Moving into a new home can be downright chaotic, but with these handy tips, you can turn the chaos into calm.
Just arrived at your new home and overwhelmed by boxes, bags and bubble wrap?
There’s no need to panic. With a bit of planning and some handy hacks up your sleeve, you’ll have your home neat and tidy in no time.
From prioritising the right spaces, to setting up your internet – ideally with a suitable nbn® plan to power up your new abode.
Here are 9 ways to get unpacked, get organised and get settled.
1. Have your internet ready on day one
Internet is the central nervous system of your household, underpinning almost everything you do. It is the internet that will enable your Wi-Fi connection so you can connect all your devices around your new home.
To help ensure you’re not without internet for long in your new place, chat with your provider prior to your move about getting connected – ideally four weeks before your move in date.
To help make sure your new home’s connectivity is up to the task, consider whether your current internet plan still suits your needs, or if the new home may need an internet upgrade – especially if you work from home, have kids with their own devices or live in a share house.
2. Pack your first-night essentials separately
While the focus here is obviously on settling in, this fundamental pre-move step can make all the difference to your first night (and your stress levels).
When packing up your old home, set aside a separate box or bag with all your essentials: PJs, toothbrushes, medications, chargers, snacks and spare undies.
With everything easily accessible, you don’t have to rummage through boxes late at night and can get straight to where you want to be: in the shower and into bed.
To save yourself some stress, employ this strategy for your tech, too.
3. Unpack critical spaces first
Once you’re ready to start unpacking, start with your most-used spaces.
Bedrooms will likely be number one on the list, given you need somewhere to sleep on your first night.
The bathroom may come next, then the kitchen so you can avoid blowing your budget on takeaway and get straight back to cooking.
You might then choose to focus on your living room to resume your wind-down routine in front of the TV, and you’ll likely need the internet to watch your favourite streaming programs before finishing off with storage and low-traffic areas like the laundry, garage and spare room (because you probably won’t be hosting guests right away).
4. Get the big stuff in place
Items like books and photo frames can probably wait a while.
Instead, spend some time playing around with the layout and figuring out the ideal furniture arrangement in your current space.
There are even some online tools that will allow you to experiment with layouts before move-in day.
And any bulky furniture pieces such as beds, lounges, fridge, dining setting, washer and dryer, or TV that don’t fit in your new place, try donating or selling them – that way they can have a whole new life and avoid ending up as landfill.
5. Resume your normal routine
A consistent routine brings a sense of calm to an otherwise stressful process.
Kickstart your normal schedule right from the beginning: your morning workout or walk with the dog; your usual breakfast of coffee and toast; your daily meditation; and your typical relaxation ritual with a book and glass of wine.
6. Get your food sorted
A weekly menu gives your household visibility of upcoming meals and provides a bit of stability in the new home.
(Bonus: it also puts a stop to those nagging “What’s for dinner?” questions).
Place it next to your centrally-located calendar or add it as a shared note or document that appears on your family’s devices.
