Moving into a new apartment can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time. The trick is to create a list of things you need to tackle first before move-in day sets in.
If you don’t know where to start, there’s no need to sweat the details because below is a quick guide on what to do when moving into a new space.
What To Do When Moving into an Apartment?
1. Set up utilities
The first thing you need to do before moving into a new apartment is to set up the utilities so that by the time you move into your new space, everything is ready and functional.
Check your lease to see which utilities you need to arrange. Your landlord may cover water and trash, but you might need to take care of setting up the electricity, gas, internet, and cable.
You might need to call different companies for each utility, be sure to take down their contact numbers and addresses in advance so you won’t have any problems calling or locating their offices.
2. Paint the walls
Most apartments often come with white or neutral-colored walls. If that doesn’t fit your style, ask your landlord’s permission if you could paint the walls. You can do it yourself or call a contractor, but make sure to do it a few days before move-in day so the paint will have time to dry up and won’t drip into your furniture.
But before you start painting, inspect for any damage on the walls to notify your landlord. This way, they can note them as pre-existing damage or have the building’s maintenance crew repair them before you move in.
3. Clean the apartment
If your apartment went through repairs and a fresh coat of paint, clean the area before you move in. Cleaning is easier when you don’t have heavy furniture to obstruct the process.
Store any tools and leftover paint in a closet so you can reuse them later if you want to spruce your space.
Make sure to sweep and mop the floors to get rid of dust particles and grime. Remove cobwebs on the ceilings and crevices so your apartment looks more inviting. If you like, you can also clean the windows so you don’t have to worry about them later.
If you find any leftover things from the previous tenants, you can surrender them to the landlord or incorporate them into your new space if they don’t come back for them.
4. Make a floor plan
Arranging your furniture would be ten times easier if you create a floor plan before you move them in. If you’re renting a studio apartment, this will help you assign designated zones for your sleeping and living areas.
But if your apartment has rooms, it would still be handy for visualizing where you should place your bigger furniture. This way, you won’t have to keep moving them around the room to find the perfect place to put them.
Your floor plan doesn’t necessarily have to be precise and detailed. As long as you have an idea of where your things will go in your apartment, the move-in day will be less stressful for everyone involved.
5. Bring in your furniture
Once you’re done preparing your apartment, you can start bringing in your furniture. Get the bigger furnishings first, so they’re easier to maneuver around your space. This includes your bed, couch, dresser, and refrigerator to ensure they fit and have designated places in your apartment.
You can recruit friends or family to help you carry your things inside. If you have the budget, you can hire movers to make the process more efficient.
If you have pieces of furnishings that don’t fit into your apartment, you can give them away to anyone who needs them or sell them so you can afford to buy a replacement that fits your space better.
6. Unpack your things
When all of your furniture has its own place, you can then bring in the rest of your belongings.
Unpacking your things will be easier if you label the boxes in advance. This way, you’d know which room they belong in, and you won’t mix your stuff up.
Once you’re done arranging them around your apartment, it will be easier to take stock of which necessities you still need to get from the store – whether it’s curtains, bed sheets, toilet paper, or food so you can finally settle into your new space.
Looking for a painting contractor?
If you need help painting your new apartment, Soho Painters can help. They have the best team of professional painters in New York, so you can always expect exceptional results. They also offer wallpapering and exterior painting services to cover your painting needs. If you have questions or inquiries. contact their team now and book a free estimate.
