The Times Australia
Google AI
The Times Real Estate

.

7 Must-Do Home Improvements to Personalise Your New Home After Move-In

  • Written by The Times

Moving into a new home can be an exciting milestone, but it can feel confusing at first. Once the professionals have moved your stuff for you, it’s time to make the new space according to your taste. Customising your new space can be some thoughtful improvements that will make the space more comfortable and functional, so you can settle in faster. Whether you used a moving company or a team of removalists, here are 7 essential home improvement tips to make your new place feel like home.

1. Add a Personal Touch to the Walls

One of the fastest ways to make a house yours is to paint the walls. A fresh coat of paint in your favourite colour or your personality will change the whole space. You can try feature walls, textured finishes or wallpaper to add depth and character.

If the previous owners left behind outdated colours or scuff marks, painting is a practical improvement too. Do this before the furniture arrives if your moving company hasn’t unloaded everything yet. It makes the process easier and quicker.

2. Install Personalized Lighting

Lighting plays a significant role in setting the mood of a new home. Swapping out generic light fixtures for personal ones will improve both look and function. Consider dimmable lights in the bedrooms or decorative pendant lights in the living room and kitchen.

Connect Market’s Brisbane removalists always recommend unpacking the essentials first, including lamps and temporary lighting. Once you have a plan, you can install more permanent fixtures later that suit your style.

3. Upgrade Better Storage Solutions

After the removalists company has delivered your stuff, you may find your new place needs better storage. Custom storage solutions like built-in shelves, closet organisers or under the stairs cabinets – will maximise space and minimise clutter. Look for ways to make storage stylish by adding open shelving to display decor or plants. This practical improvement will have you feeling organised from day one.

4. Bathroom and Kitchen Upgrades

While major renovations may not be possible straight after a move, small upgrades to the bathroom and kitchen will make a big difference. Consider changing cabinet handles, installing new faucets or adding a new backsplash to your kitchen.

In the bathroom, replace old shower curtains, towel racks and mirrors to match your style. Small changes like upgrading fixtures don’t require a contractor. If the removalists set up your appliances, you can focus on adding the personal touches straight away. You can also a get quote from MOVEE’s removalists for affordable local movers.

5. Enhance Your Outdoor Space

The outside of your new home deserves just as much love as the inside. Whether you have a balcony, patio or garden, making the outside area more enjoyable will make you love the space more. Start by setting up seating or adding plants to bring some life to the area.

String lights, fire pits and outdoor rugs can make the outside space feel comfortable and warm. While the removalists are unpacking your indoor furniture, take the opportunity to plan for the outside. Simple touches like welcome or decorative planters will make the new house feel like home in no time.

6. Change the Locks and Secure the Property

Safety and security is key when moving into a new place. One of the first things you should do is change the locks or rekey the doors. You never know who might have keys to the old locks so securing the property will give you peace of mind.

Also, install smart doorbells or security cameras for extra security. Ask your removalist company if they can recommend a locksmith services. That way you can get everything done and feel secure from the very beginning.

7. Personalise with Art, Photos, and Decor

Once all your essentials are unpacked it’s time to add the finishing touches that will make the house feel like home. Hang artwork that speaks to you, display family photos, or create a custom photo calendar for your kitchen or hallway—something both meaningful and functional—and set out decorative items that reflect your personality. Rugs, throw pillows and curtains can also warm up the space.

If you tell your movers they can unpack wall decor and photo frames last so you can see where everything will go once the furniture is in place. That way you can easily personalise the space once the furniture is arranged.

Summary

Moving into a new home is exciting and overwhelming. But once you’ve hired a removalist to help with the move, focusing on home improvements will get you settled in faster. From painting the walls to upgrading your storage solutions, these 7 must-do home improvements are easy ways to make your new space personal.

Working with professional removalists will get your move done smoothly and give you the time and energy to make these meaningful changes. Simple things, inside and out, will turn your new house into a cozy home that feels like yours.

Property Times

Understanding Kerbside Valuation: A Practical Guide for Property Owners

When it comes to property transactions, not every situation requires a full, detailed valuation. In many cases, lenders, investors, or homeowners simply need a quick, efficient assessment of a property’s approximate market value. This is where a ke...

Why the Prevailing RBA Mortgage Interest Rates Are Not to Blame for the Continuing Rise in Residential Dwelling Prices

Australia’s housing market remains one of the most debated economic issues of the decade. Despite successive Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate hikes aimed at cooling demand, residential dwelling prices across most capital cities and man...

How Real Estate Agent Commissions Work in Australian States and Territories

When buying or selling property in Australia, one of the biggest costs—beyond the property price itself—comes from real estate agent commissions. These commissions are the fees agents charge for marketing, negotiating, and finalising the sale of ...

Understanding Centrelink Investment Property Valuation: A Guide for Australian Property Owners

Introduction Owning an investment property in Australia can bring financial stability — but it also comes with responsibilities, especially when it comes to Centrelink assessments. Whether you’re applying for age pensions, disability benefits, or ...

Times Magazine

IPECS Phone System in 2026: The Future of Smart Business Communication

By 2026, business communication is no longer just about making and receiving calls. It’s about speed...

With Nvidia’s second-best AI chips headed for China, the US shifts priorities from security to trade

This week, US President Donald Trump approved previously banned exports[1] of Nvidia’s powerful ...

Navman MiVue™ True 4K PRO Surround honest review

If you drive a car, you should have a dashcam. Need convincing? All I ask that you do is search fo...

Australia’s supercomputers are falling behind – and it’s hurting our ability to adapt to climate change

As Earth continues to warm, Australia faces some important decisions. For example, where shou...

Australia’s electric vehicle surge — EVs and hybrids hit record levels

Australians are increasingly embracing electric and hybrid cars, with 2025 shaping up as the str...

Tim Ayres on the AI rollout’s looming ‘bumps and glitches’

The federal government released its National AI Strategy[1] this week, confirming it has dropped...

The Times Features

FOLLOW.ART Launches the Nexus Card as the Ultimate Creative-World Holiday Gift

For the holiday season, FOLLOW.ART introduces a new kind of gift for art lovers, cultural supporte...

Bailey Smith & Tammy Hembrow Reunite for Tinder Summer Peak Season

The duo reunite as friends to embrace 2026’s biggest dating trend  After a year of headlines, v...

There is no scientific evidence that consciousness or “souls” exist in other dimensions or universes

1. What science can currently say (and what it can’t) Consciousness in science Modern neurosci...

Brand Mentions are the new online content marketing sensation

In the dynamic world of digital marketing, the currency is attention, and the ultimate signal of t...

How Brand Mentions Have Become an Effective Online Marketing Option

For years, digital marketing revolved around a simple formula: pay for ads, drive clicks, measur...

Macquarie Capital Investment Propels Brennan's Next Phase of Growth and Sovereign Tech Leadership

Brennan, a leading Australian systems integrator, has secured a strategic investment from Macquari...

Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep?

It begins with two people, one blanket, and two very different ideas of what’s a comfortable sle...

Australia’s Cost-of-Living Squeeze: Why Even “Doing Everything Right” No Longer Feels Enough

For decades, Australians were told there was a simple formula for financial security: get an edu...

A Thoughtful Touch: Creating Custom Wrapping Paper with Adobe Firefly

Print it. Wrap it. Gift it. The holidays are full of colour, warmth and little moments worth celebr...