If you’re one of the lucky ones that’s managed to purchase a property amid rising house prices, there’s no doubt it’s an exciting time! From deciding on your next interior design scheme to what colour to paint the walls, there’s so much to consider.
But as well as the fun tasks, there’s also the mammoth task of packing and unpacking to factor in. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of moving, we’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know about moving in and getting settled in your new abode.
- Clean the property thoroughly
Before you start opening boxes and filling shelves, it’s a good idea to break out the cleaning equipment! While you have a blank canvas of a home, it’s a good idea to scrub the property from top to bottom.
If you have time, try to clean inside all the cupboards, dust all the shelves and give the floors and walls a good scrub.
- Decide where you’ll be sleeping
On the first night of your move, chances are your home won’t quite look like the finished article. As such, you may find that your beds won’t be assembled or put into their prime position. If this is the case, try to think about where you could make a temporary bedroom.
If you have one, a blow-up mattress can provide some comfort for the first night. If you simply can’t be without a comfy bed, you could always place your mattress on the floor as a temporary solution.
- Unpack
Nobody likes unpacking! After all, rummaging through boxes and wondering where you put everything is hardly anyone’s idea of fun.
To make unpacking as painless as possible, make sure you’re being quick and efficient. Using a safety knife (like one of these) will allow you to open boxes more efficiently. Then, it’s all hands-on-deck to remove the contents of the boxes and place the objects in their new position.
When unpacking, it’s a good idea to unpack in order. By taking boxes to rooms at the back of the house first, you’ll avoid blocking walkways towards the front of the property.
- Furnish your home
Before you move in, if you can, try to visit the property to measure up the rooms. Once you’ve done so, you’ll be able to create a rough plan of where your existing furniture will go, and what items you might need to buy.
By creating a plan, you’ll know exactly what goes where. The end result? Less faffing around on move in day!
- Check your utilities
Before you can start properly living in your new home, you’ll need to ensure that your utilities are in good working condition. Make sure to check your heating, electricity and water are all working. Check the drainage and if it is an open drain, you can cover them with stone grating. This will give a neo-modern look to your outdoors. Contact the best, and get your grating supplies to get a head start. Then, locate the fuse box, boiler and water point, giving them a thorough check over.
Once everything is working, it might also be a good idea to try and switch energy providers to save some money amid energy bills rising.