How long does it take to settle into a new home?
Moving into a new home is exciting, but if we’re being honest, it can take a little while before you actually feel settled in. How long exactly, really depends on you and your family, how quickly you acclimate to your new surroundings, and what steps you take to turn the newly purchased house into a home. With that in mind, here are a few ideas to help you settle into your new home.
Set up or transfer utilities and services
There’s a good chance you’ve already set up new or transferred your utilities and services to the new address but if not, go tackle that now. We’ll wait.
Deep clean before you start unpacking
While your new home might look clean on the surface, we recommend cleaning it to your standards with the products you rely on before you start unpacking your moving boxes. There’s nothing like finding someone else’s hair in a bathroom drawer… sorry for the mental image.
Focus on the kids’ rooms first
In order to help your children feel more comfortable in the new home, make sure their space is set up first and that their boxes are in their room ready for them to find new locations for their old friends.
Don’t wait on the closets
We know it seems strange to suggest prioritizing the closets over other rooms and while we’re not suggesting putting those ahead of the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms, we would encourage you not to wait on organizing the closets. Getting into a routine is much harder when you can’t find your coat.
Take ownership of the space
When we say take ownership of your space, we realize this looks a bit different for every homeowner. Painting the walls your go-to shade of green, hanging blinds and/or curtains, and arranging and rearranging furniture until it’s perfect, are great ways to make the new house your own.
Add in the familiar
Sights, sounds, and smells have the ability to trigger strong emotions which is why setting out your family pictures in the living room, making sure your clock that chimes on the hour is in its new place, and the candles or diffuser that emit your favorite smells are in out as soon as you can will evoke that sense of being settled.
Wait (or don’t wait) to put things on the walls
When to hang items on the walls after a move is a bit controversial. Some experts suggest waiting a few months while other articles say go for it right away. The correct answer to this is up to you. If you believe that your home will feel homier with the art, pictures, and other wall hangings on the new walls, we say go for it! Remember this is about finding your settling point.
Meet your new neighbors & explore your new neighborhood
Sometimes we get lucky and new neighbors show up with homemade cupcakes; if yours are a bit shyer, why not go introduce yourself first. This is a great way to build new relationships, find friends for you and/or the kids, and make you feel like you are part of a community. And speaking of the community, if you’re in a whole new city, go explore!
Greater Birmingham & Huntsville movers ready to help you move
Changing Spaces Moving, Inc., has been helping families and businesses move since 2003 and offer full-service moving solutions in Mountain Brook, Helena, and Madison as well as throughout the Greater Birmingham and Huntsville metros. Locally owned and family-operated, we are local and long-distance moving specialists who are passionate about what we do. If you’d like help packing and moving, give us a call or request a free moving quote here.
