Preparing to Move into Your First Family Home
Moving is a big step at any stage of life, especially when it comes time to buy your first home. Whether your growing family needs more space or a new career opportunity leads to relocation, the transition and everything leading up to it can be overwhelming. We have a few tips to get you started on your new home search and help keep the experience positive.
Finding the perfect home
When looking for a new home, have a clear sense of the features you want or need. Open floor plans are sometimes best for families with small children or pets. Do you want one floor or multiple stories? If it’s important for the backyard to accommodate a swing set or give the kids room to play, then outdoor space might be more of a priority than other elements of the house.
If you have children or plan on expanding your family, investigating local school districts is helpful in deciding on where to focus your home search. You might also seek out neighborhoods where your kids can grow up with friends of the same ages. As you attend open houses or tour a home, observe the neighborhood for signs of other young children.
Commutes to both schools and work are also something to take into consideration. How early are you willing to wake up in the mornings and get everyone out the door on time? Do you want to fight traffic on your way to every after-school sporting event?
Lists, lists, lists
One of the most exciting things about moving into a new home is the opportunity for new furnishings. Couples combining two homes into one are sure to have discussions about what stays and what goes before moving in together. But prior to hitting the stores or perusing the web, make an organized list of things you need, want, and can discard. Pack your needed items that you already own and once you have them in your new space, figure out which items you are lacking. Going room-by-room can help you from becoming too overwhelmed while also helping you stay within your given budget.
When investing in new pieces, especially larger items like a new family dining room set, durable living room pieces, or a new bedroom set, it’s important to pace your buying in a way that coincides with your current financial priorities. This allows you to invest in higher quality pieces that will last a long time and can withstand wear and tear. This process also comes in handy when shopping to check things off in your “want” category. It reveals just how much room in your budget you have for more fun items like a new smart television or luxury furnishings that fit perfectly into a whimsical baby nursery.
When it comes to the furniture you no longer need, before kicking them to the curb to be thrown away, donate your gently used pieces to local charitable organizations like the Salvation Army or Goodwill. This makes sure your unwanted items don’t go to waste while making it an easy and low maintenance way to declutter. The Salvation Army also offers at-home pick options and does all the heavy lifting to make the process as convenient as possible. Or, if you would rather make a little extra money to put towards new furnishings, hold a garage or estate sale. Make it fun by creating it a little competition with your partner to see who can sell the most! Then use the profits for some of the items on your “want” list with the winner getting the first pick.
Designing your space with family in mind
You have already tackled the hurdle of combining your two design tastes, but with this new transition, you might find your styles have changed or need to take into account the possibility of a new addition. The first step to designing a home fit for a growing family is to make sure it is safe and hazard-free — in other words, “baby-proofed.” Babies can become mobile more quickly than you might think so be sure to store any cleaning chemicals, medications, and other harmful products in out-of-reach cabinetry. Shop around for easy-to-install options that are safe, stylish, and won’t damage your cabinetry. Check out this article for more helpful tips on baby-proofing and preparing your home for your new arrival.
Pet owners will want to design a home in a way that can withstand wear and tear and is easy to clean. This makes maintenance a little easier while creating a safer play space for a cat or dog. Have ample open space and refrain from incorporating easily breakable or fragile decor pieces. Keep special mementos and heirlooms up high, covered, or out of reach of an energetic dog or a curious cat. This keeps items safe while not compromising your design tastes. Designate a space in your home for your pet to make their area and buy fashionable bedding, toys, and amenities to make it stylish and functional.
Change is a good thing
If you and your partner are looking to change up the design of your new home to fit your evolving styles, look into different sites like Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. Once you find design themes that pique your interest, find a way to combine your tastes into one cohesive look. Or, if you just can’t seem to find that perfect color scheme or decide on the right furnishings to complement your space, reach out to an interior designer for some added help! They will help to take the stress out of the process, while creating a space that equally reflects you and your partner and this exciting new stage of your time together. Be sure to incorporate mementos or a photo gallery wall of your adventures together to really add a personal touch that reminds you of all your great adventures as a couple and the memories that still lie ahead.
Article contributed by Molly Kay with Arhaus.