When you move into a new home, you might feel a little intimidated by figuring out how to fill up a giant empty house. If your new property feels like an empty model home, it’s time to learn how you can take on a few DIY projects to make your house a reflection of your style and aesthetic. Keep reading to learn about the best ways to make your home feel cozy and lived in.
Before you get started: Determine your financing
If you’re planning on just making small changes and repairs to your home, you probably won’t need to think about your cash flow beyond tweaking your budget. But if you’re hoping for large repairs or a remodel, you’ll need to figure out how you’re going to pay for it.
In the military or a veteran? Consider getting a VA purchase loan for great rates and excellent repayment terms. If you have a lot of equity built up in your home already as the result of a large down payment, you may qualify for a home equity loan. A home equity loan involves borrowing against the equity or ownership stake you’ve built up in your property. In these types of loans, your home serves as collateral should you default on your loan.
Another type of home equity loan is a home equity line of credit or HELOC. In a HELOC, you get a line of credit you can draw from (and replenish) for a set period of time. After the draw period is over, you’ll begin the repayment phase of the loan.
Besides home equity loans and VA loans, you can also consider a personal loan, PACE financing (if it’s available in your state), and FHA loans. It’s important to sit down and crunch the numbers to figure out what kind of financial product makes the most sense for your personal circumstances.
Integrate technology to make your home feel comfortable
Although you might not immediately jump to technology when you think about making your property feel more “homey” – it’s an important part of your day-to-day life. Consider investing in a Nest thermostat so your home is always at a comfortable temperature. Plus, Nest thermostats also avoid unnecessarily wasting energy by sensing unoccupied spaces. You’ll never have to worry about forgetting to turn off your AC mid-commute.
You can also use smart home devices and Google apps to connect your lighting or voice-activate your stereo, a benefit you can leverage when your hands are full of groceries or otherwise busy.
Add soft surfaces
If you’re moving into your first place, you may have to skimp on buying all-new furniture. With that said, mixing and matching new furniture pieces with flea market and thrift store finds can actually make your home feel more interesting and homier. Check out Etsy for handmade pieces and don’t forget to stop by local garage sales where you might be able to find a diamond in the rough.
To soften your home’s interiors, try to invest in plush accessories. Throw pillows, fuzzy, faux-fur rugs, and cotton throws are all good additions to your décor. You can choose neutral furniture pieces and add in pops of colors with well-placed, bright accessories. 
Add warm, inviting colors
Paint is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to transform your home. You can choose calm, neutral colors like grey or light blue. Or, you can add in some accent walls with muted rust tones or yellow to warm up a space.
If you don’t want to paint, there are also plenty of wallpaper designs available that you can peel and stick directly on your wall. The best part? Many of them don’t have adhesives so you can take them down as easily as you put them up.
Conclusion: Your dream home is a few steps away
Buying a new home is an exiting time period that represents a major life accomplishment for much of the adult population. With that said, buying a home is just one part of the equation. You also need to furnish it and take the time to ensure it’s actually livable. With these tips, you can make your house a cozy dream home.