10 Decor Pieces That Feel Right After the First Week at Home
It’s common for the first week in a new place to be a blur of cardboard boxes and problems with getting things done. But interior designers and psychologists who work with homes say that the change from “house” to “home” happens when the senses are finally engaged. Experts say that the first week is the most important time to help people feel like they belong by giving them things that make them feel better right away and make things look neat.
Big pieces of furniture are important, but it’s often the smaller, more tactile things that make a person feel at home in a new place. Professional organizers and decorators say that the goal of early decoration should be to get rid of the “sterile” look of bare walls and empty surfaces.
Experts say that the right decorations can help lower cortisol levels, which naturally rise during a move. You can trick your brain into feeling at home even if half of your stuff is still in storage by focusing on things that smell good, feel soft, and give off warmth. These pieces make the second week feel much more stable by bridging the gap between a temporary living situation and a permanent home.
1. High-Quality Textured Throw Blankets
A high-quality throw blanket is often the first thing designers tell you to take out of the box. In addition to keeping you warm, the texture of a chunky knit or a soft cashmere blend adds a layer of softness to a room full of furniture with sharp angles.Experts say that putting a blanket over a bed or sofa right away tells the brain that the space is safe and lived-in. Textile experts say that the weight of a heavy throw can also help you feel more grounded, which makes it an important tool for relaxing after a long day of unpacking.
Interior designers say that to make a comfortable focal point, you should pick a color that is a little different from the color of your seating. Experts say that spending money on high-quality natural fibers is worth it because they last longer and feel more real than synthetic ones. When you sit down in a new living room for the first time, having a soft, familiar texture to pull over your shoulders can make the new space feel more comfortable right away. It is a simple, portable decoration that means a lot to the person who lives there during the first week.
2. Signature Scented Soy Candles
Because smell is more closely linked to memory and emotion than any other sense, a signature scent is a great way to settle in. Professional stagers and real estate agents often use certain scents to make a property feel welcoming. Experts say you should keep doing this after you move in. Experts in home fragrances say that soy-based candles with natural essential oils burn more cleanly and have a more subtle, sophisticated scent.
Lighting a candle on your first night in a new home helps you “claim” the space through smell.
To make sure the scent spreads evenly throughout the house, designers say to put candles in places where people walk by a lot, like the entryway or the coffee table.
Experts say that using the same scent every day for the first week can help you feel more at home in your new place and lower your anxiety about moving. The soft flicker of a flame adds to the calming effects of the scent, whether you like the earthy notes of sandalwood or the fresh smell of citrus. It is a small luxury that changes the mood of a room in just a few minutes.
3. Large Scale Indoor Potted Plants
Nothing makes a new home feel more alive than plants. Interior landscapers and designers say that plants give a space an instant “lived-in” look that fake decorations can’t match. Experts say that bigger plants, like a Fiddle Leaf Fig or a Monstera, can fill in empty corners that are often left over before all of your furniture arrives. Environmental psychologists say that having plants around can also make the air inside your home cleaner and lift your spirits, which is especially helpful during the first week of a move when you have to do a lot of physical work.
If you’re still busy with the logistics of moving in, professional plant stylists suggest starting with plants that don’t need much care. Experts say that taking care of and watering a living thing in your new space can help you get into a routine and feel responsible for your new home. The organic shapes and bright greens of the leaves are a nice change from the industrial look of moving boxes and packing tape. It is a colorful, changing piece of decor that grows with you as you settle into your new home.
4. Oversized Decorative Floor Mirrors
During the first week, a lot of homes seem smaller or more cluttered than they really are because of the boxes and piles of stuff that aren’t organized. Interior designers say that a big floor mirror is a “secret weapon” for making a room feel bigger and more purposeful. Experts say that putting a big mirror against a wall can reflect light and make a small room feel more open and airy.
This update is especially useful in bedrooms and entryways where there isn’t much natural light.
Architects and designers say that the frame of the mirror should match the style you want to achieve. For example, if you want a simple look, you might choose a thin metal frame. If you want a more rustic look, you might choose a wooden frame.
Experts say that mirrors can also be used as “wall art” that doesn’t require you to drill holes in a new wall right away. A mirror makes the newly decorated parts of your room look better and shows how far you’ve come in setting up your home. It is a useful and beautiful piece that makes an unfinished space look more grand and polished.
5. Plush Natural Fiber Area Rugs
Bare floors can make a new house feel cold and echoey, which adds to the feeling of being temporary. Professional flippers and interior designers say that a soft area rug is necessary to separate spaces in a room and soak up sound. Experts say that rugs made from natural fibers like wool or jute are the best choice for areas with a lot of foot traffic because they last a long time and are easy to clean. Putting down a rug in the first week gives your furniture a solid base and makes the floor feel softer on your feet, which is a big improvement over cold tile or hardwood.
