Make your new home your own in six easy steps. Think candles, coffee, a little greenery, and more.

You’ve signed your lease, and have been handed the keys. What’s next? Time to make the four (bare) walls your own: a place where you can wind down after work; a place where you can entertain; a place to call home.

Whether you live in a cozy Chinatown studio, a trendy Yaletown townhouse, or a Kerrisdale character home, we’ve got you covered. From setting the mood with candles, to moving in some leafy friends, here’s how to “make it yours,” Vancouver-style, in six steps.

1. Create green space

Fill your home with life big and small. Fig tree, fern, or flowers. For a bulk run, venture out to GardenWorks. In town, our go-to curator is Charlie & Lee, where each plant is attired with the perfect pot. And if you want to start your opening weekend with a fresh cut of flowers, let The Wild Bunch take care of it.

2. Set the mood

Sydney Hale’s Tobacco + Sandalwood, Woodlot’s Wildwoods, and Vancouver Candle Company’s Burnt Cedar are on rotation in our home right now.

3. Paint the walls

Start by Googling some artists of Vancouver-origin: Randy Grskovic, Zoe Pawlak, and Scott Massey. We love Andy Dixon, but we can’t afford Andy Dixon. So, call on 221A to explore their network of artist fellows.

4. Cover up

Not all of us can be Danes, but why not “hygge” your home with cozy blankets for the rainy, grey days? For a Canadian flavour, go with the Hudson’s Bay stripes. For a Westcoast twist, Pendleton plaid.

5. Organize your collection

Top of the list is a shoe rack. Check out Room In Order or Canadian Tire. Buy one more than you think you need (…speaking from past experience).

6. Set up your caffeine station

Everyone has a local Saturday morning spot. But sometimes you want to pour your own. The burr grinder and French Press works for us. If you take your coffee more seriously, check out the possibilities at Transcend Coffee.