Five steps to transform your new house into an organized home
You’ve packed the boxes and they’ve arrived at your new house, but now what?
Walking into a new house feels like a fresh start because it is a fresh start. Hopefully you’ve had a chance to go through your belongings when you packed, but either way, take advantage of this time to get ahead of clutter and stay organized.
We’ve simplified setting up your new home with five key organizing strategies, one room at a time.
Organize as you go
It might be tempting to throw things in drawers to deal with them “later,” but you’ll thank us if you take the time to organize as best you can right away. Don’t forget, you will inevitably have packed a few things you should have donated, so purge as you go.
Pro tip: Hang a piece of paper on each door and keep a running list of items you need to buy to organize your room, like extra storage bins or drawer dividers.
2. Start in the bedroom
Once the boxes have made it to their respective rooms, assemble the bed frame and make your bed - you’ve earned a good night's sleep!
Next, grab your clothing boxes and hang items in closets and fold the rest into your drawers. Living out of a suitcase or box wondering where your socks are is no fun!
Pro tip: Start with the kids’ rooms. Cranky kids = no fun.
3. Next, setup your bathroom
Head to the bathroom to put up the shower curtain, unpack the medicine cabinet essentials (like medication and band-aids), and of course, hang the toilet paper.
If you’ve got a full house, consider dedicating a drawer by person or persons (like kids). We like using drawer dividers to help keep things grouped.
Pro tip: Don’t forget the inside of doors can double as storage. Grab some removable hooks and make use of them, too!
4. Head to the Kitchen
This is often the place where people start and there is no wrong answer, we just like to sleep more! The sooner you can set up the kitchen, the less you’ll spend on takeout!
When you’re unpacking those boxes, consider your movements when you’re cooking a meal to make meal prep flow and effortless. We suggest keeping the pots and pans near the stove, the dishes above/by the dishwasher, and the glasses near the sink or fridge.
Pro tip: Use clear containers to keep similar things together. You know what we’re going to say next: Label it.
5. Create a family space
The reason the living room is the last room on our list is because if things are looking too comfy, it may be tempting to take a “quick” break and lose momentum.
There are lots of great products out there that will double as extra stylish storage like ottomans with compartments, large decorative baskets for blankets, bins to corral movies or toys.
Pro tip: Wait to decorate to avoid unwanted holes in the walls.
Above all else, remember: you don’t have to do it all in one day or alone!
So long as your very basics are setup, like a place to lay your head, you’re doing AOK.