Buying a new home is exciting, especially when you’re able to look at it as a blank canvas. Whether you closed the deal on a “fixer-upper” or the house you purchased was move-in ready, you probably already have things in mind you’d like to do or change to make the space feel more like the home of your dreams.

 

Unfortunately, all of that dreaming can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with construction and/or remodeling.

 

Thankfully, there are plenty of new home projects you can tackle on your own that require little to no remodeling experience. Often, you can rely on your creativity and knack for interior design to change the look and feel of a home environment.

 

With that in mind, let’s look at a few easy decorating and design projects you can start right away to make your new house feel more like home.

Make It Your Sanctuary

Home should always be a place you can come to for rest and relaxation. It should feel like a sanctuary from the outside world, providing you comfort on exceptionally stressful days.

 

There are countless things you can do to create a calm and relaxing environment in your new home, starting with the colors you choose to paint the walls. Utilize color psychology to give each room a different “feel.” The most calming colors include

 

• Blue
• Green
• Violet
• Gray
• Yellow

 

If you’re not up to painting, consider mixing and matching these colors in your decor. You can utilize different pieces of furniture, throws, pillows, and art pieces to bring calming colors into different areas of your house. Yellow, for example, is a great option for the kitchen, as it's warm and inviting, while blue might work better for the bedroom to help you relax and fall asleep faster.

 

You should also consider going the natural route when it comes to making your home a sanctuary. Let in as much light as possible by keeping your window shades open, don’t allow too much clutter to let you feel overwhelmed or stressed, and give your mental wellness a boost by putting houseplants in several rooms.

 

If you have plants from your previous home, you can transplant them easily by making sure they always have optimal growing conditions and packing them in containers that won’t allow for soil spillage. Bringing them to your new place is a great way to feel more familiar with things right away, and plants are natural stress-reducers!

Recycle and Repurpose

After purchasing a new home, you might not be in a place financially to buy all new furniture and decor. Thankfully, with a bit of creativity, you can stay within your budget and design a home with recycled and repurposed items.

 

Using furniture you already have or visiting thrift stores and garage sales, you can change the look, feel, or purpose of an item by trying things like

 

• Refinishing to look new or old
• Reupholstering
• Taking away or adding elements to create a new function
• Incorporating new accents into old pieces

 

Not only will repurposing items help you stay within budget, but it’s also better for the planet. It cuts down on waste and the energy used to produce new things, so letting your creativity shine is something you can feel good about. Plus, you never know what “treasures” you’ll find when you go shopping for second-hand items. You might end up discovering a piece of furniture or decor that will fit perfectly in your new space.

 

Vintage homes and pieces of furniture are incredibly “in style” nowadays. Don’t feel like you have to completely upgrade or update some of the charming characteristics found in old farmhouses or cottages. Sometimes, they might just need a good cleaning or a fresh coat of paint. You can give antique furniture a second life in a modern era just by knowing how to properly restore it.

Get Outside

You might not be worried about curb appeal anymore since you’ve probably already sold your previous home. However, don’t forget to make the exterior of your new home part of your dream, as well!

 

Spending time outside is great for your mental and physical well-being. It can reduce stress, improve your mood, and give you more energy. Creating a backyard sanctuary will encourage you to spend more time outdoors. Whether you want to set up an outdoor office to work from home or the perfect spot for entertaining friends and family, you don’t have to have much design experience to get the job done.

 

The setup you choose for your outdoor space will largely depend on what you want to use it for. However, there are a few key components you should consider no matter what, including

 

• Lighting
• Furniture
• Layout
• Decor
• Extras (games for entertaining, a desk for work, etc.)

 

You can also turn your yard into your personal garden space. It’s another amazing way to boost your health benefits and lead a more relaxing lifestyle. These are all simple ways to transform your outdoor space without blowing your budget or spending a lot of time.

How to Get Your Projects Done

When you’re excited to start tackling home projects, start small. Moving is no easy task, and the last thing you want is to overwhelm yourself by biting off more than you can chew.

 

Make a list of your priorities and decide which things need to get done first. As you check more items off of that list, you’ll be more motivated to keep going as you see your home start to transform.

 

It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to do everything on your own. Some home projects shouldn’t be DIY’d. Don’t try to work on your own bathroom plumbing, remove chipped paint, or replace an electrical panel. When in doubt, a good rule of thumb is to call a professional.

 

The new home projects listed here are meant to help you expand your design knowledge and let your personality come through. With a little bit of time and effort, you can use everything from a fresh coat of paint to repurposed furniture to make your new home into a space you’ve always dreamed about.