You’ve done all the planning and coordinating. You’ve tackled moving day. Congrats! Now it’s time for the next phase of your new chapter - settling into your new space. Sometimes the trickiest part of the moving process is making your new house feel like what it is - home!
In the third and final installment of our moving blog series, we’re revealing our top strategies to help you get settled into your new space and have it feeling like home asap!
(If you missed the first two blogs in our series, you can catch up on them here!)
have your movers unpack & haul packing materials
If it’s in the budget, we recommend having your movers unpack for you so they can corral all the boxes, paper, and bubble wrap and GET IT OUT. Clearing out those packing materials is half the battle, and you will feel so much more at ease with all of it gone! If you don’t have your movers unpack, have a friend or family member on trash duty to get the cardboard and paper out.
prioritize & plan your unpacking
Have a plan in place for which spaces you’d like to get set up first. This will depend on your lifestyle and preferences, but thinking ahead and deciding where to start will help smooth things out. Here’s what we suggest:
Start with the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and if you want your home to feel comfortable as quickly as possible, set up the space where you nourish your family, literally and figuratively! You’ll have 3 days of clothes and other necessities in your survival kit but you won’t have meals in there. Plan a grocery delivery or find time to hit the store. Make sure you’re stocked with everyone’s favorite snacks, spices, kitchen staples and beverages. This is also a great time to replenish any items that may have expired/tossed before the move.
Sage Wisdom: plan a family meal and schedule a date! Meals are a universal time when everyone comes together. The day stops and conversation starts, giving us a chance to reconnect. Make a point of gathering the family to have a meal together - it will make the new house feel a home!
Next unpack your kids to help them settle in. While adults can survive without the creature comforts for a while, kids can become deregulated quickly, so it’s best to help them acclimate and adjust as soon as possible. If you aren’t able to coordinate a playdate for moving day, set them up with an activity! If they’re old enough, have them help unpack their toys and decide where they should go. You'll be amazed how they take ownership of the space. If they’re on the younger side, coloring pictures of your new home and neighborhood is a great activity to keep them occupied.
As you are unpacking each room, make note of the things you use most often and plan to place those on/in the most accessible shelves, drawers, etc. Think about how you are going to use your things in your new space. Will you swap your clothes each season? Do you have a storage unit, attic or basement where you can place items that don’t need to be accessible? Considering these things will help you devise a space plan that works for your lifestyle.
set up systems & start decorating
Once you’ve got everything unpacked and in the right general spaces/areas, it’s time for the fun part - get organized and start nesting! Here are some tips to get you started on the right path:
Upgrade your hangers. For an instant aesthetic and organizational boost, invest in uniform hangers. It’s a small, affordable change that makes your closet feel polished.
Display a few personal pieces. Set out family photos, travel souvenirs, or decorative objects on your dresser or nightstand. Familiar touches bring warmth and comfort into your space immediately.
Add a touch of green. A few well-placed plants breathe life into any room and make it feel like someone truly lives there.
Layer in area rugs. Rugs define your spaces and soften your surroundings. They help make a new place feel grounded, intentional, and cozy.
Unpack your favorite textiles. Whether it’s your coziest throw blanket, a beloved quilt, or linen sheets, familiar textures create comfort and a sense of belonging.
Play music you love. A curated playlist in the background can instantly lift the energy and help you feel more settled as you unpack and organize.
If you are feeling at home but still not organized, setting up your family’s organizational systems is where we come in! Our team has the skills and expertise to help turn your new house into the home of your dreams. With our full suite of move management services, we’ll help you get organized and settled into your home in no time!
Want to book us for your upcoming move? Let Sage Organization and Design handle your process from start to finish!