Smart Ways to Make Your New Home Sparkle Before Settling In

So you have decided to shift to a new home. All the preparations are done, the design is complete, and all the final touches have been added to the new place. You may think your job is done, but there’s a lot you can do for a better experience. 

Your place might look pristine at first glance, but there’s a lot that can lurk beneath the surface. Hidden dust, disorganized furniture placement, and abandoned corners can make your new home look unkempt and add to a feeling of discomfort. 

Want to create a healthy environment for yourself as well as the residents of your home before you move in? Here are a few tips that will make your home sparkle before you settle in; 

Step 1: Deep Cleaning

Before you move in, consider a final deep clean that will definitely get rid of any dust or dirt that irritates your sinuses, leaves a bad odor, or simply gives you the ick. A deep clean is a big project and it is important to plan ahead. Clear your schedule and get ready!

Pro Tip: Before you get started, make a small list of items you can take with you (absolute necessities) to set up while you’re cleaning. These will make your home feel a lot less empty. They include important things like bedsheets, curtains, bathtowels, etc. 

The Bathroom

• Dust from top to bottom, including the ceiling fans, vents, walls, etc. 
• Mop or vacuum the floors. 
• Disinfect all the light switches, sinks, door knobs, and any hard surfaces. 
• Scrub the sink, bathtub, toilet, and your shower. 
• Clean all mirrors, windows, and ledges. 
• Organize your medicine cabinet as well as shelves and drawers. 
• Wash all your towels, bathmats, shower curtains etc. 
• Take out the trash if any. 

The Kitchen

• Start with the stove top and give it a good wipe. 
• Clean your oven, microwave, coffee maker, and any other electrical appliance. 
• Clear out and deep clean the fridge and freezer, and vacuum underneath. 
• Clean all the cabinets, walls, the pantry, countertops, dishwasher, and the sink. 
• Sanitize high-touch areas like cabinet handles, light switches, sinks, countertops, etc. 
• Freshen up the garbage disposal by tossing some fresh lemon peels down the drain. 
• Clean the kitchen blinds, wash windows, wipe down walls, and take out the trash. 

The Bedroom 

• Dust everything, including all the furniture as well as artwork. 
• Vacuum underneath all furniture and clean behind any artwork. 
• Throw everything in the laundry and then set it up when ready. This includes curtains, bedsheets, table covers, etc. 
• Wash the windows and clean out the closet. Then set it up with necessities. 
• Set up any rugs or carpets you might have brought along with you. 

The Living Room

• Dust everything you can get your hands on. This includes the fan, vents, shelves, artwork, plants (if any), TV, speakers, and so on. 
• Wash the windows, walls, and baseboards. Follow that up with a mop or vacuum of the space. 
• If you have couches that tend to collect dust, make sure you vacuum them too. Include an inspection of the chairs, curtains, and carpets. 
• Wash pillow covers if needed. 
• Sanitize doorknobs, light switches, and any remote controls plus electronics. 
• Organize things that seem scattered. 

Step 2: Making Your House Feel Like a Home

The best way to make your house feel more like a home is to add your essence to it. Remember those items you set aside for your home? Starting adding those to the walls and shelves. 

These may include accent pieces, art, or other kinds of decorative items. You can also choose certain items from your old home that have sentimental value and bring them into your new home to make it feel more lived in. 

You don’t need to spend a lot on fancy decor items. Even small additions can make the home feel a lot more cozy. Invest in curtains, sheers, and blinds that allow you to let natural light in when you want and avoid excessive heat at the same time. 

Rugs or carpets are another great addition to the home. Add a few soft rugs to your living room for that sensory bliss whenever you are feeling overwhelmed. Choose a nice coffee table and a couple of scented candles and you have yourself a home! 

You should be able to walk into your home and feel welcomed. The space should feel like your own, not like something out of an architecture catalogue. 

Step 3: Setting the Mood for the Move

Lighting is the best way to adjust the atmosphere of your home. Decide what type of lighting you want in each room. You can use soft warm lamps for the bedroom and living area and brighter lights for the kitchen or the office. 

Start adding a few plants here and there. Snake plants, pothos, and peace lilies are a great idea if you want to soften the space. 

A day before you are supposed to move, consider using diffusers or essential oils like lavender, sandalwood, or citrus to make the space feel fresh. Keep small sachets or reed diffusers in the corners of your kitchen so that when you walk in you are greeted by a soft fragrance. 

You could also consider rearranging your furniture one last time. Even if you have minimal pieces, arrange them so you create open pathways and cozy “zones.” These may be reading nooks, dining spots, or anything else that comes to mind. 

Keep it simple and make the most of your entertainment system. As soon as you step in, set up a calming playlist that helps reduce all that stress that normally comes with unpacking. 

Pro Tip: Consider hiring a professional Oklahoma City moving company that can handle the entire move for you giving you the peace of mind you need to manage all the other important things on the final day. 

Final Thoughts

Making your space feel comfortable enough goes way beyond the aesthetics. You need to invest time and effort into creating an environment that reminds you of all the spaces you really like. You should ideally want to spend more time in your home, even if it wasn’t your own. 

Thoughtful lighting, greenery, calming scents, furniture placement, and soothing music can all come together to make that house a home. By adding simple elements to the design as well as ensuring your home is squeaky clean before the move, you can definitely ensure you have a wide smile on your face on move-in day!