When you move home, you may reach a point where you feel a little lost with what to do with your new space. There is so much excitement, stress and chaos in the process of buying a home, but then you get the keys and all the noise stops. You are then left with your brand new home and a load of boxes filled to the brim with your belongings.
All your visions and plans can suddenly go out of the window when you are looking around and overwhelmed with the amount of work to do, or the amount of choice that you have with a new place.
It should be fun and exciting. You have a whole new house, that is all yours, to completely personalise. From the decor to the colours of the walls, it is all open to change. Unfortunately, when new homeowners hit this wall, they tend to take the less ideal option, which is to just unpack and put off updating the new property until later. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and months turn into years. You will continue to have that nagging voice in your head, which takes away the fun and comfort of your new home.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little creativity and the right strategic approach, you can personalise your new home so you can get settled and be happy. More often than not, budget and time can be huge barriers. Fortunately, there are so many possibilities when it comes to making updates to a property that you can find both big and small updates to suit all budgets and time restraints. To help you on your journey, here are a variety of different ways you can update your new home and customise it to your needs.
This is a collaborative post.
Build a vision
It can be really hard to start the process and know where to begin when you don’t even know yourself what you want to do with your new home. This is where it is really important to consider what you want, and what your available resources are. Then you can begin to build a plan from here. Even if it is small changes, or bigger ones over time, it can completely shift your mindset and how you feel about your home when you have a direction and purpose.
If you have a new build property, then this might be slightly different. You may wish to communicate with the developer so you can influence the layout and set up during the construction phase.
Establish a style or a theme that you want to aim for. This could be a decor style that reflects your personality or the current trends. Use visual platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest to help inspire you.
Create a budget
A budget is really important as this will guide how much work you do to the property, and when. Finances can be tough after buying a new home, so it might be that you focus on smaller tasks to personalise your home for now and save bigger updates for the future.
Consider your financial situation and how much you have to spend on changes to your home. As you start to piece together a plan and costs for your vision, you will be able to build a timeline that works with your budget. The last thing you want to do is put yourself in the red.
Consider the essentials
While you want to focus on the style and decor, aka all the fun parts, it is also important to consider the essentials. In a new property, these are going to be things like safety and security. You want to make sure that any of your budget and resources first go to anything that is immediate for the safety of you and your family. It can therefore be helpful to consider whether the locks need changing, what condition the property foundations are in, and if there is anything you need to address, such as hazards or pests.
Locate the main water valve and electrical boards, and conduct a check to ensure they work and they are safe.
Have fun with smaller updates
Small updates can make a huge impact when you know what you are doing. Whether you have a small budget or like the property the way it is, there are plenty of things you can do.
Repainting the walls is a good place to start. This will enable you to create a fresh look in your home, and very quickly customise it to your tastes. Colour can significantly change the way a room looks and feels.
Update fixtures and fittings around your home with the best solid brass switches & outlets you can find. These can help you to curate a luxurious feel to your property with just a few updates.
Lastly, customise the property with decor that fits your personality and personal style preferences.
Invest in larger updates
Whether it is a health and safety risk or you want to completely customise the new property, there are many larger updates you can make to the property with the right timeline and budget. Some of these may include:
- Kitchen and bathroom remodels: these have a high return on investment and can be personalised to meet the needs of you and your family.
- Electrical upgrades: Make sure the electrics are safe and can withstand modern electronic devices, and set your home up for efficiency.
- Increase the square footage: Adding an extra room with an extension, or converting dead space like a loft, is a great way to increase space in your new home.
Moving to a new home is stressful enough, let alone when you have a DIY project on your hands. It can get a little overwhelming with all the tasks you need to complete, especially when you have budget or time restraints. Follow these top tips to help you put together a strategic plan so you can bring your vision to life.