One of the coolest parts of moving into a new home is the feeling of that maybe, just maybe you don’t need EVERYTHING you had in your last place.
We moved about 7 years ago from a home about 30% larger than the one we live in now. When the movers had finished moving all the boxes into our THREE car garage, there was barely room to walk between the aisles!
But inside the house? It had JUST my furniture and the basics for living. I left it like that for months. In fact, none of the boxes came into the house unless the items inside of them had a home. The process took SOOOO much longer than I anticipated but I found it well worth it in the end.
I thought I’d share my best tips for a successful move-IN.
In the Kitchen…
Best tip I have for the kitchen?? Decide how you want to utilize your kitchen before you unpack! It’ll save you more time and moving things around if you just take that extra five minutes to think about how you’ll use your kitchen. It’s worth it I promise!
Do you want the dishes by the dishwasher for easy unloading? Where would you like the utensils to live? What about the pots and pans? Think about a few different options, once you have everything planned out THEN unpack!
Pick a “Drop Space”…
Define the “drop space” in your home. The “drop space” is where we drop off keys, bags, shoes, etc. when we first come into the house. A clean home is a clear mind, so forgo that messy entry and plan ahead! When you find your space decide what items are going to live there and what you need to keep the space looking tidy.
Need a coat rack for jackets? A few hooks for your keys? A bench with shoe storage underneath? Organizing this space before it’s fully in use will give you order, peace of mind, and a tidy spot to walk into everyday.
Designate the “Kid Space”…
Designating those specific spaces for your work, the kids play, or your husbands calligraphy is important! If you do have kids, creating that space gives them a space that’s theirs right away that they can retreat to and, if need be, you can retreat from.
So, where is the designated “kid” space in your home? Then decide where the kids toys/items going to live. Once you’ve made your decision try to pack everything away AND leave extra storage available because… you’re thinking ahead! Birthdays, holidays, you know there are more toys to come so plan ahead and leave a drawer or two empty!
A tip to make storage look neat and tidy is to keep a decorative sideboard available or have an ottoman with storage tucked inside. It’s great to walk into a space that looks decorated and offers hidden storage instead of bringing in bulky or mismatched furniture as a storage solution. Plan first so you can enjoy later!
Take Stock, Move Forward!
You’ve planned, designated spaces, and unpacked…NOW you can see what you’re able to get rid of and what you still need for your new home! Do you need a better storage solution for all those shoes at your drop zone? Are the kids toys still unmanageable and all over the place?
You’re able to have a clear picture of what you need and what the room looks like, now you can shop for that perfect piece that gives you what you need AND looks great!! Need help? Give me a ring or shoot me an email and I can guide you to that oh so perfect piece to finish off your space!
As always, thanks for reading! Check out some of my other blogs if you need help with things like paint colors, or adding in patterns to your room! Happy home making friends!
