Top tips to settle in to a new home quickly
Settling in to a new property can be tricky, especially if you are moving in at Christmas. Read these top tips to making your moving day go smoothly so you can get settled in your new home quickly.
The initial excitement of finding the house of your dreams can feel like a distant memory by the time you collect your keys. Months have passed with meetings and solicitors, forms to complete, and documents to sign. That initial anticipation may have waned by now.
That is, until you get the completion date set, then it's all systems go. You are packing and boxing things up left right, and centre, and you're suddenly transformed into an organisational whizz, running the whole process with a military level of precision.
You have the removal van booked, and all your belongings packaged up and ready to go. You may have even been sleeping on mattresses on the floor or camping furniture in your lounge because you have been so conscientious about getting everything ready for moving day.
And then the day is finally here. It's a whirlwind of coming and going, and you don't get a minute to sit and take stock of your new home. That first few days can feel like you've booked an Airbnb with your family, but you've packed everything you own, and now you have no idea where anything is.
These tips will help you have a smooth moving-in day and get settled quickly so you can enjoy the wonderful new home you have worked so hard to move into.
Pack an overnight bag for every member of the family - imagine you are going to a hotel for a few nights and pack an overnight bag. Keep these bags stay with you rather than putting them in the removal van. With the best will in the world, you can mark and label everything, but when faced with a van load of marked-up boxes, finding the one where you packed your toothbrush could be a challenge.
Pack a separate box for emergencies - almost all of us will opt to clean the property when we first get the keys before we begin unpacking, so keep a box containing basic cleaning supplies. You will also want your kettle and some cups as you will want a brew after lugging furniture around.
Curtains - It might sound a little bit extra, but nothing says that you are temporarily staying in a house other than tacking a bed sheet to the windows so that you can sleep. Putting your curtains up immediately will make you feel like you have moved in rather than a temporary stay.
Make a plan - putting your own stamp on a new home is the ultimate way to feel like it's yours. Of course, you will have lots to do to unpack and get moved in, so no one is suggesting that you need to get paint and wallpaper out as well, but it can be good to think about what changes you would like to make and make a plan for the next few weeks.
Cook a meal - On the very first night, you will likely go out for dinner or grab a takeaway. But one way to settle into a new house is to use the kitchen to create a family dinner. In doing this, you will use every part of the kitchen and will need to unpack all utensils, crockery, etc. Preparing a meal in a property is a great way to make yourself feel at home, and eating that first family meal together really cements that this is your family home now.
Congratulations on your new home, and may you have many happy years there.
If you are not quite there yet and are still looking for that forever home for you and your family, get in touch with our friendly property professionals, and they will happily help you find 'the one.'