There’s nothing quite like moving into a new place. The excitement is real, but sometimes it doesn’t feel 'yours' right away. If you’re wondering how to make a house feel like a home, the good news is you don’t need a huge budget or months of renovation. With the right mix of practical steps and personal touches, you can make your house home quickly and comfortably.

Here’s how to bring warmth, personality and ease to your space, fast!

Step 1: Start with a clean slate

Before you unpack, it’s worth giving your home a deep clean. Freshly scrubbed floors, sparkling bathrooms and dust-free cupboards immediately shift a place from 'someone else’s' to 'yours'.

• House cleaning: Book house cleaning professionals on Bark to get your new place spotless before moving in.
• Carpet cleaning: You wouldn't believe how much dirt, dust and grime lives in carpets, so to make your new home feel truly clean, consider hiring carpet cleaners! 
• Oven cleaning: Previous owners and tenants often overlook cleaning the oven and grill, but getting them professionally cleaned can make all the difference to feeling comfortable in your new space.

If you’ve got any small repairs, holes to patch or walls to paint, handymen can take care of those finishing touches before you move furniture in.

Now you’re house is clean, it’s time to make it your home.

Book house cleaning professionals

Step 2: Sort out your furniture 

A new space is the perfect way to get out your interior design dreams, and layout your house in the exact way you’ve always wanted. Here are some key tips: 

• Think balance, not symmetry: Your furniture doesn’t need to be perfectly symmetrical, but there should be visual balance. For example, if you have a large sofa on one side of the room, offset it with a tall plant, lamp or bookshelf on the other.
• Use professionals for tricky setups: If you’re not confident in layout, hiring a home styling expert or interior designer through Bark can help you make the most of your furniture and space. They can advise on layout, colour coordination and how to tie your pieces together for a polished finish.
• If you don’t want to build all your new furniture, call in the pros for assembly and adjustments: When it comes to the practical side, flat pack furniture builders, handymen and TV mounting specialists can ensure everything is installed safely and positioned correctly. 

Step 3: Add your familiar comforts

Once your furniture is up, one of the fastest ways to make a new house feel like home is to surround yourself with familiar items.

• Unpack your bedding and favourite cushions first, comfort creates instant warmth.
• Hang up family photos or artwork straight away to put your stamp on the walls.
• Keep a few favourite mugs or kitchen items at the front of your unpacking list.

Step 4: Layer with textures and scents

Your senses are powerful tools in turning a house into a home, so add interior design to your home with textures and scents. Mixing materials and finishes adds depth and makes your home more inviting.

Different textures and materials can add dimensions and uniqueness to your home: 

• Introduce wood, stone and rattan for a grounded, organic look. A wooden coffee table, bamboo blinds or a jute rug creates a calm and natural vibe.
• Touches of brass, chrome or matte black through light fixtures, table legs or decor accessories. Metals bring a bit of shine and sophistication that balances soft textures.
• Glass, acrylic and mirrors introduce smooth, reflective surfaces that contrast beautifully with soft fabrics and raw materials. 
• Plants add movement and freshness. Mix leafy greens with structured succulents or trailing vines for layers of natural texture.
• Add rugs and throws to soften empty rooms. Rugs don’t just add softness, they define spaces and make large rooms feel cosier. Layer different materials, such as a flat-woven rug under a plush one, to create depth.
• Cushions, throws and upholstered furniture in fabrics like cotton, velvet, linen or wool. These add instant warmth and a 'homey' feel (which are perfect for lounges and bedrooms).
• Add candles everywhere, or essential oil diffusers with scents you already associate with comfort.
• Use warm lighting (lamps and soft bulbs) instead of harsh overhead lights (a rule is we never ever ever turn on the main lights!)

Step 5: Create functional spaces

Unpacking can feel overwhelming, but setting up key spaces early makes a huge difference. When you move into a new home, it’s tempting to focus on how everything looks, but functionality is what makes a space livable. A functional space supports your routines, saves time and makes daily life smoother. Here’s tips for each room: 

• Bedroom: The bedroom should prioritise sleep and relaxation, think; blackout curtains, good lighting and clutter-free surfaces.
• Kitchen: The kitchen should make cooking easy, with appliances positioned logically and enough counter space.
• Living area: The living area should have comfortable seating arranged for conversation or entertainment.
• Carve out a small corner for work or relaxation, even if the rest of the house is still in boxes.

A handyman or flat pack builder can help you reconfigure your space quickly whenever life shifts.

Step 6: Add your personal touch

The details are what transform a house into your home, these personal touches make sure your personality comes through across your home. From your music tastes, to your type of humour, or maybe your love for sport! Here are some tips: 

• Showcase what matters: Your home should tell your story. Display photographs, travel souvenirs, art you love, or even heirlooms that mean something to you.
• Bring in your scent: Smell has powerful emotional associations. Candles, diffusers or fresh flowers can instantly make a space feel familiar. 
• Fit your habits: True comfort comes from functionality that fits your habits. Set up a reading nook if you love quiet evenings or create a coffee station if mornings are your sacred time.
• Shelving: Add open shelving in the kitchen for favourite mugs or cookbooks. Style shelves with books, plants or ornaments that reflect your personality.

A handyman or carpenter can help you install custom shelves, lighting or built-in storage to make these zones feel truly your own.

Step 7: Don’t forget the practicalities

Feeling at home isn’t just about cushions and candles—it’s also about peace of mind.

• Lawyers and solicitors: If you’ve just purchased, make sure all contracts and settlements are finalised by a trusted lawyer or solicitor on Bark.
• Wills and estate planning: Buying a property is a good reminder to update or create your will. Find wills and estate planning experts on Bark to protect your family and your new asset.

Taking care of these essentials helps you relax into your home knowing everything is sorted.

To summarise 

If you’re asking yourself how to make a house feel like a home, remember it doesn’t need to be perfect from day one. A mix of practical steps, like cleaning and organising, and personal touches—like photos, scents and textures—will help you feel settled fast.

And when you need trusted professionals, from house cleaning to legal support and estate planning, Bark helps you hire the right expert, every time.