Home sweet home

When it comes to moving, it is very easy to get caught up in packing and unpacking. The process can be overwhelming and as you focus on making it a stress-free move, you can soon forget to focus on settling in. Yet, easing into a new home is just as important as the move itself and with this advice, you’ll be happy in your new home in no time!

It might feel like a chore but one of the most important things to do first is to begin unpacking. Boxes can soon be left in the corner and you’ll be amazed at how long they stay there for. How will you ever settle in if you have boxes left to unpack? Tackle the big projects first and place large furniture items where you want them. Take on one project at a time and move from room to room – it may take you a whole weekend to finish unpacking but once it’s done, it’s done.

It is also important to make your home feel personal. It can be easy to leave objects like photographs, candles and trinkets unpacked for weeks on end, but these small items can have a big impact in making a property feel like home. Light your favourite candle, lie out the living room rug and pin the children’s drawings to the fridge. Another top tip that makes settling in easy, is to make your bed. It may be a task that gets overlooked but it’s one of best ways to make your room really feel like yours.

Once the hard work is out of the way, get outside and start exploring. Whether you’ve relocated to a new city, town or simply a new road, there are bound to be areas that you’ve never come across. Make sure you know where the local shops are, find out about the best restaurants and use coffee shops as a place to meet other residents. Introducing yourself to neighbours may also seem daunting but it’s a great way of fitting in.

Children can find it very difficult to settle into a new home so it’s a good idea to prepare them in the upcoming weeks. Create an air of excitement and adventure rather than sadness at leaving. Similarly if you have pets, you will also need to take extra precautions when it comes to letting them out at your new property.

It is also crucial to redirect your post. After all, if you don’t let Royal Mail know that you’ve changed address, how will your friends and family know how to reach you?

Moving house is a significant moment in time and you can never do enough forward planning but it is also important to try and enjoy it so before you do anything, stick the kettle on and breathe.