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New Home Ideas + A quick moment of congrats!
If you are here, that means you just moved into a new place – this deserves a big CONGRATULATIONS! With everything it took to get you to where you are now, you deserve to take a moment and say, “I did it!” 🎉
Before you start unpacking, there are a few simple yet high-impact things you’ll want to do first to avoid decisions you might regret later.
These ideas will help you:
- avoid major moving mistakes
- make your home feel put together quickly
- start your projects on a clean slate
Let’s get into all the super HELPFUL new home ideas for when you first move in!
#1 Deep clean EVERYTHING
When you first get your keys and walk in the door, everything will feel just a little bit dirty. Even though the house will be empty and things may seem clean at first sight, you never quite know how much of a deep clean the previous owner did. The absolute first thing you should do is clean every surface.
- Wipe down all window sills and clean all glass windows.
- Make sure to clean all the baseboards and floors (this includes sweeping any carpet).
- Give your kitchens and bathrooms a good scrub-down.
- Change the toilet seats – this tip is always a must when moving into a new place.
#2 Get cleaning buckets for each bathroom
My absolute favorite piece of advice is to buy a couple of new cleaning buckets (one for each bathroom) and the same cleaning supplies for each bucket. This would include toilet bowl cleaner, glass cleaner, soft scrub, a cleaning brush, a sponge, rubber gloves, Clorox wipes, and paper towels.
Place the new cleaning buckets in each of your bathrooms. That way, when you go to clean, you have everything you need right there in the room you are in. It’s amazing how much this convenience makes you want to clean your bathroom more!
#3 Change the locks or put in an alarm system
Your home should be your safe space! And for you to feel safe, it’s important to change your locks so that you can feel so much more at ease under your roof.
#4 Get groceries delivered and stock your fridge on the first day
There is nothing less homey than a fridge without food and a pantry without snacks. 🙁 By scheduling out your grocery delivery during the first day or two of your move, you will save yourself a trip to the grocery store, and you will have your fridge stocked with the essentials for all your “moving day” fuel.
#5 Create a moving day essentials box
Before you even begin the packing process, you should 100% create a “moving day essentials box”. This would include items like toilet paper, snacks, water, phone chargers, cleaning supplies and tools. The last thing that you will want to do is go searching around for these items in boxes during move-in day.
#6 Unpack your kitchen first
The absolute first room that you should unpack is your kitchen. That’s because you use this space every single day, multiple times a day. You will want to make it easy for your future self to make meals throughout the craziness of moving. You will thank yourself later for this!
#7 Set up a temporary dining area to eat
You’ll most likely have boxes all over the place during your first couple of days or weeks of moving. It’s so important to have a place to relax and eat. Setting up a temporary dining area is a MUST. It’s just as important as unpacking your kitchen first.
#8 Set up a temporary charging station
Just like you set up a temporary dining area, you will also want a temporary charging station. It’s a good idea to come prepared with chargers for phones, Apple watches, power tools, etc.
#9 Come with clean sheets to set up your bedroom right away
After your long day of moving, the last thing you will want to do is put your bedroom set together or put your sheets on your bed right before bedtime. So right away, come with clean sheets, set up your bedroom set, and make your bed!
You will be SO happy you did this.
#10 Make accommodations for yourself
Make small accommodations for yourself that will make your life better. For example, if you love coffee in the morning, set up your coffee maker and mugs to make a coffee nook. After the first couple of weeks, take the time to start on the little home projects that will make your house feel even more like home!
#11 Fix the small things around your house now
When you first move into your house, you will notice lots of little things that need a quick fix. Do yourself a favor and make time to go around your house with a toolbox to fix those things on your first day! If you don’t, you might forget about them, and a year later, you could still have these items on your to-do list.
For example, maybe there are small dents in your wall that can easily be fixed with putty & some paint.
#12 Get as organized as possible beforehand
This new home idea may seem obvious, but on day one, you will want to remain as organized as possible. And if you are reading this post, I know you are a planner, and that won’t be a problem for you. 😉
Come with a plan on where you want the totes to go, which furniture you want in each room, and where you want to store certain items. It’s always a good idea to label your boxes and totes before move-in day so that you can just drop them in the appropriate rooms and unbox them later.
#13 Make a to-do list for the next day to stay organized
When you first move in, there will be things that you want to do but won’t have time during your first couple of days. Open your notes app and keep a list of all of the “to-dos” you want to complete. You can refer back to the list and knock them out one by one.
#14 Install shower curtains
It’s the little things that we often forget on move-in day, so let me be the one to remind you to install your shower curtains and liners in each bathroom so that by the time you want to take a shower, your bathroom will be ready to go!
#15 Hang up blinds and curtains for privacy
This tip is something that you will want to do almost immediately after moving into your new home! Hanging up blinds or curtains in each room will make you feel so much more comfortable living there. No one wants to feel like they are being watched by their new neighbors lol.
#16 Set up your TV and entertainment system
If you are a big TV watcher or streaming person (like me), you will want to set up your TV and entertainment system pretty soon after moving in. You will want to hang your TVs and hide all your cables.
