From House to Home: How Design Can Help You Settle In Emotionally
You’ve signed the papers, picked up the keys, and crossed the threshold into your new home. But something still feels… off. You know it’s yours, but it doesn’t feel like it. Not yet.
Ester White Gherea
By Ester White Gherea | WBN News | June 18, 2025
You’ve signed the papers, picked up the keys, and crossed the threshold into your new home.
But something still feels… off.
You know it’s yours, but it doesn’t feel like it. Not yet.
This is one of the most common things I hear from new homeowners. The move is done, the boxes are (mostly) unpacked, and the furniture is in—but the space doesn’t feel warm, welcoming, or personal. It doesn’t reflect you.
And that’s okay. It’s completely normal.
Turning a house into a home takes more than just time—it takes intention.
Why It Feels So Empty (Even When It’s Full)
Most homes are built to be functional boxes. Rooms, walls, windows. But no matter how new, shiny, or spacious it is, it’s just a shell until your life starts to shape it.
The problem? Life doesn’t always leave time to be intentional with design. And when the rush of moving settles, you’re often left with a feeling of, “Now what?”
You might feel disconnected from your furniture. Maybe the colors don’t reflect your taste. Or maybe you just don’t know where to begin to make it feel cozy and “you.”
This is where design steps in—not as something extra, but as something essential.
Design as an Emotional Anchor
Interior design isn’t just about looking good. It’s about creating a space that supports you, reflects you, and comforts you.
The way your furniture is arranged can affect how you move through your day. The textures and materials you choose can calm or energize. The colors on your walls can shape your mood without you even realizing it.
Think about the first five minutes of your morning. Do you walk into a kitchen that makes you feel happy and ready for the day? Or do you feel like you're just "making do" in a space that doesn’t inspire you?
Design can shift that feeling. It can create flow, warmth, and connection—and that’s when your house truly becomes your home.
Start Small, Feel Big
Here’s the good news: you don’t need a full renovation to start feeling at home.
Try adding layers of comfort—like a soft throw on the couch, or warm lighting in your hallway. Re-style a bookshelf with things that matter to you: books you love, travel mementos, photos that make you smile.
Even something as simple as rearranging your entryway to feel welcoming after a long day can change your relationship with the space.
You don’t need a bigger budget. You need a better plan—and someone to help you see what’s possible.
Still Feeling a Little “Not at Home”?
You’re not alone. Many of my clients feel the exact same way before we start working together. And the transformation doesn’t just show up in the space—it shows up in how they feel in it.
So if you’re standing in your house wondering when it will finally feel like yours… that might be the sign it’s time to bring design into the picture.
Let’s talk. What part of your home still doesn’t feel quite right? I’d love to hear what you’re struggling with—drop me a message or leave a comment below. Let’s turn your house into a home, one detail at a time.
Ester White Gherea is an Interior Designer and the founder of Gherea Studios.
She can be reached at 236-339-6644 or estergherea@gmail.com. Connect with Ester on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ester-white-gherea-6b339a2b5/. Connect with Ester at https://www.ghereastudio.com/.
TAGS: #InteriorDesign #TimelessStyle #DesignTrends #HomeDecor #ModernLiving #StylishSpaces #GhereaStudio #WBN News Langley #WBN News Abbotsford #Ester White Gherea
Members Discussion