20 Ways to Personalize a New House
Little touches go a long way toward making your place feel more like you
Laura Gaskill
19 June 2022
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
When you first move into a new house, it’s only natural to want to put your personal stamp on the space — after all, unless you built your dream home, it’s likely that the finishes, fixtures and paint colors were chosen according to the previous owner’s taste. So where to begin? Here are 20 projects, both small and large, that should help make your house feel like home.
1. Paint the Front Door
It’s far less commitment than painting the exterior and has more bang for the buck. While you’re choosing a paint color, consider whether you want to update the hardware as well — shiny new hardware can give your home a fresh look, and you can change the locks at the same time (always a good idea when you buy a house), so it’s a win-win.
It’s far less commitment than painting the exterior and has more bang for the buck. While you’re choosing a paint color, consider whether you want to update the hardware as well — shiny new hardware can give your home a fresh look, and you can change the locks at the same time (always a good idea when you buy a house), so it’s a win-win.
2. Buy Fresh Flowers
A bouquet of freshly cut flowers, whether from the grocery store or your backyard, can instantly make any room feel friendlier. Make a single arrangement go further by pulling out a few single blooms to display in bud vases around the house.
A bouquet of freshly cut flowers, whether from the grocery store or your backyard, can instantly make any room feel friendlier. Make a single arrangement go further by pulling out a few single blooms to display in bud vases around the house.
3. Hang Personal Photos
Getting a few favorite photos up on the wall is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a new place feel like home, so don’t put it off. If you’re concerned about putting holes in the walls before you know for sure where everything will go, pick up some removable picture-hanging strips to use instead of nails.
Getting a few favorite photos up on the wall is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a new place feel like home, so don’t put it off. If you’re concerned about putting holes in the walls before you know for sure where everything will go, pick up some removable picture-hanging strips to use instead of nails.
4. Change the Kitchen Faucet
If the faucet in your kitchen has seen better days, consider swapping it out for a sleek new one. This one simple change can make a big impact on how your kitchen feels overall, yet costs relatively little. Just be sure to coordinate it with the existing hardware — or swap the hardware at the same time for a bigger change.
If the faucet in your kitchen has seen better days, consider swapping it out for a sleek new one. This one simple change can make a big impact on how your kitchen feels overall, yet costs relatively little. Just be sure to coordinate it with the existing hardware — or swap the hardware at the same time for a bigger change.
5. Paint a Wall or Two
Picking colors for your whole house can be a daunting prospect. Save yourself some trouble and just commit to painting an accent wall or two now. Getting color on the walls will make your place feel more like you and can help determine the rest of your home’s palette.
Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move
Picking colors for your whole house can be a daunting prospect. Save yourself some trouble and just commit to painting an accent wall or two now. Getting color on the walls will make your place feel more like you and can help determine the rest of your home’s palette.
Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move
6. Wallpaper the Powder Room
Up for a bigger project? A fun statement wallpaper can really put your stamp on the powder room or bath. A less-used space like this is a great place to experiment with bold patterns and color. Just be aware that if you wallpaper a full bath (with a shower or tub), rather than just a powder room, you should choose a product that can withstand the humidity and avoid wallpapering in the “splash zone.”
Shop for wallpaper
Up for a bigger project? A fun statement wallpaper can really put your stamp on the powder room or bath. A less-used space like this is a great place to experiment with bold patterns and color. Just be aware that if you wallpaper a full bath (with a shower or tub), rather than just a powder room, you should choose a product that can withstand the humidity and avoid wallpapering in the “splash zone.”
Shop for wallpaper
7. Roll Out a Fluffy Rug
Even if you generally prefer bare floors, having at least one space with a sink-your-toes-in squishy rug makes a house feel ultracomfortable. If you’re concerned about keeping a shag or deep-pile rug clean, put it in a room away from entrances and heavy foot traffic — a bedroom or den is ideal.
Even if you generally prefer bare floors, having at least one space with a sink-your-toes-in squishy rug makes a house feel ultracomfortable. If you’re concerned about keeping a shag or deep-pile rug clean, put it in a room away from entrances and heavy foot traffic — a bedroom or den is ideal.
8. Clean From Top to Bottom
Tap into the power of scent by using great-smelling natural products to thoroughly scrub your new home. It may sound a bit strange, but when your home begins to smell familiar, it’ll feel more like home — so you may as well do what you can to speed that process along!
