How to Make Your New House Feel Like Home in 24 Hours | U.Santini Moving & Storage of Brooklyn, NY

U.Santini worker organizes bookshelf in new Brooklyn home

Moving into a new house is no small task. Even once everything is technically inside your new space, being surrounded by boxes in an unfamiliar home can still feel overwhelming. Fortunately, it doesn’t take weeks or months to make a house feel like home! With the right approach, you can settle into your new space in just a day. Try these quick home setup tips from our NYC movers.

Start With the Essentials on Your First Day

The overwhelm really sets in when you think about unpacking all your things in just a few hours. So instead of thinking of moving as one big project, split it into manageable tasks. We recommend starting with the essentials before moving your focus to the details. On your first day in a new house, do the following first:

Set Up Your Bedroom

Your bedroom should be your first priority. After a long day of moving and organizing, you’ll need a peaceful retreat. After all, a cozy bedroom provides immediate comfort and a sense of accomplishment that may motivate you to tackle other areas. Here’s a quick local moving checklist for setting up your bedroom:

Assemble your bed frame
Make your bed with familiar sheets and pillows
Set up a nightstand and bedside lamp
Place a comfortable chair if space allows
Unpack a few personal items for your nightstand or vanity

Make Sure the Kitchen Is Functional

You don’t need to unpack every kitchen item, but having basic functionality makes a huge difference. Being able to prepare a simple meal or your morning coffee in your new kitchen helps create a sense of normalcy. Focus on these tasks to make a house feel like home:

Only unpack the essential appliances, like a coffee maker or blender
Set up designated areas for meal preparation
Organize your most frequently used items into easily accessible spots
Stock your refrigerator with your favorite snacks

Stock Your Bathroom

Unpack any toiletries that you’ll need in the immediate future. Fill medicine cabinets and drawers with the essentials and save things like nice towels and linens for later. Having a place that feels familiar to take a relaxing bath or shower can greatly impact how you feel in your new space.

Turn Your Focus to Communal Areas

Once your bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom are squared away, you can turn your focus to communal areas. The living room should go first. Even if you’re eating takeout on folding chairs for the time being, having a designated relaxation space helps you mentally transition to your new home. Check these things off the list as you settle into your new house:

Arrange seating in your preferred way
Set up entertainment systems
Add throw pillows and blankets for immediate comfort
Fill up your shelves with books or artwork

Personalize Your Space With Meaningful Items

Now that all of your spaces are functional, you can personalize your new home. Adding a touch of your own style is the best way to transform a generic space into a place that truly feels like home. Personalizing your home is likely to be an ongoing process, but you can get started on your first day in a new house by:

Displaying Artwork and Photos—Put out your favorite photos and artwork to feel an instant emotional connection to your new space. Don’t worry about perfect placement—you can always adjust later! Having these familiar images visible makes your space feel more personal with minimal effort on your part.
Spraying Your Favorite Scents—Do you have a favorite fragrance? Consider spreading them throughout your new home. Choose scents that you associate with positivity to feel connected to your space and mask any lingering odors from previous occupants. You might light a candle, use an essential oil diffuser, or bake cookies.
Freshening Up Your Outdoor Space—Outdoor space comes at a premium in New York City, but if you’re lucky enough to score some, take a few minutes to dress it up. Sweep the area clean and add a simple chair and table if you have them. You might even place a few potted plants outside or string up some lights for an extra inviting vibe.

How to Unpack Strategically

Unpacking quickly turns into chaos if you don’t approach it with a strategy. Here are our top tips for getting unpacked without adding stress to your day:

Prioritize High-Use Items

We find that the best way to unpack those boxes is to start with the ones with the biggest impact on your daily comfort. Before you furnish your entire living room or kitchen, focus on these essential items:

Toiletries for your morning and evening routines
Work-from-home setup if you’ll be working from your new space
Hobby equipment that you use every day
Pet supplies for your furry family members

Create Clear Pathways

Nothing feels less like home than constantly navigating obstacle courses of boxes and furniture. Focusing on creating clear pathways will help make your space feel more organized and less overwhelming. Take a few minutes to:

Clear the main walking paths between rooms
Remove empty boxes
Organize the remaining boxes into less-used areas
Ensure emergency exits are always accessible

Settling Into Your New Home Beyond Unpacking

Settling into your new home takes more than just unpacking boxes. To truly feel at home, you’ll want to take a few additional steps. While this phase looks different for everyone, these ideas can help you feel comfortable in your new space:

Set Up a Morning Routine

The quicker you can get back to your morning routine, the more at home you’ll feel. Thankfully, adjusting your routine to your new space isn’t difficult when you know how to approach it. Solidify your new morning routine by:

Designating spots for your keys, wallet, and other daily essentials
Choosing spaces for coffee or tea preparation
Organizing your clothing for easy selection in the morning
Establishing a comfortable space for reading the news or checking emails

Choose a Space to Wind Down

Don’t underestimate the power of a designated relaxation space! This could be your bedroom, patio, or living room. If you’d really like to personalize your new home, consider creating a cozy reading nook or setting up a specific table for crafts. If you enjoy yoga or meditation, choose an area where you have plenty of space to stretch.

Explore Your Neighborhood

Now that you’ve personalized your new home and have mostly settled in, it’s time to check out the neighborhood! Getting familiar with your surroundings will make you feel more comfortable in your new location. Walk or drive around your neighborhood to pinpoint:

Grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations
Nearby restaurants and cafes you might enjoy
Parks, walking trails, and recreational areas
Community centers and libraries

Connect With the Community

Don’t hesitate to get out and meet new people! These initial connections don’t need to be deep friendships immediately, but they may help you feel like you belong in your new area. Even small interactions with neighbors and local business owners can build a sense of community.

Here to Help You Settle Into Your New Home

Turning a new house into a home doesn’t require expensive renovations or weeks of planning. By focusing on essential comfort items, personal touches, and familiar routines, you can create a cozy environment in just 24 hours. However, it pays to remember that personalizing your new home is an ongoing process. You probably can’t get everything done in just a day, and part of the fun is spending the next few weeks meshing your space with your lifestyle. U.Santini Moving & Storage is here to help you take on the moving process with ease. We specialize in NYC moves, and we’re your source for full-service packing. Contact us today to schedule service with our friendly team.