Make your new house feel like home with these easy, designer-approved upgrades starting at $10

Our featured picks

Stylish lighting that looks vintage

Anthropologie The Eloise Scallop Milk Glass Sconce Wall Light

To establish a signature home scent

Aera Mini Diffuser

Greenery that won't die quickly

The Sill Snake Plant Zeylanica

To give your bland bathroom some personality

Society6 Daily Regina Designs Stripes and Flowers Shower Curtain

Three years ago, I moved to New York City without a permanent living arrangement, determined instead to find an apartment within a month of my arrival. The house-hunting process stressed me out immensely, so when I finally managed to sign a one-year lease, I was elated. The first few nights in my new apartment, however, I couldn’t sleep because there was a pit of dread in my stomach that wouldn’t go away. If you’ve ever moved, you already know this, but it was only after I started furnishing and decorating my space that I felt like I could actually breathe in it. Now, I look back on these memories and know that if I had to relive them, there are certain items I’d introduce into my space right away to make it feel familiar and personal.

If you recently moved or are in the process of moving, I figured I’d share the wisdom to help you settle in quickly. After all, you should feel excited during this milestone, not anxious like I did. For even more ideas on how to make your house feel like home, I reached out to the pros for their advice — namely, interior designers who literally furnish empty homes for a living. This list contains the small, easy upgrades they recommend making right away after moving in so you don’t find yourself homesick in your new home.

Best lighting for a new home

Crate & Barrel Remi Ivory Linen Mini Table Lamp

It takes a while for a home to come together, but one thing you can do right away is establish a spot where you look forward to spending time. “Every home needs at least one spot where you want to curl up with a beverage and a good book at the end of a long day,” Rory Everitt, the founder and lead designer of Rory Everitt Design, said. One thing he recommends is adding a lamp next to your seat instead of using overhead lighting. “Not only will this task lighting be better for illuminating your activities, it will feel cozier because it creates a pool of light around you,” he said. This linen lamp I saw recently at a Crate & Barrel press preview is easy to style and perfect for the job, though if you’re after something more affordable, I have this Beautiful by Drew Barrymore lamp in my living room and love the warm glow it gives my space.

Ikea Stockholm 2025 Pendant Lamp

Don’t just stop at table lamps, though. Ann Lowengart, the CEO and principal designer of Ann Lowengart Interiors, said layered lighting is key to creating a homey space. This means employing multiple light sources so your room has a mix of ambient and functional or task lighting. “Layered lighting is one of the most important elements in any home,” she said. “It adds warmth, depth and flexibility throughout the day.” For a chic pendant lamp to layer in with your floor and task lamps, I recommend checking out Ikea’s selection. There are lots of cool designs, like this wavy linen-blend fixture, that are a great value.

Anthropologie The Eloise Scallop Milk Glass Sconce Wall Light

Larina Kase, the founder and principal designer of Larina Kase Interior Design, agrees that “lighting is the best way to define spaces and provide mood and personality.” If you’re not renting, she suggests installing wall sconces to add more character to a room. (That said, there are also renter-friendly wall sconces, like the ones from Poplight, which CNN Underscored senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus owns and loves.) I’ve long been a fan of this vintage-inspired wall sconce from Anthropologie, which I’d install in my own home if I owned it. It comes in a bunch of colors and instantly catches the eye with its scalloped shade. After all, as Kase said, “Don’t be afraid to go for something a little unique that makes you love the space."

Best furniture for a new home

Pottery Barn Carlisle Chair

Both Everitt and Lowegart are proponents of making a dedicated reading nook, which provides another place to relax besides your bed. A comfortable chair is a must for such a space. “You need something upholstered, with a good cushion that is supportive yet forgiving,” Everitt said. “My personal favorite is an armchair that you can prop your elbows on when enjoying a novel or an iPad.” His description instantly called to mind the Carlisle chair, which is one of the cushiest and most comfortable chairs I sat in while visiting my local Pottery Barn store. Its price is a little steep, but the retailer offers similar styles at a lower price point.

Crfatop Stretch Armchair Slipcover

If you don’t want to splurge on a chair (or you’re holding out until you find the right one), Everitt said you can usually find an armchair on Facebook Marketplace pretty quickly and cover it with a slipcover that matches your home’s aesthetic. He pointed to this stretchy, protective slipcover, which comes in both solid colors and prints. For under $40, it helps make an old chair feel brand-new again.

Article Fiore Side Table

When it comes to the aforementioned reading nook, Everitt suggests creating a “landing zone” for personal items. “This makes it easy to set down your water glass, phone and reading glasses while you’re in your seat,” he said. “Ideally, this should be a decently sized side table, but in a pinch, a drinks table will do.” I love the modern, no-frills design of this wooden side table. My own coffee table is a solid wood table from Article, so I trust the brand’s furniture in terms of both style and durability.

