Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a veteran house-flipper looking to make a profit on your latest show home, you know the importance of having a great-looking property. More and more young couples, families, and retirees are choosing to escape Brooklyn and head for the countryside in New York and New Jersey. Homes are affordable, the lifestyle is slower, and the cost of living is typically much lower, so it makes sense that many urbanites are finding the rural life more enticing. Even if you still have a lengthy commute, it might be worth it to buy outside of the city.

However, if you hope to get a profit on your home, you’ll have to put in a bit of work. Most older homes need some tender loving care and require more attention than what many full-time workers can afford. If you’ve decided to go ahead and tackle a home renovation project, you’ll learn a lot and the rewards will be noticeable. Not only will it ultimately increase the value of your home, but having an elegant and well-decorated home can boost feelings of confidence, contentment, and gratitude. Everyone feels happier when they’re surrounded by beauty.

Few properties look flawless right away. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of your new home, don’t panic. You purchased your home because you believed in its potential, even if it’s a bit of a fixer-upper. If you love your upstate New York farmhouse, there’s no need to move back into a rented space in the city or get co-op insurance in New Jersey. Any house, in any condition, can feel like a home with a few personal aesthetic touches. Use the following simple tips to make your new home move-in ready.

• Decorate with sentimental objects.

If you’re the adventurous type, you’ve probably gathered a few souvenirs throughout the years. Instead of shoving them all in a cardboard box to gather dust, you can put them on display and integrate them seamlessly into your home decor. It’s easy to spruce up a tired room by decorating with a few souvenirs, knick-knacks, or tokens that you’ve collected on your travels. They add a personal, unique touch, and are a surefire way to break the ice when you throw your housewarming party.

You can decorate with sentimental items in a subtle way or go all out. It’s entirely up to you. Whether you want to DIY yourself a travel box or simply decorate with your mementos in a stylish way, many of the world’s most creative individuals believe in the value of surrounding yourself with tangible reminders of where you’ve been. It creates a feeling of peace, wonder, and longing to get out and adventure more. Even hanging a large wall map in your bedroom can inspire feelings of wanderlust. If your travel budget is low, seeing this kind of visual encouragement to work harder can be very beneficial.

• Give yourself privacy.

As housing becomes increasingly scarce and new neighbourhoods more crowded, it might seem impossible to find privacy, especially if you live in an urban area. While we recommend getting to know your neighbours, because they can come in handy in a crisis, if you’re the introverted type, you might prefer to keep to yourself, and that’s okay. Simple strategies can be implemented to keep your living space as private as possible without appearing disrespectful to your neighbours.

Flowers and hedges surrounding your porch or patio can give the illusion of privacy without constructing a fence. Not only are large plants ideal for privacy, they emit a sweet smell that will make your lazy nights on the porch all the more enticing. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of people seeing into your house at night, a good pair of shutters can solve the problem. These stylish plantation shutters in Melbourne are one of the number one choices amongst landlords and homeowners along the Gold Coast.

• Take time for yourself.

Moving is hard work. Most of us fail to realize just how much stuff we own until we’re forced to uproot and ship all of it into a different location. Even the least materialistic among us find moving stressful, and if you’re like most people, you’ll probably be ready to collapse onto the nearest solid surface by the time you’re done unloading all your boxes from the moving van.

There’s no getting around it—we know it’s a lengthy and exhausting process. You deserve to kick back and unwind after a long day of unpacking, so know your limits and don’t feel guilty about giving yourself a break. (And if you’re over 21, we won’t judge you if you hit up a liquor store Woodbridge, NJ way.) Whether you choose to unwind in the den with a movie and Chinese takeout or on the porch watching the fireflies, a few hours of relaxation the night before you begin the renovation process is a great way to be sure you are in optimal physical and mental condition for the days and weeks ahead.

• Set aside a workspace.

It’s easy to become so consumed by your renovation project that you lose track of your other pressing responsibilities. Adulthood is all about balance. If you’re a first-time homeowner you’re likely a young professional or student, so you should make it a priority to set aside a small space to work in.

Make sure it’s in a well-lit, well-ventilated part of the house, so you aren’t too cold, too hot, or too cramped. Studies show that you are most productive in optimally lit atmospheres which allow your creativity to flourish and your circadian rhythm to function properly. In other words, your sleep schedule will get steadily better. If your work area isn’t near a window, set up a small desk lamp. If you’re used to working in the dark, you’ll instantly see the benefits.

If you thought having a home office was only for the privileged, think again! Everyone can benefit from having a special place set aside just for them to get their work or studies done. Even if your home doesn’t have a designated “office,” per se, you can get creative and transform any small corner of the house into your work or study space. If you’re a full-time office employee and you never work from home, you might feel sluggish and slow mentally after a long work day. It’s important to keep your mind active. With your own work space, you might feel inspired to go back to school. Take advantage of accredited online degree programs and keep learning.

• Throw a housewarming party.

Housewarming parties are lots of fun for you and your guests alike. Not only will you get the chance to show off your brand new property once the renovations are complete, you’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the neighbourhood and get to know some new people. Housewarming parties have remained popular over the years for the simple reason that they encourage socialization and communication amongst lots of different types of people. If you’re not a people person, you might be inwardly groaning at the idea of inviting a crowd into your new home, but there are lots of benefits you might not be aware of.

Your new house deserves to be seen. It’s as simple as that. If only you and your family ever see it, all your hard work will be wasted. What’s more, unless you choose to throw the most lavish party imaginable (and we tip our hat to you if you can throw a Gatsby-worthy affair), housewarming parties are typically more lowkey and casual due to the fact that their guest lists usually only contain close friends, family, and neighbours.

Housewarming parties may be informal for the most part, but there is still some etiquette to be aware of before you send out your invitations. Since your guests come from all areas of your life, and many will be bringing you gifts, you should do your best to appear respectful and dress in a slightly more conservative manner than you normally would. Decorate lightly and set out snacks for the first hour of mingling, express your gratitude over drinks, and make sure to thank each of your guests individually after dinner.