#17 Purchase and place the right-sized rugs in each room
Just because you already own rugs doesn’t necessarily mean they will fit your new space. You may want to purchase new rugs so they fit your new rooms perfectly. Luckily, I have a whole post about the best-sized rugs for each room in your house. Check it out so you come prepared when you first move in!
#18 Assemble furniture AFTER you move in
If you purchased any furniture for your new home, leave it in the box it was shipped in and wait until you move into your new home to set it up. That way, you don’t have to unpack awkward-sized furniture, and it is already packed in the original box and ready for moving.
#19 Hang up a key holder
It’s the little things that will make your house feel like home. Don’t forget to hang up a key holder in your laundry room or entryway.
#20 Install a smart doorbell/camera
If your home didn’t come with a Ring or Nest doorbell, I would HIGHLY recommend installing one when you first move in. I would argue that this is just as important as getting new keys for your home. It will help you feel safe and come in handy later down the line for packages and random solicitors.
#21 Program the thermostat to your liking
Everyone has their temperature preferences, and I am sure the previous homeowners were different than yours. Spend some time learning your thermostat settings and set them up the way you want!
#22 Install better house numbers
One of the first things we did when moving into our home was to install new house numbers. We wanted to customize the front of our house with them. Plus, we got matte black ones so that delivery drivers and family could easily recognize which house was ours!
#23 Replace all light bulbs (trust me)
A new house will probably come with old light bulbs, the wrong color, mismatched, or missing bulbs. It’s important to take the time now and replace every single light bulb in your house with the ones you want. My preference is to go with a warm white like 2700K. This type of light provides the perfect warm soft glow and makes your house feel super homey and inviting!
#24 Put your garage door openers in your car
Don’t forget to put your garage door openers in your car! It’s a small thing, but it can be easily forgotten.
#25 Organize your closet & get new hangers
Take the time to organize your closet and get it the way you want. It can be tempting to just throw all of your clothes in your new closet space. But your future self will thank you when they are all organized by color/season and hung up on nice new hangers.
#26 Buy all new drawer organizers
It’s hard to buy drawer organizers before the move because you won’t have the exact measurements. Once you’re in, take out your measuring tape, measure out your drawers, and purchase some really nice drawer organizers. It will make your life so much easier.
#27 Check the dryer vent for lint build-up
I will always point out the safety tips! Your inspector might have done this for you during your inspection, but it is always important to check your dryer vent for lint build-up and clean it out if it is clogged.
We purchased this cheap 30-foot dryer vent cleaner, and the amount of gross “old homeowner” lent that came out was actually wild!
#28 Update your home insurance
Aside from all of the physical things you will be doing when you first move in, it’s important to remember to update your home insurance. It’s as simple as calling your insurance agent and getting the process started!
#29 Review HOA rules
If you live in a place that has an HOA, you will want to make sure to read all of the HOA rules and regulations when you move in. That way, you will know exactly what you can and can’t do.
For example, our neighborhood has a rule that says we can’t have a fence that is taller than 4 feet. I’m glad I knew that before spending thousands of dollars installing a new privacy fence.
#30 Light some candles and make your house smell amazing
Everyone’s home has a unique scent, and your new home probably smells like the previous homeowners. Now is the time to give your home a deep clean, light some candles, and make your house smell like your home.
#31 Open all windows to let in fresh air and natural light
Along those same lines, during your move-in day, remember to open all of the windows to let in fresh air and sunshine. While you are at it, you could take the time to clean the window sills that may have some dirt left over from the previous owners.
#32 Make your house feel more like home
I feel extremely passionate that your house should feel like home. It’s the place you will spend the majority of your time, so it’s important to make it feel homey.
I have put together a list of ways to make your house feel like home that you may not have thought of yet. Hopefully, you can do some of these things when you first move in so that your transition to your new home can feel seamless.
More practical new home ideas
Now for the more practical advice, haha. Even though it may not be as exciting as unboxing all of your items and dreaming up big plans for your new home, these practical things are still important to do. I have made a list to help you not forget amongst the fun!
#33 Set up your trash & recycling
Before you move in, you can call your local trash and recycling services in your area to set up your trash and recycling removal. You can even specify which day you will be moving in and when they should start charging your card to collect all your trash.
This is something that you DON’T want to forget! Especially when you are moving, because you will have a lot of trash and moving boxes to recycle during your first couple of days.
#34 Change your mailing address
It can be difficult to remember every single service that uses your mailing address, but it is so important to change to your new one. Start making a list now to make it easier later.
#35 Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Another huge safety item to have on your checklist is to test every single one of your smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. You will also want to check any carbon monoxide detectors to make sure you are remaining safe.
If you don’t have any carbon monoxide detectors, you will absolutely want to buy a couple for your new home. We bought a few plug-in ones to be safe, and I’m SO glad we did!
