Having just moved interstate, Gina sold almost all her possessions and took the opportunity to have a completely fresh start — in all areas of life, including her home decor. It made sense, the less stuff to pack up and move, the lower the moving costs would be. Plus, the money made from Facebook Marketplace sales and her epic garage sale helped fund the move. If you’ve got a move on the horizon, you too may want to take the opportunity to simplify what you have and rethink your home decor. Let us delve into how you can do that by each zone of the home!
From designing a restful bedroom to building a productive home office, we’ll guide you through practical ideas that turn your fresh start into a home that better reflects your style.
Related article: My advice for completely overhauling your interior style
Related article: Indoor outdoor living with a peek inside the Kedron Street home
Make the move as smooth as possible
Declutter first
We mentioned this in the intro, but it’s worth repeating: decluttering before you pack lightens both the physical and emotional load. Simplifying what you own creates space for a fresh start and helps you step into your next chapter with clarity. It’s an opportunity to let go of things that no longer serve you — including items tied to memories you’d rather leave behind.
Moving experts suggest reducing your belongings by 25 to 50 percent before you pack. Ask yourself: “Would I take this with me if I were moving into an apartment?” If the answer is no, it’s time to let it go.
If you find it hard to let go of things, check out these tips to help you declutter. It’s also easier to keep fewer things organised and use a methodical packing method during a move.
Make a plan for your move
Once you’ve decluttered, make a clear plan for the move. Create a timeline with a checklist that outlines everything you need to do before, during, and after moving day. If you’re working with a professional team like licensed Atlanta movers from Zip Moving, a lot of the stress is taken off your plate. They offer expert support that helps keep things organised from the very beginning.
Remember, creating a well-organised home doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself breaks, and take time to settle into your new environment. As organising expert Autumn Nyby says, “This is a marathon, not a sprint… it probably took you a while to get your last home in order.”
Think of your move as more than a change of address. With the right mindset and the help of experienced professionals, you can turn this transition into the start of a more intentional and organised lifestyle.
Creating a new bedroom vibe
Now let’s work zone by zone of your new home and think about how you can overhaul your home decor to create the mood you want in your new abode. How do you want to feel in your bedroom? A relaxing sanctuary? A romantic space? Minimalist and zen? By getting specific about what you want, all the decisions that follow will be easy.
Choose calming colours for better rest
Your walls form the largest area in your bedroom so it pays to take your time to choose your wall colour wisely. We talk often about how colour can affect our mood, but it can also affect your sleep quality. Blue ranks among the best bedroom colours. It brings calmness and relaxation that can help to lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Green comes next as its connection with nature evokes feelings of being grounded and peaceful. Soft whites or light neutrals are popular and versatile choices because they are less stimulating and easy to change with a few accent items, such as cushions, art and decor.
You could select almost any colour so long as it’s in the right shade and intensity, however it’s generally best to avoid red. Red is a high energy colour that can spark fear and excitement while raising your blood pressure and pulse rate. Black looks dramatic but can have a connection to negative emotions.
Invest in a quality bed and mattress
If your move is following a relationship breakdown or you’ve just had your bed for a long time, this may be something to replace during the move. Good sleep starts with proper support. Medium-firm mattresses can boost sleep quality by 55% and help reduce chronic back pain. Here’s what you should know about mattress types:
- foam mattresses last 8-10 years
- natural latex mattresses serve you up to 25 years
- hybrid mattresses give you both durability and immediate comfort.
Spend at least 15 minutes lying in your usual sleeping position before buying any mattress. Online shoppers should pick companies that offer at least a 90-day trial period. Find more tips to picking the right mattress here.
Use soft lighting to set the mood
Smart bedroom lighting creates ambience and offers functional benefits. Layer your lighting with separate dimmer controls to create ‘pools’ of light. Bedside lamps work best or you could use pendant lights, just be sure to hang these 30-50cm above your bedside table. With smart globes readily available, you can easily create a smart lighting plan that you can control from your phone without needing to leave your bed.
Add personal touches with wall art
Wall art does more than decorate — it creates a focal point that shapes your room’s energy. Place key pieces above your bed or dresser to maximise their visual effect. Abstract art, nature scenes, and minimalist designs rank among popular bedroom themes that promote tranquility. Pick artwork that matches your room’s colour scheme and holds personal meaning to create the most restful space.
Set up a product home office space
A productive home office plays a vital role in your new home, especially if you work remotely or need a dedicated space to manage household tasks. Your work environment will affect your focus, creativity, and overall efficiency.
Use bright colours to boost energy
This is another zone of the home where it pays to tap into the psychology of colour. Blue helps you concentrate and perform better on attention-based tasks, making it perfect for focused work. Green helps reduce eye strain during long work sessions and keeps you focused longer. Yellow might work best for creative tasks, as environmental psychologists note it can boost creativity levels.
