To help you step into your new home on the right foot, we’ve put together a guide with the best organising (and decorating!) ideas for a successful move. We can’t promise it’ll be easy, but at least you’ll have everything under control.
With the excitement of the change and a thousand things to do, it’s easy to make a few organisational and logistical slip-ups, even if you’ve hired a removals company. So let’s go over the key points to keep in mind so your move doesn’t keep you up at night. Congratulations on your new home!
1. Leaving loose ends
Contrary to what you might think, it’s better to tackle the “little jobs” before you unpack everything. That way you’ll avoid having to move the furniture if you want to restore the floor, or cover it up if you plan to paint. Besides, it’s far easier to finish off those touch-ups with the house still empty than once the boxes and furniture are in place.
2. Measuring incorrectly
When you take measurements, be careful not to run into nasty surprises, for example when positioning a sofa or a fridge. Measure your windows carefully to get the right blinds and make sure your furniture fits the available space. Don’t forget the building’s communal areas, especially in an older block: hallways, the main door, stairway width, the lift… It wouldn’t be the first time someone has had to haul a washing machine up to the sixth floor.
3. Factoring in delivery delays
If you need to buy furniture, watch the delivery times, especially for essentials like a fridge, a bed and… a sofa! Remember that delays are common.
Also make sure your larger new purchases fit through the front door; if not, plan to hire a hoist.
4. Rushing too much
Keep in mind that you don’t need to set up the whole house in five days or buy all the furniture and décor before you move. On the contrary, it’s sometimes easier to plan your decorating style once you’re actually living there. Only inside the new home will you really see the space, the layout and be able to measure properly, along with the decorative details you want to add.
You may have ideas on paper that later don’t suit your taste or the interior space. It’s better to move in with some of your old furniture than to buy everything before you have the keys. Plus, your payments will be more spread out.
5. Not packing boxes until the “big day”
If you’ve hired a removals company but the packing is down to you, be careful not to start making up boxes on moving day itself. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, begin packing at least a week in advance. You’ll save time and face the move far more calmly. What’s more, on the big day you’ll be free to handle the final adjustments and, above all, you’ll have time to give any instructions needed.
6. Not knowing how much you’re taking
This isn’t a huge deal if you’re going from one flat to a three-bedroom one, but otherwise it makes things harder, especially for a DIY move with help from family and friends. Many van rental and removals companies offer a tool to estimate the volume of your belongings.
7. Not getting several quotes
My advice: search, compare and, if you find something better… go for it! Do your homework and request a quote from at least three companies in advance. Bear in mind that word of mouth is often your best bet.
8. Packing away every cleaning product and tool
Before putting your belongings and clothes into the new home, it’s worth giving it a once-over, even if it looks spotless at first glance. To do that, keep kitchen roll, cloths, disinfectants and, of course, bin bags within reach, or at least know exactly which box they’re in. An Allen key or a screwdriver won’t go amiss either.
9. Skipping the inventory
Taking a good look at the condition of your new home, especially a rental, will save you plenty of headaches. Take stock as soon as you arrive and note down any small defects you find (doors that won’t close, extractor fans that don’t work, dripping taps…). Better safe than sorry.
10. Missing the chance to declutter
There’ll never be a better time to make the most of your home while getting rid of whatever you no longer use. If you let the opportunity slip, you’ll end up packing unnecessary things into boxes that will sit forgotten for months in the storage room… or under the bed?
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At Mudanzas Trallero we help you plan your move in Barcelona or Madrid without any surprises. Ask us for a no-obligation quote!