Tap into the power of scent by using great-smelling natural products to thoroughly scrub your new home. It may sound a bit strange, but when your home begins to smell familiar, it’ll feel more like home — so you may as well do what you can to speed that process along!
9. Put Up Wall Hooks
Having hooks right where you need them can make all the difference when it comes to staying organized and keeping your home tidy. Pay attention to where you and your family members tend to drop things, then add a row of hooks there — the entry hall, bathroom and bedrooms are good candidates for wall hooks.
Having hooks right where you need them can make all the difference when it comes to staying organized and keeping your home tidy. Pay attention to where you and your family members tend to drop things, then add a row of hooks there — the entry hall, bathroom and bedrooms are good candidates for wall hooks.
10. Switch Out a Light Fixture
Swapping a stylish light you love for a boring or outdated one can make a room feel new. And if there’s a space that could use an overhead fixture where none exists, pay an electrician to install one — why live with an inconvenience when you can fix it? The expense is worth it if it’ll make your daily life easier and more pleasant for years to come.
Swapping a stylish light you love for a boring or outdated one can make a room feel new. And if there’s a space that could use an overhead fixture where none exists, pay an electrician to install one — why live with an inconvenience when you can fix it? The expense is worth it if it’ll make your daily life easier and more pleasant for years to come.
11. Give Stairs a Special Treatment
Paint them a crisp white, then add shades of a single color to the treads; or add numbers, words or wallpaper to the risers. If you have a carpeted staircase, update it with a fresh runner.
7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House
Paint them a crisp white, then add shades of a single color to the treads; or add numbers, words or wallpaper to the risers. If you have a carpeted staircase, update it with a fresh runner.
7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House
12. Make a Place For Your Keys
Save time on your way out the door by designating a spot for keys and other important items. Install a row of small hooks, or use a tray or dish; just make it convenient and use it consistently.
Save time on your way out the door by designating a spot for keys and other important items. Install a row of small hooks, or use a tray or dish; just make it convenient and use it consistently.
13. Upgrade Window Treatments
Whether you go for tailored Roman blinds or textured bamboo, simple roller shades or a layered look with curtains, having a window treatment you love (and that works) is a decorating detail that can make a space feel more polished. When selecting window treatments, choose the same liner fabric on all windows for a consistent look from the street.
Whether you go for tailored Roman blinds or textured bamboo, simple roller shades or a layered look with curtains, having a window treatment you love (and that works) is a decorating detail that can make a space feel more polished. When selecting window treatments, choose the same liner fabric on all windows for a consistent look from the street.
14. Hang a Large-Scale Piece of Art
One great piece of artwork can create a focal point and enliven an entire room. It doesn’t need to be a priceless item, as long as it speaks to you. Seek out galleries that feature up-and-coming artists, or attend student shows at a local art school, to find reasonably priced works.
Shop for wall art on Houzz
One great piece of artwork can create a focal point and enliven an entire room. It doesn’t need to be a priceless item, as long as it speaks to you. Seek out galleries that feature up-and-coming artists, or attend student shows at a local art school, to find reasonably priced works.
Shop for wall art on Houzz
15. Tuck Plants Into Unexpected Spaces
Plants add personality and color, freshen the air — and they look great in any room. Large houseplants and potted trees are wonderful, but also try placing little pots of cactuses, succulents or ferns among the bottles on a bar cart, on the bathroom sink or on open shelving in the kitchen.
Plants add personality and color, freshen the air — and they look great in any room. Large houseplants and potted trees are wonderful, but also try placing little pots of cactuses, succulents or ferns among the bottles on a bar cart, on the bathroom sink or on open shelving in the kitchen.
16. Create a Special Spot For Little Ones
Give young children a secret hideaway or comfy area to curl up with a favorite storybook. Just about anywhere can become a cozy nook — just add a few squashy pillows, a snuggly throw and a basket of books.
How to Make Your Move Easier for Your Family
Give young children a secret hideaway or comfy area to curl up with a favorite storybook. Just about anywhere can become a cozy nook — just add a few squashy pillows, a snuggly throw and a basket of books.
How to Make Your Move Easier for Your Family
17. Customize the Storage
Having the right sort of storage, in the right place, is key: Get that right, and daily life suddenly becomes much easier. Take the time to plan out where you need shelving or cabinetry, and outfit your closets with storage systems to make the most of your space (this is especially important in small spaces).
