Tips for setting up your new home

While moving day marks the end of a major transition, there are still some important steps to take before you can be fully settled in at your new house. Your furniture, electronics, clothes and other items are inside, but at least some of them still need to be installed and set up. Having a strategy for getting this last piece of the moving process completed can help your new space feel like home.

Make a move-in plan that keeps you focused

You can't expect to be fully moved in after just a day or two. Just like it's a good idea to start packing well before moving day - or to bring in professional packers to handle the heavy lifting - getting all of your belongings in the right places is more manageable when the work is spread out. In general, it's a good idea to start with the essentials. Hanging up the clothes you need for work, setting up your toiletries and putting kitchen utensils and dishware into cabinets and drawers can give you a livable space for the first few days, at least. From there, you can start unpacking the things you don't use on a daily basis.

Of course, it might be a priority to set up your TV so you don't miss the finale of your favorite show's latest season, or to set up your home office so you can start working as soon as possible. The important thing to keep in mind is making a plan that addresses your individual needs and aligns with how you like to manage tasks, then unpacking and setting up your home from there. Break up the work into manageable chunks, like unpacking a few boxes each night or getting one room completely set up each week. And consider giving yourself a reward when you've finished the job. That could mean everything from throwing a housewarming party to going out for dinner and spending a little time outside of your new home.

Lightening the load while moving in

Keep these quick tips in mind and you can make moving in that much easier:

• Have a plan for where your movers will bring each box and container. Having everything in the right place to start makes it that much easier to unpack. You can label boxes, use color coding or find another system that matches your organizational style.
• Sketch out, whether on paper or in your mind, where you want to place furniture, beds, major appliances, large electronics and other heavy or difficult-to-move items. This approach means there's a minimum of work for you to take on yourself, and you can always adjust the plan after you become more familiar with your new home.
• Get some help from friends and family. Unpacking is often less work than moving, so asking for assistance with moving a few pieces of furniture or setting up an entertainment center can sound less burdensome than an entire day of trips hauling heavy loads back and forth. Just be sure to offer a sign of appreciation, like a takeout dinner or grilling session, once the work is done.

Working with professional movers and packers makes the move-in process that much easier. To learn more about the advantages Atlas offers, get in touch with us today!