recollection of how the got there.  

have sex in each room of the house...

the usual.  

GaleSF63

I've never thought about it. But I have so much stuff, I suppose as soon as it's all in, anywhere will feel like mine!

walwyn1978

Paint and/or  put up your pictures. Being in rooms where you’ve chosen what’s on the walls makes a huge difference.

That or when you know which bin goes out on which day without having to look, you know you’re settled in the house and area…

Owleyes00

Been in my new house a month. All rooms are at varying different levels of “finished” and there is currently no carpet on the stairs pending an ambitious painting project but the one thing for us that has made it feel “ours” was doing the bedroom straight away. In all the unfinished chaos it is wonderful to have a completely finished room to come back to and wake up in, like a little sanctuary! The other thing is keeping up as many routines from our old place as possible.

Scotbot

nimbo said:

Unpack. 

Put up pictures. And my own things on the walls. 

Get drunk - have a housewarming. Find some random member of family stuck in the spare room with no recollection of how the got there.  

have sex in each room of the house...

the usual.  

How is this any different to your average student rental?

youth_leader

I've been in this bungalow for seven months now, and only felt it was home when I finally found a place for my marble bust of Diana the Huntress, she's on the bathroom windowsill (bending slightly).  Mad but true. 

lookstraightahead

As people come to visit it feels more like home.

[Deleted User]

Normally I've felt it's just down to time and giving everywhere a personal touch. For me it can be - cleanliness or the 'smell' like it's ours, a few mirrors or lamps to make it feel homely, knowing instantly where things are and not forgetting where I've unpacked something.

I think it takes more time depending on how different it all is. Our move to a cottage in the country was much harder as it felt surreal to sleep in complete darkness and silence and the 'country retreat' took a while to get my head around and feel natural and at home. I cried my eyes out the first night. It just didn't feel like I thought it would even though it was a wonderful place.

With our current house, we were returning to a village we knew, and for the first time ever for me I felt completely comfortable and like I was 'home' immediately. The same evening. I've never felt that before at all. Previously it's taken me weeks if not months. 

trailingspouse

I've owned 10 houses, rented 9, and lived on 4 ships as well.

Wherever I lay my hat...