“Home sweet home” is what we’re all seeking when relocating to a new area. Luckily, we’ve stumbled upon the key steps to make your rental feel like home. Step-by-step, you’ll discover ways to make your long-term rental home feel more comfortable and tailored to your taste. After adding your personal touch to your inside space, it’s time to get outside and explore the wonders of living in coastal North Carolina.
Step 1: Be open-minded
Your best life awaits outside of your comfort zone. Relocating to coastal North Carolina gives you a chance at a new start. Make the most of it by being open-minded about your expectations.
Coastal North Carolina offers a different way of life than what most people are used to. There’s always a beach nearby, boating is a part of the local culture, and the area experiences seasonal fluctuations in tourism. It’s not quite the culture shock of moving abroad. However, staying open-minded will help you embrace the changes during your transition into your new home.
A preview trip is an excellent way to get to know an area before relocating. Check out Sea Scape Vacation Homes for short-term stays.
Step 2: Decorate your space
Adding your personal touch to your space is one of the best ways to make your long-term rental feel like home. Many rental homes come furnished with basic decor to make them move-in ready for the new tenant. This decor is a good start, but your own decorations will truly transform it into your own space.
Here are some easy decor ideas you can use to transform a rental home today:
- Artwork
- Rugs
- Lighting
- Plants
- Mirrors
- Aromatics
- DIY furniture
Check out antiques from The Ivy Cottage, voted the ‘Best in Wilmington’ for 21 years. Visit Paysage Home in Wilmington’s Lumina Station for curated decor.
Keep in mind that you should only use temporary decorations. Avoid putting holes or anything permanent in a rental house.
Step 3: Get to know the area
One of the best things about relocating is getting to know a new area! Now’s your chance to be a tourist in your own home and discover what makes living in the coastal North Carolina area so special.
Tenants staying in long-term rentals in Wilmington can spend time on the 1.75-mile Wilmington Riverwalk, tour Battleship North Carolina, enjoy sunset cruises on the Cape Fear River, and Wrightsville Beach less than 20 minutes away. Carolina Beach long-term residents have the Carolina Beach Boardwalk amusement park and beach in their backyard. Leland, NC is the land of leisure with five world-class golf courses and hiking trails in Brunswick Nature Park.
Step 4: Re-establish your daily routine
It’s up to you to make your rental feel like home—much of it relies on your daily routine. Do you have a set morning routine? What does a typical day look like for you? Recreating these routines in your new rental home will make you instantly comfortable. It tricks your mind into thinking that it’s “home.”
Re-establishing your daily routine also includes places you visit outside of home. Sign up for a local gym, find nearby grocery stores with your favorite brands, find the best route to and from work or school, etc. Don’t expect to find everything right away. But with patience, you’ll soon realize that your daily routine returned to your regular lifestyle.
Step 5: Invite family and friends over
It’s never too early to start creating new memories in a rental home. It’s why so many people love having housewarming parties or holiday dinners. Welcoming familiar faces into your new space will help make it finally feel like home.
Plan a party with your friends and family after getting settled in your rental house. Unpack all those moving boxes and make it look like ‘home’ by the time your guests arrive so they, too, feel comfortable in your new space.
Alternatively, recruit friends and family to help you move while relocating.
Step 6: Get involved in the community
Immersing in the local community can help anyone feel “at home” in a long-term rental. Discover community by introducing yourself to your neighbors or volunteering with local organizations. Community is an excellent way to know what’s happening in the coastal North Carolina area, meet new people, and learn the local lifestyle.
Coastal North Carolina is a visitor-friendly area that gets lots of tourists every year. It welcomes newcomers—even those who decide to stay long-term. You’ll be a familiar face in no time as you explore the area, find your favorite third spaces, and join local organizations.
Step 7: Enjoy the ride
Relocating to a new place is an exciting time. Embrace the journey to making it feel like home. Find the joy in getting to know your neighborhood, finding new coffee shops, and your favorite spot on the beach. Challenge yourself to get out of your rental home and experience the local area. You’ll undoubtedly grow as a person and discover that it’s much easier to make a rental feel like home.
Sea Scape Properties is excited to embark on the journey with you as you relocate to the coastal North Carolina area. Our long-term rentals are the perfect starting point to make North Carolina feel like home in no time!