Millwood Pines 24-Pair Shoe Storage Cabinet With Adjustable Shelves

Although many of the best ways to make a new house feel like home entail creating visually beautiful spaces, Kase said you should still prioritize creating functional spaces. “For example, if you don’t have a mudroom, add a cabinet for shoe storage,” she said, emphasizing that furniture with built-in storage is key to avoiding clutter, which tends to abound after a move. You don’t necessarily have to drop a ton of cash to get quality storage furniture; this shoe cabinet from Wayfair’s Verified line has been tested for durability and keeps footwear, umbrellas and other items stored out of sight for a tidy entryway.

Best decor for a new home

The Sill Snake Plant Zeylanica

Don’t underestimate the power of plants if you’re trying to make an empty room feel inviting. “If you have a green thumb, adding plants provides instant warmth and coziness,” Kase said. “If you don’t have a green thumb, plants like philodendrons or snake plants are easy.” The Sill is one of our go-to destinations for plants here at CNN Underscored, both for our own homes and as gifts. And, if you enjoy the look of plants but don’t want to deal with the upkeep, the brand makes some of our favorite artificial plants too.

Terrain Dried Natural Meadow Bouquet

Kase also recommends dried branches in addition to plants, especially if your style leans boho, as they can create an “organic, artistic feel.” Terrain has some of the prettiest dried stems that conveniently come pre-arranged into bouquets. I’ve seen some of them at seasonal press previews and love the idea of switching out the stems based on the time of year. The vase you choose to place them in is another great way to express your personal style in your new space.

Glasshouse Fragrances Kyoto in Bloom Two-Wick Candle

The way you scent your home can have just as big an impact on the way you feel as the lighting and furniture you choose. Lowengart recommends choosing a signature scent, which is what I did after moving into my first apartment. At the time, I bought a fancy candle from a local seller as a housewarming present for myself. Since then, I’ve come to enjoy burning Glasshouse Fragrance’s candles in my home, specifically the Kyoto in Bloom scent because it reminds me of a certain perfume I used to wear and now feel very nostalgic about.

Aera Mini Diffuser

A scent diffuser is another great way to make your home smell good. I’ve had Aera’s diffuser installed in my entryway for a while now, and although the brand has a ton of different scents to choose from, there’s one I’ve come to like that I always keep in my diffuser. Sometimes, I even use the Aera app to schedule it to start working an hour before I come home, so my entryway smells like lavender as soon as I walk in. Some of my friends have even said they now associate the scent with my place.

West Elm Karima Reversible Persian Rug

“Area rugs, window treatments and layered textiles also add warmth, reduce outside noise and create a more comfortable, inviting atmosphere,” Lowegart said. Some of my favorite area rugs are from West Elm, like this Persian-inspired rug I viewed in-store. It’s one of the retailer’s reversible styles, so it’s like getting two rug designs in one, and it’s thin enough to layer on top of other rugs, if you’re looking for more ways to add depth to a basic sitting room.

Ruggable Calabria Flatwoven Rug

In addition to the usual places where you might put a rug, Kase said putting one in spots that don’t necessarily need it can add warmth. She gave the examples of placing a runner in the kitchen or on your stairs. Last year, I tested a washable kitchen runner from Ruggable similar to this one. My kitchen has white counters and light wooden cabinets with no pulls or trim, so the runner’s vibrant colors worked wonders to make the otherwise sterile-looking space feel cozier.

West Elm Build Your Own Gallery Wall

There are very few decorative items that feel more personal than framed photos. That's why Kase suggests adding those to your home as soon as possible. She pointed out that West Elm’s gallery wall service makes it easy to hang multiple family photos in a well-styled display. The product page lets you choose from nine preconfigured frame sets, so you don’t have to worry about whether the final layout will be cohesive.

Acovy Picture Frames, 3-Pack

“Nothing is as boring — or as uninspiring — as a blank wall,” Everitt said. “A good starting point is to print out some of your favorite pictures and put them in simple frames purchased from Amazon.” I did this in my apartment with frames similar to these, and even though I’d consider upgrading to nicer frames in the future, the low-budget frames still do a nice enough job of showcasing some of my favorite prints so my white walls don’t stay empty.

Silvia Vassileva Lily Pond II Wall Art

“For my clients who are interested in investing a few hundred dollars in some long-term art, I look first to Great Big Canvas for reasonably priced, good-looking options in a variety of styles,” Everitt said. Despite the retailer's name, it carries artworks of all sizes, both remakes of classic artists like Gustav Klimt and Claude Monet and contemporary artists that can expose you to new styles you might like.

