10 Inexpensive Ways to Make Your New House a Home

The boxes have been unpacked, the dishes have been put away and your clothes are hanging in the closet, but your new house still doesn’t quite feel like your own. Below are 10 inexpensive and fun ways to make your new house a home.

Paint
The easiest and most inexpensive way to change the look of a room is paint. Go through each room and decide how you want it to feel. Do you want it to be relaxing, inviting, soothing, cheerful? Once you’ve decided on a mood, head to the local paint store, select some colors and go for it.

Linens
New towels are a great way to spruce up and personalize a bathroom. Rich colors and plush materials make the space feel new and luxurious without costing a lot of money.

Photos
Personal photos can be the best way to personalize a new house, so scatter them throughout your home. If you have lots of bare walls to cover, consider pulling out some of the photos you have stashed away in those albums people never see and create a photo collage that can be framed and hung on the wall.

Candles
The lighting in a room can directly affect its mood. One of the best ways to make a place feel cozy and warm is to add candles. The soft, flickering light they give off creates an inviting, lived-in atmosphere.

Greenery
There is nothing more inviting than walking into a home and seeing a fresh bouquet of flowers or a healthy green plant. Adding living things is an inexpensive way to bring “life” to a home.

Flea Markets
These can be wonderful places to find inexpensive items for your house. Adding unique, one-of-a-kind objects and decorations to your new home will make it feel like yours and yours alone.

Curtains
Adding curtains is a great way to express your own personal style. They help define a room and make it feel put together. An inexpensive alternative to custom curtains is to drape large flat bed sheets from a basic rod mounted on the wall.

Rugs
Inexpensive rugs may not be soft enough to put on the floor and walk on, but they do make great decorations for large walls. The distinctive patterns, colors and textures found in rugs bring a unique feel to a room and are fantastic alternatives to expensive paintings.

Find Your Inner Picasso
There is no better way to personal your new home than by creating the art pieces and decorations yourself. Head to the local art supply store for paints, brushes, an easel and some canvases, and then let your creative juices flow.

Use What You Have
Your great grandmother’s quilt, an old guitar, your child’s framed sports uniform, leather bound books – just about anything can be hung on a wall or displayed on a shelf. By using your imagination and things lying around the house, you’ll create a meaningful space for no money at all.

Take a Walk
One of the best ways to get settled in a new home is to leave it! Step outside and take a walk around the neighborhood. Where is the closest bus stop? Is there a park close by? Can you walk to the local market if you run out of milk? Familiarizing yourself with your new area will make you feel more at home.