How to make
your new house
FEEL LIKE HOME
W elcome to NOVA!
Maybe you moved
from far away or
just crossed the river, either way
this is your new home and you
are trying to settle in. Whether
it is a brand-new construction
or new-to-you, you want to feel
at home in your new dwelling.

One in four homeowners said
they regretted purchasing
their current home, according
to a Harris Poll for Redfin.

But amongst the wineries and
the monuments in Northern
Virginia, you can create a space
that is familiar, comfy and fits
your lifestyle. Here are a few
easy projects to make you feel
right at home.

PAINT Chances are the previous home
owners left their mark with some
crazy colors that do not fit your
style. Or, the place was painted
“realtor white,” the basic beige.

Paint is an easy way to revamp a
space, and make it your own.

If you have a color scheme
that worked in your old space,
consider repeating them.

Familiar elements may help
reduce anxiety and help you feel
more at home.

But new colors are also a “fresh
46 June 2017 washingtonFAMILY.com
start.” Bright colors work well
in the kitchen, recalling fresh
produce and stimulating the
appetite. GET ORGANIZED
Now is the perfect time to get a
handle on your kitchen storage.

Hopefully you decluttered
before packing, but if not, this is
the perfect time. Walk through
your new kitchen and set
“working stations” that fit your
lifestyle, for example a main
cooking area, coffee station, kids
snack station or even a cocktail
station. Now you can unpack
according to those stations.

Organize items in clear boxes
so you can see clearly what’s in
them and ease access.

PLANTS AND FLOWERS
It is well known that the green
colors are good for relaxation.

An easy way to bring a pop
of green into your home are
with plants and flowers. They
bring bright color for just a few
dollars. Plants are also known
to help clean the air, and the
smell of fresh flowers will cheer
you up! How about the front
yard? If you have room for some
personal touch; spruce it up.

And don’t forget an herb garden
for the kitchen. There is nothing
like fresh herbs to flavor your
culinary creations in your new
kitchen. GET PERSONAL
A chalkboard can add a
great personal element. Just
a small investment and an
easy afternoon DIY and you
can convert a boring wall
in the kitchen to the family
communication command
center. You can leave fun notes,
write to-do lists, plan weekly
menus, and keep track of other
reminders. And if all else fails, bake some
cookies! There is nothing that
says home like the scent of
fresh baked cookies! Invite the
neighbors, they will be happy
to know there is a new baker in
town. Anna Gibson is the owner and
chief designer of AKG Design
Studio, an award-winning, certified
kitchen and bathroom designer.

AKG Design Studio is a boutique
design firm specializing in kitchen,
bathroom designs and cabinetry
sales. Contact her at 571-989-
2541 or anna@akgdesignstudio.

com, and view her work at www.

akgdesignstudio.com.