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Clean the Corners and Other No-Nonsense Advice for Move-In Day. Moving means getting to know a new layout and settling into the unfamiliar zone you now call home. It can take weeks to really get into the groove of your new accommodations, but there are things you can do to expedite the process.
Clean the Nooks and Crannies
You might think your new house is a blank slate, but it’s not. Even if you had the house built, there are lots of places that dust and debris can hide. Grab your rubber gloves and scrub the floors, bathtub, and walls. If you don’t have time to DIY your move-in cleaning, Houzz contributor Bud Dietrich asserts that this is a great time to treat yourself to a professional maid service. Don’t forget the overlooked areas such as the ceiling fans and window sills.
Organize All the Things
All of your stuff had a place at your previous home, and it should find its own little corner here, too. However, that place should not be at the bottom of a drawer. There are many benefits of keeping your home organized right from the start. First, keeping things in a specific location will help reduce clutter and will give you a visual cue when you need to restock. Further, you will always know where your stuff is, which will save lots of frustration. The bathroom, kitchen, and garage are perhaps the spots that need the most attention since these areas either get used every day or, in the case of the garage, becomes the Sakaar of your personal universe. Good Housekeeping offers lots of great tips and tricks on keeping your whole home organized.
Cover Your Assets
And by assets, we mean windows and walls. Few people really consider the impact a good window dressing can have on a home. Your curtains can make your room look larger and can even impact the color of the room. Depending on the type of material, they can even help you sleep or allow mood-boosting natural light to penetrate your living space. Curtains aren’t just for windows, either. A set of long drapes can be used as an inexpensive partition in a large room or integrated into your decor to conceal bookcases and storage spaces. Wayfair’s creative curtain uses can walk you through how to make your rooms look larger or add an elegant touch to your master bedroom. However, you’ll also want to get painting out of the way since it’s much easier to get the job done before the furniture is in place.
Start Bakin’ and Makin’ Memories
No doubt one of the reasons you decided to move is to provide new life experiences for yourself and your family. Don’t waste any time getting those experiences started. One of the simplest things you can do to settle into your home with a happy heart is to prepare and enjoy a meal together. People, especially children, tend to form memories around food – there are even books by Harvard scholars on the correlation between food and memory. So grab the kids and whip up one of your favorite family dinners. Even if your dining room table hasn’t made it off the moving truck, you can still set the foundation for your new life by breaking bread and making memories. Pasta, casseroles, stir-fry, and soups all make great home-cooked meals that require little in the way of clean-up afterward.
Once you’ve taken the time to settle into your home, you can get to know the neighborhood. Take a walk down your street, visit the most popular local attractions, and scout the area for grocery stores, shopping centers, and playgrounds.
You don’t have to be in your house for months to begin making memories. With a few preemptive measures, you will feel comfortable and right at home in mind, body, and heart.