Top 5 things to do AFTER you have moved in to your new home

So you have gone through the conveyance of a property and the agent tells you that they have exchanged and are ready for you to collect the keys! You are super excited, you have just picked up the keys to your new home! You stand in your living space and your life is in boxes, the movers hopefully didn't break anything and you have just about figured out which key goes to which door and window! TADAAAA you are officially moved in... But what now!? Where do you start? Where is the kettle?  And how do you get to that point where you function in your new space?

It can feel so overwhelming when you first move into your home. All your worldly belongings which all had a place and a use at one time are now in a pile of boxes and bags. What about now? Where do you start? I remember when we moved into our house we spent the first hours just walking from room to room staring at and shifting boxes (which I thought I had well organised - if you are not sure about this part, head to this blog post for BEFORE you move.) The following is a guide to get your sorted within ONE day of moving in. 

Step 1: Take photos of the meter readings - This is boring but important for when you finally get down to setting up your move in accounts with your gas, water and electric people. You wont need to set up these accounts super urgently, but having these meter readings photographed on your move in date will save you the worry and hassle at a later date

Step 2: Start with the Kitchen - This is the room that will be the heart of the home, so get the heart set up and the rest will follow.

• Give the cabinets a good wipe down with some de-greaser and disinfectant (its highly unlikely that the previous people cleaned it perfectly - did you do a deep clean when you moved out?)
• Find the cupboard closest to the dishwasher or sink and near a plug (hopefully the kitchen is well designed for this to be obvious). In this cupboard put all your glassware and mugs, plug the kettle in and get the teabags out - tea and coffee station complete! Now make a brew and have a good look around the rest of the kitchen to plan the rest of it.
• Work outwards from the cooker
  • Closest: Cooking implements
  • Closer: Pots and pans
  • Close: Plates and bowls.
• Baking stuff and casserole dishes near the oven.
• Any small and medium sized appliances like your blender, chopper, kitchen machines must be places in positions where it is easy to access and plug in. If your kitchen is well designed this will be obvious, if not then a few different setups should be tried before settling on the best way that works for you.
• Cupboard food goods are the last to go in.
  • Keep herbs and spice labels easily readable and visible
  • Keep all your baking things together
  • I would recommend putting a metal tray under your oils as they tend to drip and stain the cabinet

Step 3: ​Get your capsule wardrobe organised (head to the BEFORE you move blog post to for more advice on how to pack for this).

1. Get your underwear sorted. There is nothing worse than having to hunt around a house you aren't used to, covered only in a hand towel, flashing the neighbours as you don't have curtains up looking for some underpants. Not a good first impression to give or a good way to start your day for that matter.
2. Hang your capsule wardrobe up as soon as possible, it will prevent it from getting really creased and make going about your working day in the next few weeks a breeze. 

Step 4: Bathroom matters - This is the space where we rejuvenate and refresh ourselves. Get the basics sorted in here so you can give yourself a good base to start off from at the beginning of each day and keep your everyday comforts.

• Make sure that you have two set of towels (it might take you a while to do some laundry)
• Get your must have products (keep this list as short as possible for now) out and in a row so you can find them easily. Oh and razors or trimmers or whatever you use, know where they are and get them in the bathroom asap.
• Loo paper - essential, necessary - make sure there are a few in every bathroom. That's is all that needs to be said. 

Step 5: ​Bed space - this is the resting space where at the end of a hectic unpacking day, you need to retire to. So sorting out the basics in here is essential.

1. Weather you are sleeping on a mattress on the floor, or if you have actually got a bed set up, treat yourself to fresh sheets and pillowcases - this will improve the quality of your sleep. Make sure you have a good duvet as you may not have figured out how to sort out the heating by the end of your first day.
2. Light control and privacy in your bedroom is also vital. It is important to have darkness to sleep so I would advise having eye masks handy to allow you to get dark without having any curtains set up.
3. Also maybe keep some lounge wear or a dressing gown near your bed so you can put them on and stand up in your bedroom without flashing the neighbours (like the underwear scenario above).

​If you achieve these basic 5 steps on day 1 or 2 of moving into  your new home, you are winning at life. Let me know if these tips work for you!