Just Like Home: How to Make Your Temporary Housing Your Own.

Friday, October 28, 2016

You’ve spent countless dollars and years making your home just the way you want. And it’s a never-ending process. Your home is uniquely you. Moving to an already furnished apartment because of a job change or other life circumstance has a lot of perks: not a lot of packing and unpacking; lower costs; more convenience; no need to hire a moving company. But being surrounded by furniture and decor that doesn’t fit your style can often pose some challenges. The good news is, there are a number of ways that you can make your temporary housing feel like your own home. Follow Your Nose. They say smells can trigger memories, so why not use your sense of smell to bring a piece of home along with you? Pack your favorite candles and scent diffusers and light them throughout your new place. A homey apple pie or pumpkin spice scent in the kitchen or a clean linen or lavender scent in the bathroom will conjure up memories of home cooking and fresh laundry from your days back at home. Bring Along Knick Knacks. Try to pack a few items from home that are easy to transport: small pictures, a favorite blanket or small rug, your favorite books and photo albums, even your favorite coffee mug and local ground coffee. Many of these types of items don’t take up a lot of room, but pictures of family or your favorite throw on the couch can help make your temporary housing feel more like home every day. Brighten Up. Plants and flowers can add brightness to a room instantly, plus they can make any space feel more personal. Consider picking up a fresh bouquet of flowers for your kitchen table. Or opt for an easy-to-maintain house plant like a jade, spider plant, or Christmas cactus. They’re all durable, easy to grow, and don’t require much care. Everyone has their own style and knows what makes them comfortable. Just because you’re living in a temporary apartment doesn’t mean everything has to stay exactly the way you found it. Try rearranging the furniture to better suit your comfort level and needs. Add a small side table or a rug to add an even more personal touch. Keep trying new layouts until you find what works for you. Spending a few weeks or even a year away from home doesn’t mean your temporary housing has to feel cold and impersonal. With a little creativity and some of these tips, you can easily make your new space your own.