One of the best parts about moving into a new place is that you get to make it feel like home. To a certain degree, it’s like having a blank slate that you can customize to your whims, filling it up with little bits of décor that really express your personality. But before you can immediately dive in to the excitement of having a new abode, it’s a good idea to take a step back and see what needs to be taken care of as soon as you set foot inside. Whether you’re moving into a small rented apartment or a family home that you’ve bought, there’s usually a bunch of little – and big – things that you might need to consider right away, be it technical, home décor, or just creative organization ideas.
Here are a few things you can do first when you move into a new home:
1. Get the Lay of the Land.
Scope out what your new place looks like before you start unloading boxes and furniture. This will help you determine just what’s going to go into each room, which will make organizing and unpacking easier.Do your best to visualize how you want your place to look – where you want to put that cool bar cart, or how particular lamps might light up a room. Knowing where you want stuff to go is a big step towards you feeling totally comfortable in your new environment. Also, don’t underestimate pulling out a tape measure and calculating exactly how much space you’ll need for your bed or your couch – you’ll be way less stressed about possibly having to play Tetris with your furniture.
2. Clean it Top to Bottom.
This one should go without saying, but in the event that your new place wasn’t cleaned for you (or not cleaned properly, get out the cleaning supplies and start scrubbing. House cleaning can always feel a little laborious, so put on some good music and try to make the task fun. (Be sure to try and make this a regular habit! It’s hard to feel at home in a place that’s consistently messy and dirty.)
3. Decide if the Current Walls Are Right for You – but Don’t Paint Just Yet.
Is your new home’scurrent paint job dark and ugly? Does the trim on the wallpaper look like Grandma’s tablecloth? Make note of any rooms with walls you’ll want to redo – but don’t grab the paint can immediately.Parting your apartment before you settle in is one of the most commonly made mistakes; it’s a much better idea to get your furniture settled in first, and then see how a color scheme or wallpaper could match it. You definitely don’t want to put time and effort into repainting a bedroom only to find that the color clashes with the blankets and pillows.
4. Choose a Piece of Statement Furniture.
If you don’t already own at least one amazing piece of furniture, you ought to invest in something that can really make a room pop and draw all the positive focus as soon as you step in. Think about a unique coffeetable for your new living room, a sleekly upholstered couch, or a beautiful dining set. Deciding on this statement piece – whether you own it already or not – and building a room around it will go a long way towards making your new home feel like a reflection of your personal taste.
5. Sort Out Your Wi-Fi.
We can’t even kid ourselves anymore: the Internet is pretty high up there on the priorities list. That’s why it’s important to get your home wi-fi set up as soon as you move into your new place. At least a week before you’re scheduled to move in, get a hold of your Internet service provider and arrange to either move your services or set up new ones. That way, you’ll hopefully be connected and ready to go once you take ownership of your home. After all, how else are you going to share photos of your fabulous new place with your friends on social media?
Got any must-dos on your list for when you first move into a new home? Share them with us in the comments!
Contributed By: Good’sFurniture