9 Things New Homeowners Know to Be True
Having the right sort of storage, in the right place, is key: Get that right, and daily life suddenly becomes much easier. Take the time to plan out where you need shelving or cabinetry, and outfit your closets with storage systems to make the most of your space (this is especially important in small spaces).
9 Things New Homeowners Know to Be True
18. Upgrade Bathroom Details
Can’t take on a full bathroom remodel? That doesn’t mean you can’t freshen up the bath with a few smaller swaps. Change the faucets, cabinet hardware, towel bars and light fixture, and replace an old medicine cabinet with a mirror.
Can’t take on a full bathroom remodel? That doesn’t mean you can’t freshen up the bath with a few smaller swaps. Change the faucets, cabinet hardware, towel bars and light fixture, and replace an old medicine cabinet with a mirror.
19. Offer Cozy Comforts
A throw to snuggle under, a tea tray ready for last-minute guests, candles, fresh flowers and plenty of lamps — these little things are often what make a house feel like a comfortable, welcoming home.
A throw to snuggle under, a tea tray ready for last-minute guests, candles, fresh flowers and plenty of lamps — these little things are often what make a house feel like a comfortable, welcoming home.
20. Add a Fun Outdoor Feature
Think fire pit, hammock, porch swing, alfresco dining table or barbecue area — something that will entice family and friends to venture out. When sprucing up your outdoor room, remember to provide enough shade for sunny days and to maximize privacy, if that’s a concern.
Think fire pit, hammock, porch swing, alfresco dining table or barbecue area — something that will entice family and friends to venture out. When sprucing up your outdoor room, remember to provide enough shade for sunny days and to maximize privacy, if that’s a concern.
Tell us: How are you personalizing your new home?Share in the Comments.
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As a renter, many of these things are not options for me. So when moving into a new rental, smell seems to be the key to the place feeling like mine. My way of moving has three steps:
1) clean madly unless the rental is absolutely new, and even then (construction dust can lurk). Sniff everything and clean anything that has an odor: window blinds or shades, inside closets or wardrobes, under the sinks, vacuum or lightly shampoo any furnishings that come with the flat; run the washing machine with whatever it takes to remove any mildew or other smells; clean the drains in the bathroom and kitchen. So far, I've been lucky enough to have a few days to move so I can do all the cleaning before my stuff arrives.
2. Do a marathon of moving in. Start in the morning and work until everything is put away and boxes are collapsed and out of the flat, floor is swept, and everything looks organized. Don't leave ANY boxes 'for later' or anything not put away. Just DO IT in one day (this works for one person in a small apartment, especially if you wisely threw away everything you don't need, don't use, or can get rid of while you were packing up to move). Having all your stuff settled around you as quickly as possible is foundational. You can always change things around as you live in the space, add potted plants, organize the books more sensibly, re-organize the cooking utensils over time, just make sure that everything is out of boxes and put away in a reasonable place before you go to bed. Waking up to a livable space with your own stuff where it needs to be helps hugely in adjusting to the new place.
Putting my stuff in reasonable places helps me get over what I call 'location lag' - that period of adjustment when I come in and reach to the left for the light switch, because that's where it was in the previous flat, or reach out to hang my bath robe to the left of the shower instead of the right, or reach down to grab the hand-towel from the fridge door handle because that was the habit in the previous place, and have to remember that here, it hangs from the oven door. If I can put things in sensible places from the first day, adjusting to the different arrangement of the new flat comes more naturally.
3. Bake some bread as soon as possible. There's something about baking bread that warms the space and establishes a homey aroma in the new place, chases away the 'cold, empty' ambience of a new flat. For someone else, it might be baking cookies or lighting candles or incense. Heat + a familiar scent is the key.
When you walk into your new place and you don't smell anything, when it doesn't smell like paint or cleaning products, etc., then you know that it smells like your house. You can't smell your own home. I have a friend who has visited me in four flats over 20 years and she always says at some point, 'This flat smells like your place now,' and assures me it's not a bad smell. That's when I know that the new place is mine.
Love the color yellow for the front door,can you tell me what the color is ?
Love the ideas and the conversation. One of the first things I think about is purchasing a house with potential for adding storage etc. Another thing is to set aside funds for initial upgrades like cleaning, painting and small improvements. Think long term and have project plan for other home improvements.