Your guide to a stress-free first-home setup

Setting up your first home is an exciting milestone, but with all the things to consider, it can also feel quite overwhelming.

It’s thus essential to create a checklist to keep track of every detail to ensure nothing gets overlooked. Planning ahead can transform your journey into a smooth and rewarding experience.

BEFORE THE BIG MOVE

1 Define your budget

Set a realistic budget for everything you need to buy and list them according to priority from furniture, fixtures, appliances to home essentials. Decide on which pieces you want to invest in right away and which ones you’ll buy as temporary placeholders to replace later on.

Don’t rush to buy everything at once. Take your time to find pieces that fit your style.

2 Know your space

Take measurements of rooms, doorways, and spaces to make sure that your furniture will fit. This is especially important for large pieces like couches or beds.

Plan your furniture layout by visualizing the space. If you have, use software applications or sketch a floor plan to see how different pieces will fit and flow within each room.

3 Decide on the overall aesthetic

Look through magazines or digital platforms to help you visualize and take inspiration on how you want your space to look. Check out furniture options from different sources including online marketplaces or brick and mortar shops for more variety.

4 Make a moving plan

Set a schedule for packing, moving, and settling in. Create a timeline for booking movers, furniture and essentials shopping, and days to pack.

5 Pack smartly

Sort packing items through labeled boxes based on rooms—from kitchen, bedroom to living room—to make unpacking easier. Pack a “first-night” bag with essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, bedding, chargers, and snacks.

6 Clean your new space

Before moving in, give your new space a thorough cleaning. It’s much easier cleaning an empty space. This will not only help you identify any cleaning supplies you’ll need, but will also make your move-in day much easier by reducing the workload.

7 Set up utilities and stock up on essentials

Ensure internet, cable and TV, and phone services are ready for use before moving in. Do a little grocery shopping to stock up your pantry. Having basic food supplies on hand will save you time and effort during the busy moving days.

DURING THE MOVE

8 Unpack essentials first

Start by setting up items that you will need to survive the first few nights such as your bedding, basic kitchen tools, and bathroom items.

9 Set up furniture

Start arranging the larger furniture in their designated spaces. Remember to leave some flexibility—you’re likely to adjust the layout as you settle in.

10 Organizing items

Maximize your storage by assigning specific spots for items in the kitchen and bathroom so everything has its place. Doing this as you unpack will help you stay organized and will ensure you never misplace anything.

AFTER MOVING IN

11 Familiarize yourself on maintenance

Familiarize yourself with your property’s maintenance policies—how to report issues, who to contact for repairs, among others. Regularly check for small issues before they become bigger problems.

12 Enjoy and adjust

Take time to enjoy your new space. Adjusting to it may take time, but enjoy this moment of accomplishment. Don’t feel like everything needs to be perfect immediately—this is your space, and it will evolve with time.