So you’ve got the keys to the new place...now what? How do you make this strange new place feel as comfy cozy as the old one? Take some tips from a pro. Knock this list out and both you and your family will feel right at home!

Set up the bedrooms and kitchen first.

You need somewhere to sleep and somewhere to prepare food. Making these two rooms your top priority ensures maximum comfort while unpacking the rest of the house.

Let the kids help decorate their rooms so they feel a sense of ownership and involvement. Fill your house with familiar smells: cookies, baked bread, essential oils, or a fave candle.

Cook your best comfort dishes to break in the new kitchen.

Work smart and maintain living space while unpacking.

Make sure there’s a walkway while unpacking and break down/remove empty boxes immediately. Have a “first-day” box complete with shower curtain, cooking essentials (just the basics!), trash bags, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, rags/paper towels, and comfy clothes to unpack in. It’s also a good idea to include a parts box with all the screws, nuts, bolts, and Allen wrenches needed to assemble your furniture.

Remember: your house does not need to be unpacked all at once! Burnout is no fun, go at a comfortable pace.

Get organized from the ground up!

Now is the best time to purge and get organized.

Get your systems and zones in place now and things will feel much less chaotic. It doesn’t have to be perfect, locations of things might change after getting settled, but it’s important to start life at the new place with order and routine.

This will not only help you feel more comfortable but also ensure that you don’t lose or misplace anything. Set up a command center to keep mail, keys, calendars, and a charging station in one central location. 

Max out your comfort.

There’s a Danish term for this called hygge - creating a mood of coziness and comfort to promote feelings of wellness and contentment.

It’s not complicated at all! Fill your home with plush throw pillows, soft blankets, and warm lighting from accent lamps. Extend that cozy feeling by adding curtains, area rugs, and a couple of house plants and your new home will instantly feel more “homey”.

Wanna tip the scale to super luxe? Grab a pair of memory foam house shoes. Your tired tootsies will thank you ten times over.

Get back into your routines ASAP.

This is helpful on soooooo many levels. Routines help us feel normal and ensure that important daily activities don’t get skipped.

Set up WiFi at move-in so you can catch your shows and check emails. Have your favorite morning drink and cup handy to start the day on the right foot.

Set up a corner to do your workouts or yoga and try your best to maintain a normal bedtime. Bonus tip: label confusing light switches until you know which switch controls what.

Nothing can make you feel like a stranger in your own home quicker than not knowing which switch turns on the dang light!

Get plugged-in to the neighborhood.

It’s a tricky time right now with Covid-19 but you can still get integrated into your new surroundings so you feel like you actually belong and aren’t just visiting a friend.

Get to know your local grocery store and shopping center. Even if this means shopping online and ordering curbside or delivery, familiarize yourself with the businesses closest to you.

Order pizza or takeout to get a taste of the local flavor. Grab some coffee to-go from the neighborhood coffee shop and see if there is a bulletin board with community announcements. Check to see if there’s a Facebook group for your neighborhood/area/complex.

Say hi to the neighbors when you see them and when it’s safe to do so, invite a couple of friends over to see the new place. It doesn’t have to be anything formal, but it will feel nice to create some memories in the new place.

No matter the reason for the move, you can make it the best possible experience for you and your family by having a positive outlook and creating little pockets of joy.

These tips are designed to do just that and I hope they help you with this major life transition.

Just remember: YOU’VE GOT THIS!!! And if you want help, just ask!

Originally posted JANUARY 16, 2021