#36 Buy and replace all batteries
Along the same lines, now is also a great time to replace ALL of the batteries in your smoke detectors. You will want to replace them all at once; that way, you know the last time they were changed out and keep a regular schedule going forward. The recommendation is every 6 months!
It’s also a good idea to stock up on all-new batteries in general. That way, you can have each-sized battery for whatever comes your way during the first year of living in your home.
#37 Set up your internet and Wi-Fi
Just like setting up the rest of your utilities, you will want to call and set up your new internet and Wi-Fi so they can come out to install it right away. We can’t go without Wi-Fi! Am I right?!?
#38 Locate the main water shut-off valve & electrical breaker boxes
During your house tours, you may have forgotten to locate your water shut-off valves and electrical boxes because you were having too much fun looking at the important stuff like bathrooms, bedrooms, and the kitchen.
But it’s also SO important to know where these utilities live in case there is an emergency or you need to locate them quickly!
#39 Change air filters & buy a year’s supply
Every home comes with air ventilation filters, and you might not know when the last time the previous homeowners replaced theirs. Our AC guy recommended great filter options for us, so we went ahead and bought a year’s supply.
It’s WAY cheaper if you buy in bulk (specifically from Home Depot), and that way you just need to change them out once a month. We set a reminder in our calendars on the first of the month for this to make it easy!
#40 Update your address with your bank
Take time to call your bank and update your home address. It’s simple but important to do.
#41 Create a list of local service providers (plumber, electrician)
There is nothing worse than trying to find local providers during an emergency. So take the time now to create a list of local service providers like plumbers, electricians, pest control, and animal control. Keep this list on the fridge or in a nearby junk drawer. You’ll be so happy you did!
The 5 BIGGEST Mistakes to Avoid During the Move-In Process
This wouldn’t be a complete guide to new home moving ideas without covering the biggest mistakes to avoid!
These are the most common pitfalls during the move-in process – and avoiding them will make everything feel:
- calmer and headache-free
- faster and more organized
- and much more intentional
I wish I had known to avoid these things when I first moved into my house. 🤦♀️
Mistake #1: Painting or Installing New Flooring After You’ve Already Moved In
If you have the opportunity to get major painting & flooring done BEFORE you even move in, that’s ideal!
Once furniture is in the house, painting and flooring become a much bigger headache than expected. You’re suddenly:
- moving heavy furniture out of rooms (that you just moved in, haha)
- protecting your items with plastics and coverings
- working around tight, cluttered spaces to get the job done
- and living in partial chaos while things are updated.
What should feel like a fresh start quickly turns into disruption and stress.
But if you have the luxury, starting with a clean, empty space is the BEST-case scenario.
Mistake #2: Trying To “Finish” The House All At Once Instead Of Living In Your Space First
There is a common misconception that everything needs to be done immediately. So, you rush into decorating, organizing, and “finishing” rooms within the first few weeks.
This often leads to:
- buying furniture too quickly
- decorating every room at once
- forcing a “finished” look before you have lived in the space
The problem becomes, you don’t fully understand your home until you have actually lived in it for a bit!
When you try to finish everything too fast, you could end up making decisions based on urgency and regret them later.
Giving yourself time allows your home to naturally evolve into something that actually works for you.
Mistake #3: Buying Furniture Before Measuring Anything
One of the fastest ways to ruin the “new home” excitement is buying furniture before you’ve actually measured your space correctly.
Instead of feeling excited about your new decor, you are left with:
- a couch that doesn’t fit down your stairs (yes, this happened to us lol)
- a rug that feels completely off in scale
- a dining table that completely overwhelms the room and leaves barely any walking space
And the worst part is that you don’t realize that it is “wrong” until it’s already been delivered and placed in your home. Which means you need to deal with returns (which are the worst).
So, even though it isn’t the most exciting job, measuring your space makes everything actually work together.
You will thank yourself for the simple rule: “measure twice, buy once.”
Mistake #4: Rushing Into Landscaping Too Quickly
When you first move in, it’s so easy to look at your yard and want to “fix” everything right away:
But rushing into landscaping decisions can lead to:
- cutting back plants that look overgrown or messy
- removing things before you know what they are or how they behave seasonally
- assuming certain areas are “dead” or “useless” and clearing them out
- Or starting full redesigns before seeing how your space actually functions over time.
The problem isn’t wanting to change these things; it’s rushing into decisions that you can’t “undo”.
You have to allow yourself time to see what comes back, what thrives, and what needs to be changed.
Mistake #5: Letting “Temporary Setups” Become Permanent Decisions
It’s easy to fall into the trap that you will “just set things up for now”… and never actually change them.
- furniture gets placed whenever it fits
- storage ends up in random corners
- rooms are arranged to function, not to flow
But don’t allow your temporary setups to quietly become your permanent layouts.
Once you are settled into your home, it’s important to evaluate what is working and what you want to change. Never settle for the first vision of your space. Your home is meant to constantly grow with you!
Other Posts You Might Like:
Now that you’ve moved in, you might be thinking about your layout:
And you might be curious, “how-to” actually make your space feel finished:
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