When you’re about to move into a new apartment or house, there are a lot of things to think about, do and plan.
Organize the move, but also transfer electricity, water, internet contracts, think about changing the locks… For all these things, I really recommend that you use checklists to make your life easier.
This is what I did for my last move. And even though it was still quite a stressful stage, it helped me a lot.
But moving into a new home also means all the things you don’t necessarily think about. In my case, what surprised me the most was how long it took me to really feel at home, in my new house.
However, I was warned: it takes around 1 year to feel at home. At the time it seemed crazy to me. In reality, it took me longer.
Each move will be different, in this article, I am simply sharing the things I wish I had known before moving in, it would have helped me a lot at the time!
Moving in means a new life.
It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how complicated most people’s lives are with a difficult and expensive move. We all tend to tell ourselves that we will sort things out once we are in our new home, instead of organizing a major decluttering before the move.
Wanting everything to be perfect won’t help you
The best is the enemy of good. We generally have an extremely positive idea of our new home. Everything will be perfect, we will feel moving into my new housegood there from the first day, everything will be ok once the move is over…
On the contrary, expect surprises and unforeseen events. I don’t want to play the pessimist, just bring a little reality to the situation! And it’s perfectly normal when you think about it, everything can’t be perfect, you just have to accept it. The fun part consists of recreating a pleasant environment, a house in which you really feel at home.
It’s going to take time and that’s normal. Involve family, and even friends, it’s a friendly and creative moment to share with several people.
Becoming an owner cannot be learned
When you are a tenant, you dream of becoming an owner. This was my case. I can finally do what I want at home! But once I became an owner, I also realized the good sides of being a tenant. Less stress, less maintenance, less things to manage. This lawn is not going to mow itself! If you are going from renting a studio to owning a house, you will quickly understand that the transition can be quite stressful.
Weekends quickly become busy with todos of things to do, just to keep up the upkeep of the house. My advice: also take the time to enjoy your home, even if everything is not perfect! Plan meals with your friends, even if your house isn’t ready and you have boxes lying around.
Take the time to live in your new home
You probably already have a good idea of what you want in your new space. But the reality is that it takes time to get used to the place. A house is experienced and imagined over time. You don’t have to have a super precise idea of the decoration and layout of each room. If you live with several people, each person in the household will also have specific needs. The ideal family home is built… as a family!
Living in your house for a few months will certainly bring you new ideas. You will have a better idea of the textures you want, the materials to favor, the dimensions and the space you want to create.
If you are planning renovations, same advice. Wait at least 12 months before jumping in and breaking everything! What you think is a good idea now may seem pointless in a while.
For each room, the light will be different depending on the season, the time of day… This brightness will influence your choice of objects and furniture, paintings. Take the time to experience each room for a few months to get a better idea of the atmosphere you want.
If you are a control freak with perfectionist tendencies, you risk having a bad time moving in! You will stress yourself out for nothing. Your ideal home is the one you imagine over time, it is a long-term project.
You gradually add the decoration and furniture that will give character to your home. Feeling good at home doesn’t mean copying and pasting the most inspiring Instagram pages or catalogs. Your interior should reflect your character and personality.
Investing for quality
If you absolutely need to replace some furniture, my advice is to invest in quality furniture for important pieces like the sofa. Same thing for your mattress. It is an investment because it is often an expensive purchase, but you will keep this mattress or sofa for many years…