Staying in a shortlet apartment can give you the freedom and privacy of having your own space while travelling, working, or taking a break from your usual routine. However, even a beautiful furnished apartment can sometimes feel unfamiliar when you first arrive.

The good news is that you do not need to completely redesign the apartment to make it feel comfortable. A few thoughtful adjustments can transform a temporary space into somewhere that feels warm, relaxing, and personal.

Whether you are staying for a weekend, a few weeks, or an extended period, here are practical ways to make your shortlet apartment feel more like home.

1. Unpack Instead of Living Out of Your Suitcase

One of the easiest ways to make an unfamiliar apartment feel like home is to unpack.

If you are staying for more than a night or two, take your clothes out of your suitcase and arrange them in the available wardrobe or drawers. Keep your everyday items somewhere convenient instead of leaving everything inside your luggage.

This simple step makes the apartment feel less like a hotel room and more like your temporary home.

You can also organise your toiletries, shoes, accessories, and other essentials in a way that matches your normal routine.

2. Bring a Few Familiar Items

You do not need to pack your entire bedroom when travelling.

Instead, bring a few small things that make you feel comfortable. This could be your favourite pillowcase, a small blanket, a book, a scented product, framed photograph, or another personal item.

Familiar objects can make an unfamiliar environment feel more comfortable almost immediately.

For longer stays, even something as simple as your favourite mug can make your morning routine feel more familiar.

3. Create a Comfortable Living Area

Your living room can become the main relaxation area during your stay.

Arrange cushions, throws, and other removable accessories in a way that makes the space comfortable for you. If you enjoy reading, create a small reading corner. If you prefer watching movies, make the television area your relaxation zone.

The goal is not to change the apartment permanently. It is simply to arrange the available space around the way you naturally live.

4. Keep the Apartment Organised

A cluttered space rarely feels relaxing.

Once you arrive, decide where your belongings will stay and try to keep them there throughout your stay. Keep surfaces clear, put clothes away, and avoid allowing luggage and shopping bags to take over the living space.

Good organisation can make even a small shortlet apartment feel significantly more spacious.

If you are staying for several weeks, create simple routines for laundry, cleaning, and putting things back in their proper places.

5. Make the Bedroom Comfortable

Your bedroom should feel like a place where you can properly rest.

Adjust the curtains, lighting, temperature, and bedding to your preference where possible. If the apartment provides different pillows or bedding options, choose what feels most comfortable for you.

You can also keep your bedside essentials within easy reach, such as your phone charger, water bottle, reading material, or personal care products.

A comfortable sleeping environment can make a major difference to your overall experience.

6. Bring Your Normal Morning Routine With You

One reason a new place can feel strange is that your normal routine has been disrupted.

Try to maintain some of your usual habits.

If you normally start your morning with coffee, tea, music, exercise, prayer, journaling, or a quiet breakfast, continue doing it during your stay.

Routine creates familiarity, and familiarity helps temporary accommodation feel more like home.

7. Use the Kitchen

If your shortlet apartment has a kitchen, take advantage of it.

Preparing a simple meal can make an apartment feel much more personal than constantly eating outside.

You could prepare breakfast before starting your day, make your favourite meal in the evening, or simply keep snacks and drinks available.

Having food you enjoy around you can also make the space feel more familiar.

8. Make the Space Smell Familiar

Scent can strongly influence how we experience a space.

If permitted by the property, you can bring a small personal fragrance, diffuser, or another subtle scent that you associate with home.

However, always check the property's rules before using candles, incense, diffusers, or other items that may create safety concerns.

A clean, fresh-smelling apartment is also important. If something does not smell right when you arrive, inform the property manager rather than trying to cover it with heavy fragrances.

9. Personalise the Space Without Damaging It

Temporary accommodation does not mean you cannot add personality.

You can use removable and portable items such as:

• Small cushions
• Throws
• Travel-sized décor
• Books
• Flowers
• Small plants
• Personal photographs
• Decorative trays

Avoid anything that could damage walls, furniture, paint, or other property features.

Remember that the apartment is still someone else's property, so personalisation should always respect the house rules.

10. Create a Work or Study Corner

If you are working or studying during your stay, dedicate a specific area to it.

A dining table, desk, or quiet corner can become your temporary workspace.

Keep your laptop, charger, notebook, headphones, and other work essentials organised in one place.

Separating your work area from your relaxation area can also help you maintain a healthier routine, particularly when you are staying somewhere for an extended period.

11. Get to Know the Neighbourhood

Feeling at home is not only about the apartment itself.

Take some time to understand the area around you.

Find out where the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, restaurant, café, gym, bank, and other useful locations are. If you are staying in Lagos, knowing your surroundings can make your stay significantly easier.

You may even discover a favourite restaurant or café that becomes part of your temporary routine.

12. Keep Your Favourite Entertainment Close

Bring or access the things you normally use to relax.

You could create a playlist, download your favourite shows, bring a book, or use streaming services available on your devices.

If the apartment has a smart TV or reliable internet connection, you can recreate some of your normal entertainment routine without needing to leave the apartment.

13. Keep Your Personal Essentials Easily Accessible

Small inconveniences can make a temporary stay feel less comfortable.

Before settling in, identify where you will keep essentials such as:

• Chargers
• Toiletries
• Medication
• Clothes
• Documents
• Keys
• Wallet
• Work equipment
• Cleaning supplies

Having everything in an obvious place makes your daily routine easier and reduces unnecessary stress.

14. Communicate With the Property Manager

Sometimes making a shortlet feel like home has less to do with what you bring and more to do with getting the basics right.

If something is missing, uncomfortable, or not working properly, communicate with the property manager.

Whether it is an internet issue, water problem, faulty appliance, uncomfortable temperature, or another maintenance concern, reporting it early gives the management team an opportunity to resolve it.

A responsive property manager can make a major difference to the quality of a shortlet experience.

15. Choose the Right Apartment From the Beginning

Finally, making a shortlet feel like home starts before you check in.

Think about what makes you comfortable when choosing accommodation.

Do you need a quiet environment? A functional kitchen? Reliable internet? A comfortable bedroom? Plenty of natural light? A workspace? Easy access to certain locations?

The right apartment should match your lifestyle and reason for travelling.

Instead of choosing an apartment simply because it looks attractive in photographs, consider whether its facilities, location, layout, and environment actually suit your needs.

Final Thoughts

A shortlet apartment does not have to feel temporary just because you are only staying there for a short period.

By unpacking your belongings, maintaining familiar routines, keeping the space organised, preparing simple meals, creating comfortable relaxation areas, and adding a few personal touches, you can make your temporary accommodation feel considerably more familiar.

Most importantly, choose a shortlet that fits your lifestyle from the beginning. The right location, facilities, comfort, privacy, and management can turn a simple stay into an experience that genuinely feels like home.

Whether you are travelling for business, taking a weekend break, visiting family, relocating temporarily, or simply enjoying a staycation, the right shortlet apartment can give you the comfort of home while giving you the flexibility of short-term accommodation.

Ready to Find a Short-let That Feels Like Home?

Whether you need a shortlet for a weekend getaway, business trip, extended stay, relocation, or personal visit, LandMall Shortlets & Apartments can help you find a comfortable space that suits your needs.

Get in touch with us today to make inquiries, check available apartments, or schedule an inspection.

For Inquiries / Inspection Reservations, please Call/WhatsApp:-

☎️ 09019001191
📧 landmallshortlets@gmail.com

Your comfort starts with the right space. Let LandMall Shortlets & Apartments help you find yours.