Red works well when used strategically. Studies show it makes workers feel more energetic and active. You shouldn’t use too much of it though — just as an accent colour since excess red can cause anxiety and overstimulation.
Keep the layout functional and clutter-free
A messy workspace creates a disorganised mind. Getting organised can save you about 60 minutes each day. Take time to assess what you need and remove unnecessary items from your desk. Pick furniture that serves multiple purposes to maximise space while looking sleek.
Depending on how you use your home office, you may want to create specific zones, such as a:
- work zone with your desk and computer
- reference zone for manuals and important documents
- supply zone for office essentials.
Regular tidy ups prevent clutter and keep your space organised. Set aside a few minutes daily or a bigger chunk weekly to tidy up and clear out unnecessary papers. This habit will help you stay focused and get more done by reducing distractions.
Children’s rooms: let personality shine
Designing a child’s room is a chance to mix creativity with practical home organisation. Our top tip is to create a space that can grow with your child. Do this by creating a neutral base where you can layer in their favourite colours and themes.
Use primary colours as a base
Primary colours (red, blue, and yellow) make an excellent foundation for kids’ rooms because they never go out of style. These bold hues naturally draw young eyes and keep kids engaged. Each colour brings its own benefits:
- red gets energy flowing, perfect for play areas
- blue creates a peaceful mood, ideal for reading corners and bedrooms
- yellow sparks creativity, great for art spaces
These vibrant colours work best when used strategically instead of dominating the space. An accent wall, half height painted walls or colourful furniture against neutral backgrounds adds interest without overwhelming the senses. You can add more colours through easy-to-change items like wall decals, art, pillows, rugs, or lamp shades.
Smart home organisation starts with colour-coded storage bins and shelves using primary colours. This simple system helps kids keep their space tidy on their own, even before they learn to read.
Decorate with their favourite themes
Kids’ interests change faster than seasons, so flexible themes are key. Let your child help with decorating choices to give them a sense of pride in their space.
Removable wall decals can transform a room in minutes without lasting changes. On top of that, themed bedding, curtains, and throw pillows are economical ways to update the look as interests move from dinosaurs to space or princesses to sports.
Classic, neutral furniture pieces support changing themes and keep organisation simple long-term. Floating shelves make it easy to show off and rotate collections. Clear storage bins with picture labels help kids find where things belong whatever theme the room has.
The best kids’ rooms strike a balance between personal style and practical organisation that grows with them. This approach creates spaces where personality shines while keeping everything organised for play, learning, and rest.
Adding style and function to main living and kitchen areas
Living areas and kitchens bring family and friends together naturally. They are the heart of your new home. The right mix of style and function creates spaces that look great and work well for daily life.
Choose furniture based on room usage
Larger furniture may not suit your new house, for example a left-hand chase sofa that would be better as a right-hand sofa in your new home. Your living area furniture choices will impact your life every day so we say it’s worth replacing these to suit your new home, and while you’re at it, get you one step closer to achieving the home aesthetic you want. It’s easy to sell old items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, and equally, you may find your ‘new’ furniture secondhand on these sites.
The right furniture placement helps people move around easily and makes the best use of space. Ideally, none of your furniture will block doorways or windows, should sit at least 20cm away from the walls, and allow plenty of space to navigate around. Balance plays a vital role, so distribute furniture and achieve harmony through balanced colour, wall decor and other decorative accents.
Key factors to think about for living area furniture:
- durability of materials (solid wood, high-quality metals)
- versatility and multi-functionality
- proper scale relative to your room size
- comfort and ergonomics.
Add small upgrades like new tapware or lighting
Small changes can make a huge difference without needing complete renovations. New kitchen mixer taps boost both function and style quickly. Your faucet finish should match your cabinet hardware to create a polished look. Find other affordable kitchen upgrades here.
Lighting does more than just brighten a room — it sets the mood and helps when doing tasks. Decorative light fixtures work like statement jewellery to tie your kitchen design together. The right mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting creates layers that help you work while setting the perfect atmosphere.
Use decor to reflect your lifestyle
Finally, your living spaces should tell your unique story. Personal items that show your interests, hobbies, or travel memories make your home feel authentic. A vintage camera displayed on stacked coffee table books works well for photography lovers. Music fans might hang their guitars on the wall to add warmth or create a record player corner.
Artwork can also be a powerful expression of your personality. Choosing large artwork for living room areas helps anchor the space and adds visual impact without clutter. These statement pieces can reflect your taste and bring cohesion to your decor.
We hope this article has inspired you to see moving as an opportunity for a fresh start, especially when it comes to creating a new living environment that reflects YOU. Whether you are creating a peaceful bedroom, setting up a productive home office, or expressing your style through thoughtful decor, each choice brings you closer to a space that feels personal and intentional.
More tips when selling or renting
