9 Easy and Affordable Projects to Prepare Your New Home for A Housewarming Party

Moving into a new home is a significant life event that deserves to be celebrated with a housewarming party. Throwing yourself a party right after a move may sound intimidating, but fortunately, you don’t have to wait until your home is magazine-worthy to host one.

Here are nine simple, low-budget projects that can get your home party-ready, long before the last moving box is unpacked.

1. Give Your Home A Deep Cleaning

Help your new home look its best by giving it a thorough cleaning. For starters, remove cobwebs, wipe down woodwork and wash the windows. Then, move on to the floors. Whether your home has carpet, hardwood, tile or a combination of materials, cleaning the floors will freshen it up instantly.

2. Get Organized

If you don’t have time to put all of your things in their place before your party, creative storage solutions can help you tidy up your home quickly and affordably. If moving boxes and miscellaneous items are scattered throughout your home, consider consolidating them into one room and keeping the door closed during the party.

3. Add Personality to the Walls

Don’t stress out by trying to repaint every room in the house before your party. Instead, focus on sprucing up the walls in the main living area of your home or wherever your guests will congregate. Consider painting an accent wall for a splash of color or putting up removable wallpaper or decals. A quick and easy DIY art project is another great way to add personality and interest to barren walls.

4. Install New Light Fixtures

Whether your current light fixtures are outdated or just don’t match your decor, switching them out for new ones can transform your home. For budget purposes, start by replacing the light fixtures in the rooms you use most, such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom. Over time, replace the lights in other areas of your home. If you don’t feel comfortable changing a light fixture, hire a licensed electrician.

5. Invest in Mood Lighting

Consider replacing traditional light switches with dimmer switches to set the mood for your housewarming party. Dimmer switches are easy and fast to install, and even come in “smart” models that allow you to control your home lighting from your phone. To help reduce energy costs, replace the traditional light bulbs in your home with LED bulbs, and put a few lights on timers.

6. Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

A few outdoor projects can go a long way toward improving your home’s appearance and wowing your guests. Start by trimming shrubbery, laying fresh mulch and mowing the yard. If your grass is dead, purchase some inexpensive turf. Add interest to your home and make it safer for your guests by installing solar lights along the driveway and pathways. Consider power washing your home’s exterior to give it a clean, new look. Be sure to save enough time to give the backyard a quick makeover too.

7. Buy Houseplants

Plants don’t only make your home feel warm and welcoming, some also do a great job at removing pollutants from the air. Peace lilies, English ivy and bamboo palm are a few of the best air-purifying plants. In addition to plants, fresh flowers in a decorative vase can help give your new home an inviting vibe.

8. Install An Entertainment & Sound System

You will want to listen to all of your favorite music during your housewarming, so make sure to install your sound system and television a few days before so you can work out any kinks and make sure your guests are entertained. New technologies make it easy to do this yourself in an hour or two, but consider hiring a professional if you’re not confident in your abilities. If your party is going to take place outside, wow guests by installing weather resistant outdoor speakers for your deck or patio areas.

9. Replace the Front Door

Your home’s front door sets the tone for what your guests expect to see inside. If your door is battered, flimsy or just plain ugly, you may want to replace it. The type of door you choose depends on your budget and personal preference, but keep in mind that steel doors are typically less expensive than solid-wood or fiberglass doors — and they generally offer better security. If you don’t want to install a new door, you can make the entry to your home more inviting by giving the door a fresh coat of paint, hanging a decorative wreath and laying down a welcome mat. To ensure your guests find your home easily, add vinyl house numbers to the door.

Like most new homeowners, your to-do list is probably a mile long, but you don’t have to completely decorate your new home before you celebrate with a housewarming party. Choose the most important items on your list and prioritize them. Then, try some of these projects to get your house looking its best quickly, without spending a fortune. Your guests will likely be so busy admiring your new home that they won’t notice a few unpacked boxes or an empty wall.