oving into a house is a whole different experience to anything you may have gone through before. Rather than in a university dorm or an apartment with a landlord, you are wholly responsible for the upkeep of the house, the bills, the furniture, and selling it if you so choose to leave. This might sound devastating, but owning a house is much more than just another adulting burden. It’s also freedom—choosing how to decorate without anyone getting upset over potential damage to the walls, buying a couch in your favorite color, and painting flowers on your closet door just because you can. Moving is difficult, but once you make it out of the hard part, you’ll fall in love with the unique experience of having your own house.
What this article will cover:
- Packing tips
- Shopping for an empty house
- Making the environment more personal
Out with the Old, In with the New
If you’re moving out, one of the first things you have to do is determine which of your belongings must go and which must stay. If you know that, logically, you should get rid of something but you don’t have the heart to part with it, you’re just human. However, one of the best ways to say goodbye to useless (let’s face it) but beloved items is by switching your mindset. You’re not just dumping your childhood stuffed animal or your favorite sweater from ninth grade, you’re allowing them to be repurposed by an eager stranger, and you’re making room for items that will become attached to new memories in this next phase of your life.
If you’ve put aside items that you’d like to give away, but you’re not sure where to send them, these are a few options you can look into. Firstly, The Salvation Army serves over 20 million Americans, and they have been helping those in need since 1865. They take many different varieties of donations, including appliances (microwaves, washing machines, stoves, etc.), cars, children’s clothing, furniture, household goods (towels, lamps, curtains, etc.), men’s and women’s clothing, and miscellaneous items (books, stuffed animals, umbrellas, etc.). Anything you have that is not completely damaged is fair game, so donating is always a better option than throwing everything away. It gives you closure in leaving your belongings behind, it is more sustainable for the environment, and of course, it greatly helps someone who might not have access to material necessities.
Goodwill is another great donation option. They accept clothes, electronics, furniture, and housewares. They serve over 2 million individuals. It was founded 120 years ago, and it runs based on the motto of giving someone “a chance.” There are over 3,000 Goodwill stores in North America, and the website has a tool that helps you find your closest donation center and/or thrift store.
Your House is Your Canvas
Buying furniture and house decor is one of the best parts of moving in. You get to truly make the space yours and elevate it from a house to a home. If you’re excited to decorate but not exactly sure what type of look you want to go for, below are some design inspirations and where you can purchase items that fit the aesthetic.
Minimalism is a popular home aesthetic, and it embodies the saying that “less is more.” With very plain, straightforward colors and designs, minimalist houses are classy and timeless. They also tend to look more open and calm because they are not crowded with several items or designs. Some recommended furniture for this look are white couches, white bed sheets, just a few things on the wall, and some potted plants. At the end of the day, it’s a style that you can’t really go wrong with.
Home decor does not have to break the bank, and Amazon is a convenient, affordable place to shop for many decorations at a time. This mirror is a great minimalist piece because it catches your eye without being overbearing. It only has a wood base, so despite its unconventional shape, it fits in with the rest of a plain room. However, it’s far from boring because of its unique look. The mirror is just $8.90! It has 4 stars and it is “Amazon’s choice.”
Image courtesy of Amazon.
This piece is perfect to put on top of an empty table, desk, counter, or bookshelf. Similar to the mirror, it is plain and neutral while still being thought provoking. It sells for $9.96 on Amazon, and it is “Amazon’s choice.” It also has a 4.5 star rating. To get a feel for the size, it is about four inches tall and two inches wide—small enough to fit nearly anywhere.
The rustic aesthetic is centered around warm tones, stones, and lots of wood. It has a super cozy, homey feel to it. If you were not a fan of the minimalist vibe, then you might appreciate how rustic houses look a lot more olden and lived-in. Some dislike minimalism because it is too sterile or impersonal for their liking, but rustic homes are quite the opposite. Some recommended furniture for a rustic house is wooden tables and chairs, a stone fireplace, red and orange rugs, and quilted bed sheets.
This light is a beautiful addition to a rustic kitchen, specifically right above the island. Since it is made out of log and iron, it definitely has an elegant and comfortable look. The chains are adjustable, so you can tweak the height of the lights as you’d like. It is sold for $162.99, and Walmart offers protection plans at an additional cost. You can choose to ship this item to your home, pick it up at your local Walmart.
These wooden heart bowls are a really adorable piece that can be used for decoration or for holding items. If you use them as kitchen decorations, you could put fruits or veggies in them. If you keep them on a center table, you can use them to hold your keys or anything else you grab on your way out. These bowls are $24, and they are around five inches wide and around one inch tall. PSA: this bowl cannot be used to eat out of or cook in, they are just for decoration!
Making Your House More Personal
As much furniture or decor you acquire, your home still might not feel yours yet. That’s why it’s so important to have items that are unique to you—the most common being family photos. Pictures with your loved ones, of your pets, or from vacation are all little details that elevate the house to a home. If you’d like other ideas on how to make your house more personal, these are some creative ways to make your mark on your new place.
The next time you receive flowers from your significant other or for a special occasion, think twice before you go to throw them away. Pressing flowers is nothing new—it has always been mesmerizing to watch a petal be shut into a book and come out well preserved. If you press your own flowers, you can transfer them onto a canvas or put them straight into a photo frame to make it a piece you can display.
If you want a whole bouquet preserved rather than just a few petals, there are professionals who press and frame bouquets to preserve them. A common use for this is to immortalize a wedding bouquet. If you and your partner are sharing this home, this is a gorgeous way to personalize your home and reflect on an important day in both your lives. This can also be done for flowers that you were gifted at graduation or as a housewarming gift. Regardless, it is an artistic and clever way to hold onto flowers someone got you.
Even if you don't have a single artistic bone in your body, painting something as simple as a flower or a heart is a fun, easy way to spruce up your home. If you make it a full on paint day with your family, everyone can create a piece that will go up on the wall. This is a great way to help kids adjust with a move because you’re making them feel like a valued part of the process.
Last Thoughts on Moving into Your First House!
Moving is often one of the most difficult things you have to go through because you’re leaving what used to be your safe place. However, change is indicative of growth, and this new house holds the potential for even more love and memories. Good luck and congrats on your new home!
