The Top 5 Things I’m Doing to Settle Into Our New Home
Moving into a new house is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Between boxes stacked taller than my kids, decisions about where the silverware should live, and the never-ending hunt for the tape dispenser, it’s easy to feel like “settled” is a far-off dream.
But here’s the truth: settling in isn’t about perfection… it’s about creating small anchors that make a house feel like home, one layer at a time. I’m reminding myself of this daily (sometimes even hourly) that home takes time to curate. It doesn’t happen in a 60 second TikTok or reel you see on social media.
Here are the top five things we’ve been doing to make our space feel warm, welcoming, and uniquely ours.
1. Starting in the Kitchen 🥘
The kitchen has always been the heart of our home, so it’s where I begin every move. Once the pots, pans, and coffee mugs are unpacked, I feel like we can at least survive the chaos. For me, setting up the kitchen brings an immediate sense of normalcy. I can cook dinner, pack lunches, and bake with my kids. If you need help – ask for it! I’ve hired a local moving and organizing company, Tidy Style Home to help me multiple times – I’ve also had friends and family help me unbox and organize the kitchen. Whatever you need to do to get it done, this is where I’d recommend starting.
Pro tip: even if the rest of your home is in shambles, having one functioning room makes a huge difference for your sanity.
2. Tackling the Boxes (Slowly but Surely) 📦
We still have stacks of boxes, but I’ve stopped putting pressure on myself to have it all unpacked in a week, or even a couple of months. Instead, I’m focusing on a “one box a day” approach. It keeps me moving forward without burning out, and it gives me time to actually think about where things belong rather than just stuffing them in drawers. And realistically, with 3 kids (and a very busy toddler) that’s all I can do right now.
This also helps me edit as I go. If I open a box and realize I don’t need what’s inside, I donate it instead of creating clutter in the new house.
3. Adding Custom Drapery & Curtains ✨
Bare windows never feel like home to me, so one of the first personal touches we’ve made is adding custom drapery and curtains. Soft, flowing fabric instantly warms up a space, and it’s amazing how much it changes the entire vibe of a room.
I’ve been mixing timeless pinch-pleat drapes with Roman shades to balance style and function – and yes, even though the boxes aren’t gone, these small design decisions are what make me excited to walk into each room. Eventually, we’ll get around to painting which will add another layer of visual interest but for now we have privacy and a little bit of style with the drapes.
4. Getting Our Hands Dirty in the Yard 🌱
The biggest project so far has been outside. We’ve been working on landscaping full-time, and it’s turned into something more than just “yard work.” What started as us wanting to make the outside of our home inviting has actually grown into a new family business.
There’s something incredibly grounding about planting trees and creating flower beds and garden boxes that you know will grow alongside your family. Even though it’s exhausting, it’s rewarding to see the progress day by day.
5. Creating Family Spaces First 🛋️
Instead of obsessing over the “perfect” entryway or the guest bedroom no one will use for months, we’ve focused on spaces where our family gathers every day—the living room, kitchen, and play areas. We sold our sofa with the sale of our home, so we did need to purchase a new one but in general – I think it’s smart to give it a few months before just going out and purchasing the first thing you think you might want for your space. Learn where the flow of the house seems to be, what spaces are used more or less and what needs the most attention first.
Having cozy places to pile on the couch together, watch a movie, or eat around the table reminds us why we’re here in the first place. Settling in is less about perfectly styled shelves and more about the memories we’re making as we go.
Settling into a new house takes time, and that’s okay. My goal has been to balance progress with patience…layering in the things that make this space feel like us while leaving room for it to evolve.
If you’re moving or just trying to re-ground yourself at home, start with the spaces that matter most to your everyday life. From there, everything else falls into place.