To make everything look like it belongs together, designers say you should choose a rug size that is big enough to fit under the front legs of all your main seating pieces. Experts say that a rug with a subtle pattern can also help hide the little bits of dust and dirt that tend to build up when you move in. A rug’s warm colors help to tie the room together and make the transition between the walls and the floor feel more planned and complete. It can change the look of a room in just one afternoon.
6. Curated Coffee Table Book Stacks
When the big furniture is in place, the surfaces can look very empty and unkempt. Professional organizers and stylists say that stacks of coffee table books can add height, color, and personality to a room. Experts say that picking books that show your interests, like art, travel, or history, makes your home feel like it’s your own.
Experts say that books aren’t just for reading. They can also be used to make “vignettes” that look like they were designed by a professional by putting small things or candles on top of them.
Interior designers say that stacking books in groups of three or five gives a look that is balanced and looks good.
Experts say that taking off the dust jackets can often show off beautiful cloth bindings that make your decor look more expensive and timeless. A carefully chosen stack of books adds a classy touch to your home without the need for any installation. This is especially useful during the first week when you might not have time to hang pictures. It’s a simple way to let everyone who comes to your new home know what you like and do.
7. Dimmable Ambient Table Lamps
The way we see the size and comfort of a room is greatly affected by the lighting. Lighting designers and contractors often say that the “big light” or overhead fixture isn’t the best way to make a room feel cozy at night. Experts say that adding a few table lamps with warm-toned bulbs lets you change the “mood” of the room as the sun goes down. People really like dimmable lamps because they make it easy to change the mood of a room from bright and functional to soft and relaxing.
Interior design experts say that putting lamps at different heights will make the light look layered and get rid of dark corners. Experts say that the base of the lamp should be seen as a piece of art that adds to the room’s look even when the light is off. During the first week, when you are probably tired from moving, being able to turn off the harsh overhead lights and retreat into a soft, amber glow can help you relax a lot. This is a simple electrical update that makes any room feel more expensive and planned.
8. Framed Personal Photographs and Art
The faces of loved ones or favorite works of art are the best things to help someone feel at home in a new place. Professional organizers say that putting a few framed photos on a shelf or mantel can help you feel better right away, even if you’re not ready to commit to a gallery wall. Experts say that having personal things in a new house makes it feel less “alien” by surrounding you with memories that are familiar to you.
Experts say that even casual photos can look like professional decor if you choose high-quality frames in a color that goes with everything. Designers say that art doesn’t always have to be hung up to be effective. A large canvas leaning against a wall or a small frame leaning against a stack of books is a trendy and low-pressure way to show off art.
Experts say that seeing things in your new home that remind you of your past helps your brain quickly decide that the space is “safe.” It is a strong psychological tool that makes a generic room into a story about you. This small act of making things more personal is often what makes the house feel “right” at the end of the first week.
9. Decorative Storage Baskets and Bins
There will be a lot of mess in the first week, but it doesn’t have to be seen. Professional organizers say that you should use decorative woven baskets or stylish bins to keep all the random things that don’t have a permanent home yet. Experts say that these containers do two things: they hide the mess and add a natural, organic feel to your decor. Experts say that using baskets made from seagrass or water hyacinth adds a “boho-chic” touch that makes modern or industrial furniture look softer.
The people in charge say that each room should have its own basket for things that belong in other rooms. This makes the nightly “reset” go much faster and more smoothly. Experts say that baskets are also great for keeping extra blankets or throw pillows near the couch so you can easily get to them. When you replace ugly plastic moving bins with beautiful woven ones, you’re saying that the “storage phase” of the move is over and the “living phase” has begun. This update is useful because it makes your new space both functional and beautiful.
10. Luxurious High-Thread-Count Bedding
The bedroom should be the first room you finish completely because getting enough sleep is important for getting over the stress of moving. Experts in sleep and interior design agree that the best things you can buy in the first week are sheets with a high thread count and a soft duvet. Experts say that clean, crisp bedding can make even a room full of boxes feel like a hotel.
Experts say that picking a light, neutral color for your bedding can help the room feel bigger and more peaceful. Designers say that you should use a mix of pillows with different levels of firmness to make the bed look layered and inviting.
Experts say that “making the bed” properly every morning helps you feel more in control and organized in a new place. When the rest of the house is a mess, having one well-kept and cozy place to go at night is priceless. This is the best way to take care of yourself during a busy transition. It will make sure you wake up feeling rested and ready to finish the rest of your move.
