10 Ways to Feel at Home in Your New Apartment
Get Rid of Those Boxes
This may seem obvious, but it’s easier said than done. With our hectic work schedules and busy personal lives, it’s easy to ignore the giant stack of boxes for weeks. Make your apartment feel homier right away by unpacking everything as soon as possible.
Turn on the Tunes
Get inspired to have an unpacking dance party by putting on your favorite tunes. Music helps reduce stress, so if you’re freaking out about the amount of unpacking you have to do, your favorite playlist will be just what you need.
Unpack the Big Things
Get all the big things out and set up first, like your lamps, furniture, and anything that needs to be put together. This will help you create a blueprint of your new space, dictating where everything will go and allowing you to make it feel like home right away.
Make Your Bed
Nothing says cozy, comfortable home like a newly made bed—especially if you have new bedding to use. Get your bed set up right away and plop down to relax as you go through your bedroom knick-knacks.
Prep the Bathroom
You may have a new shower curtain, but most items in your bathroom are likely brought from the last place you lived. You probably use them every day, as well, bringing a sense of comfort when unpacking them.Get your medicine cabinet set up and decide how you want your new sink and vanity area to look. Little tasks like this make all the difference when you want to feel at home in your new apartment.
Open Up the Space
If you’re feeling claustrophobic in your new, small space, there are a few things you can do to open it up. One easy way to do that is to open the windows, but if you’re in a tiny city apartment, that may not do much to help. However, finding soft incandescent bulbs can be a good alternative to replace natural light and open up your space. If you don’t have access to natural light, use lamps with soft incandescent bulbs to replace the light you’re missing (fluorescent lighting can be harsh and unpleasant), according to experts at Empire Siding and Windows.
Unpack a Piece of Home
If you moved from far away, unpack the things that remind you of home right away. Pictures of friends and family, posters you’ve had forever, and that hamper that made it through all four years of college. You’ll love reminiscing as you pull the items out, and will feel better being able to see them as you make your way from room to room.
Do a Security Check
Check all your doors and windows for any potential security issues right when you move in. You’ll feel safer knowing that your window and door locks are safe and secure. If they’re not, call your property manager right away and they can come install a temporary fix or take care of the problem. “Statistics show that more than 30 percent of all apartment burglars gained access through an open door or window,”says David Artman, CEO of The Home Security Super Store.
Host a Dinner
If you didn’t move far away from home, and still have friends nearby, host a dinner or small group gathering. You’ll immediately feel at home having all your friends chatting and enjoying themselves in your new space.
Relax
When all’s said and done, curl up on your couch, put on a movie you love and relax. Nothing will help you feel better than a good movie night and some much-needed shut-eye.
BIO: Jessica Thiefels has been writing for more than 10 years and is currently a full-time blogger and consultant. She’s shared a variety of personal experience and tips for websites like Reader’s Digest, AARP, and Lifehack. Follow her on Twitter @Jlsander07 for money-saving ideas, health tips and more.
