Guest Author - Donna Coogan

Moving into a new home can be an exciting experience, but also a stressful one. Here are some home improvement ideas to make the transition a more pleasant one:

1. Schedule your hook-ups prior to moving in so that your home is ready to go as soon as you get there. This includes your water/sewer, electricity, phone and cable t.v. It’s so much nicer to move into a fully functioning home than to wait several days or longer before utilities are ready.

2. Install a floor mat at all entrances for everyone to wipe their feet on. Moving day involves a lot of foot traffic, so take measures to protect your floors.

3. Install a security system into your new home. Consider special locks on all doors and windows as well as a wired alarm system. It’s worth it to take measures that your new home and its occupants are safe from potential break-ins.

4. Hang the window treatments. If you install blinds or shades and other basic window treatments right away, you will instill some privacy in your home that will make it feel more comfortable. When choosing blinds and shades, consider whether you want to have insulating qualities or light blocking elements for each particular room.

5. Install closet storage systems. You’ve probably heard the saying that you “should have a place for everything and everything should have a place.” If you begin organizing your closets, pantry, basement or garage from the time you move in, then you will keep your home manageable and all your stored belongings accessible. Closet organizer systems are great do-it-yourself projects, with the supplies found at places like Lowes or Home Depot. An organized, decluttered home is one that you’ll be more inclined to take good care of and you will be able to spend more time enjoying it rather than searching for misplaced items.

6. Unpack! Sounds simple, but it’s a crucial step that many new homeowners skip over. They unpack just so much and then leave the rest for “later.” Sometimes it takes months before everything is unpacked. Sometimes it is never all unpacked and boxes are left in the basement or garage for years. But, you will feel more settled in your home if you unpack everything as soon as you can and put it all away. Then make sure you get rid of all the packing materials. You don’t need to save all those cardboard containers for “someday.” Otherwise you will attract bugs and mildew that can quickly overrun and destroy your home!

7. Throw it out! It seems fairly obvious to have already sorted through your things and discarded what you didn’t want before packing. But, the truth is, many people move without ever deleting anything first. Take the time as you unpack, to get rid of what you don’t want. Sort your items into groups: those for keeping, those for charity and those to toss. Then, follow through on each one. A new home is a fresh start. Don’t set it up with things that you will never use or enjoy. It will just make it feel crowded and uncomfortable and ruin your decor.

The things you can do when you first move in to make your home feel more secure and organized, the easier you will the transition to your new space. Remember that the nicer your home feels – the better you will take care of it, which is the ultimate home improvement!

See the link below for more home improvement tips when moving into a new home.