Many of my clients, or their college-aged children are moving. The thoughts of resettling are never high on any of our wish lists; we’d prefer it to just “happen” somehow. However, my friend Lise LeBlanc, gives us this plan provided by her realty–
1: Unpack Essentials First like a few days clothing, toiletries, tools, pet supplies. Put them in their rspective rooms.
2: Wipe out shelves, clean windows, & mop under appliances before putting things away. Plan ahead where to place certain items, like putting dishes & glassware in the cupboards above the dishwasher. Decide what goes where before unpacking.
3: Plan where to place furniture before putting it in place. Make a sketch of the room, and locate furniture on the sketch. Easier to erase a sketch than move a heavy piece of furniture.
4: Focus on unpacking one room at a time. Unpack the items most-used first, like shower curtains, toilet paper, soap, kitchen glasses, silverware, dishes. Set-up the beds, and make them with fresh linens.
5: Unpacking the living room can be done by everyone living there, as it will contain lots of items & several electronic hook-up. Use a surge protector when setting up computers or stereo equipment.
6: Have the garage set up with shelves & hooks for tool placement, yard supplies, and sports equipment.
7: Make your house feel like your home. Hang window shades, blinds, or curtains. Consider painting some rooms a different color. Add new knobs to cabinets, and/or refinish the cabinets. Hang family pictures, artwork, and mirrors. Add potted plants.
8: As you unpack boxes, take inventory to see that nothing has been lost or broken. Remember insurance claims need to be filed within a few days of moving, and damaged items need be kept as evidence.
9: Collapse each moving box as it is emptied, and set aside for storage or recycling.
10: Start of list of home repairs & maintenance that needs to be done; and create a shopping list to make sure you have everything you need.
Before you know it, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your new space! Remember, in order to be functional for you, it should fit you like your favorite shoe fits. After you are in, ask yourself, “Does the Shoe…..FIT?” If you need some help, give us a call; we’re the interior & exterior space experts.