Eleganza Home Textiles Woven Wall Tapestry

Finally, consider adding artwork to your home that isn’t a traditional print or painting. Everitt gave the example of finding a woven wall hanging on Etsy. There are so many options from independent vendors on the site; I adore the style of this one and think it could add some much-needed texture and color to a sparse wall.

Best bedding and bath products for a new home

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw

As basic as it sounds, soft textiles can transform any seat in your home from a neutral space into one where you can’t wait to spend time after a long day. “There is nothing I love more than settling into my favorite chair in the early morning and wrapping a soft blanket around my legs,” Everitt said. It doesn’t hurt to stock your linen closet with throw blankets for every room, such as this one our editors like from Barefoot Dreams. It's ultra-cozy but designed not to shrink or pill.

L.L.Bean Organic Honeycomb Matelassé Bedspread

A bed is one of the things you need in your new home immediately upon moving in, but Everitt said outfitting it with bedding you like is the ultimate comfort upgrade. “My favorites are from L.L.Bean, as they offer a premium experience without breaking the bank,” he said. “Crisp sheets and a colorful bedspread are a treat in summer; flannel sheets and a soft-to-the-touch down comforter transform a basic bed into a pleasurable respite.” He pointed to this honeycomb-pattern bedspread as an example of a covering that looks as great as it feels. Plus, it works for all seasons.

Society6 Daily Regina Designs Stripes and Flowers Shower Curtain

Whereas getting bedding that speaks to your style might seem obvious, Everitt said you can also “add personal touches to your bathroom to make it feel more ‘you,’” suggesting a fun shower curtain or bath mat to make your morning routine feel like less of a slog. His go-to retailers for colorful and unique styles are Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Society6, where you can find thousands of striking shower curtain prints for every aesthetic.

More ways to make a new house feel like home

Shop vintage or secondhand

All the designers I spoke to emphasized the importance of shopping secondhand, both for finding one-of-a-kind pieces and, alternatively, for affordable temporary furnishings. “If you’re short on budget, I recommend looking around local vintage stores and Facebook Marketplace for items that fill a need,” Everitt said. “When you’re ready to swap in your forever pieces, you can resell those same items for about the same price you paid for them.” The designers I spoke to agree that you should invest in larger furniture pieces you plan on keeping for a long time, like a sofa or dining table. These items could take longer to acquire; in the meantime, you can at least partially furnish your home with accent pieces.

Lowegart specifically likes Chairish for finding bargains on unique, often secondhand furniture and decor that’s immediately available. (I’ve been eyeing the retailer’s whimsical art selection recently, myself.) “It’s an easy way to create a home that feels personal from day one while still leaving room to collect pieces you truly love over time,” she said.

Additionally, older furniture is often better-made than contemporary furniture, which is why Kase recommends scoping out Etsy or local consignment stores first. “If possible, ask parents or grandparents for heirloom items, or go to a thrift store and find pieces that remind you of home or how you want to feel in your home,” she added. You can usually repurpose old furniture with a new cushion or coat of paint, which not only extends its life but also makes it feel more tailored to your personal style.

Create niches and nooks

I’ve already touched on this, but it can be helpful to create smaller spaces throughout your home that are designed for different activities. Kase cited examples like “a cozy reading nook with a floor lamp or wall sconce, or a relaxing bath space for bubble baths with a little side table and aromatherapy.”

One of her favorite ways to achieve this is by implementing custom built-ins, like a desk with surrounding bookcases or built-in bench seating for a kitchen table. Changes like these will obviously take more time and work than merely adding decor and require you to make more permanent changes, but they’re effective at making your home feel more personal long-term.

Spruce up temporary furnishings

You can’t always acquire all of your dream furniture immediately after moving into a new home. After all, moving is expensive, and sometimes you want to hold out for the right pieces. In such cases, there’s nothing wrong with making the most of what you’ve got, even if it’s not your “forever furniture.”

Kase gave the example of dressing up a drab metal bed frame with cute bedding until you can buy your dream wood or upholstered frame. Additionally, she said she’s had clients who decorated their folding tables with pretty tablecloths, candles and floral arrangements while waiting for a nicer dining table. “Knowing that something you will love forever is coming soon makes the temporary pieces manageable and even enjoyable,” she said.

Meet our experts

For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:

• Rory Everitt, founder and lead designer of Rory Everitt Design
• Larina Kase, founder and principal designer of Larina Kase Interior Design
• Ann Lowengart, CEO and principal designer of Ann Lowengart Interiors

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this article, CNN Underscored’s associate home and gifts editor Nikol Slatinska talked to three interior designers about quick, easy ways to make a new house feel like home. She also considered her own move to a new city and what she did to feel more comfortable in a new apartment.

Some information for this report was gathered via edition.cnn.com.