What to Do the First 24 Hours in a New Place
The first 24 hours in a new place are vital — they can make a difference on how the first few months go and set the tone for the rest of the time you live there. So how should you spend the first 24 hours in a new place? Consider this list as your guide for those precious first hours.
Document everything and save it all or send it
If your landlord has asked you to fill out a condition report, do it as soon as you’re able to, and follow their instructions on whether you’re to drop it off to them or send a digital file, and include photos if you can. Also make plenty of notes and photos to keep yourself. And while there might be plenty of other things you want to dive into doing, also consider doing a walk-through and taking notes of certain maintenance items you want to do, like make your windows more energy efficient, and more. You don’t have to do anything just yet, just make a list.
Clean some spots that seem to need it
Even if your new home was cleaned before you moved in (and hopefully it was!) there still sometimes seems like there are a few spots that need a little extra attention by you. Some folks prefer taking extra swipes over places like toilet seats and door knobs. We like to suggest you do an extra clean in places that you might not be reaching often when your furniture gets into place.
Put together all the furniture and put it where it’s supposed to go
Start with the furniture that needs to be assembled, getting them together and putting them and their non-assemblage needing siblings in the rough areas of where they need to be located. If you didn’t have a lot of time to see the space before you move in and don’t have a furniture plan in place, go with your gut.
Make your bed
Trust us on this one, once your bed is assembled and in place, make it so you don’t have to try and find and wrestle with sheets after a long day of moving boxes.
Put all the boxes in the right rooms
You don’t have to unpack all the boxes yet, but at least try and move the boxes to the correct rooms they belong in. Whether you unpack in one long, unbroken string of hours or peck at it a bit as your first weeks in your new home go by, it’ll make it easier to put away and put together small areas and whole rooms faster if you’re not darting from room to room.
Take out and arrange your daily stuff
There are some things you just need on a daily basis. From toiletries, to towels to coffee-making supplies, take out the things you need and arrange them as best you can, and you’ll make having to get ready for work in a sea of boxes a lot easier.
Introduce yourself to any neighbors you come across
You don’t have to bring over warm, oven-baked cookies or anything, but if you happen across any neighbors in your first 24 hours in your new place, don’t tuck your chin and run (even if you are dirty from moving). Say hello and establish friendly terms early on.
Avoid doing loud things like hanging paintings and vacuuming late at night
Even though you’re bent on working through the night to get as much stuff done as possible, your neighbors are probably just trying to enjoy their lives (and sleep) as they normally are. So try not to be extra noisy and start out on the most considerate foot first.
(If there’s still time) Complete one room as much as possible
Choose a small space and try to “complete” it as much as you can. Unpack the boxes for that room and put stuff up where it needs to go (while making note of any storage solutions you might need in that space). Maybe not hang the art on the walls yet, but at least unwrap and lean in a spot near where’d you like to put it. Do all this so when the sea of boxes that seems never-ending threatens your sanity in the coming weeks, you’ll have one spot in your home you can retreat to so you can forget you just uprooted your life!
Re-edited from a post originally published 5.5.15-LS