Moving into a new home can be an emotional experience. Many people are excited about the idea of living in a new house, but also sad to say goodbye to their existing home. The reason why it’s so hard to say goodbye to your current place is because it’s not just a house—it’s a home.

The good news is that your new house will soon feel like a home, too. To get there, simply follow these ten steps to turn your new house into a home:

Set Up the Bedrooms First

It’s going to take you several days or weeks to get your house in order. But in the meantime, it’s important for everyone in your family to have at least one space that makes them feel at home. Create this space by unpacking the bedrooms before moving on to other areas of the home. Once the bedrooms are unpacked, everyone will have a place to go when they need to be alone. Having this safe space—and seeing all of your belongings set up in your new room—will make the house feel more like a home.

Change the Locks

The locks should be changed right away after you move into a new home. Even though the previous owner has already handed over his keys, you can’t be sure that he didn’t make copies for friends, family members, or even his dog walker or housekeeper. If you change the locks, you will know that you are the only one who has a key to your home. Changing the locks will make you feel more secure, which is a sign that you’re one step closer to transforming your house into a home.

Explore the Nooks and Crannies

A house will feel more like a home if you know where everything is, so take a look around and explore the nooks and crannies of your new space. Now is the perfect time to locate the circuit breaker and figure out which fuse controls each part of the house. You should also look for the main water valve and figure out how to turn off the water supply so you know what to do in the event there is a leak. Knowing where these important features are will make you feel less like you’re in someone else’s house and more like you’re settling into your new home.

Switch the Light Bulbs

Lighting plays a big role in setting the mood in your home, so don’t settle for the bulbs that are already in the fixtures if you’re not satisfied with the light. If the lights are too bright and blinding, look for warm compact fluorescent bulbs instead. Not only will these create a softer light in your home, but they are also far more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. If you want a light that is similar to natural sunlight, the best option would be a halogen bulb. However, these are more expensive than traditional bulbs and they typically have short lifespans. Your best bet? Stick with energy efficient lighting and your new home will have a big impact on the environment!

Paint the Walls

A house with white walls can feel uninviting and cold. Before you start to unpack everything, grab a few paintbrushes and start to personalize the interior of your home by painting the walls. Don’t worry about what colors are in style—choose the colors that make you happy and complement your furniture. Painting the walls will inject life into your home and finally make it feel like it’s your own.

Hang Window Treatments

Many people put hanging window treatments on the bottom of their to-do lists, but it should be somewhere near the top. Window treatments can give you privacy and block out light, which can help you feel more at ease in your new space. Window treatments can also make the room look more complete and pulled together, so you feel more settled into your new space.

Put Out Family Photos

A house is not a home unless it’s filled with people that you love. Find the box that is full of all of your framed family photos and begin putting them around the house. Everywhere you look, you will see the bright and smiling face of someone that you love. Seeing these happy faces scattered throughout the house will instantly make you feel more at home.

Create An “Unloading Area”

Have you ever noticed that every home has an “unloading area” by the front door? This is the spot where everyone drops their keys, sunglasses, and shoes when coming into the home. Putting furniture in the entryway of your home may not be high on your list of priorities, but it should be. Creating an unloading space will help you reestablish the routine of coming home after work and putting your things down before settling in for the evening. This will make living in your new house feel more normal, which is an important step in turning your house into a home.

Choose A Signature Scent

Every home has a distinct smell, so now is the time to create your signature scent. Find a scent that makes you feel calm and relaxed when you smell it. It should be a subtle scent so it doesn’t start to irritate you or your guests after smelling it day after day. Once you’ve found the perfect scent, buy candles, incense, and air fresheners with this scent so you can make it your signature.

Throw A Housewarming Party

The best way to turn a house into a home is to create memories in it, so why not throw a housewarming party? Invite all of your close friends and family members to your new home after you have settled in and unpacked. Sharing your new space with loved ones will help you fill the house with happiness and give it the warmth that it needs to transform into a home.

Looking at this list may be overwhelming, especially if you’ve just moved into a new home and find yourself surrounded by boxes of all of your belongings. But, taking it step-by-step will make the task of turning a house into a home much more manageable. And once you are settled, you can start thinking about upgrades, like a smart home. Be patient and persistent—it will pay off!