Tackle Moving and Plan Your New Home’s Decor in 5 Simple Steps

28th July, 2016

step fourContemplating the move to a new house can be exciting, daunting and just a little bit overwhelming, especially if you are moving from a home that you have lived in for years, or if you are downsizing to a smaller property.

Being prepared and organised is essential during this time and the most effective way to deal with this process is by taking a step-by-step approach.

Step 1 – Clear the Clutter

However tedious it may seem, preparing to move does have its advantages – It is an excellent opportunity to get organised!

Now is the time to address all the items in your current home and eliminate any clutter you have collected over the years. Clutter disrupts the aesthetics and functions of an environment, it can make us distracted and unmotivated, and that’s not something you want to introduce into your new home.

So how do you decide what to keep and what to get rid of? Well, it’s important to be brave, honest and ruthless here. If you haven’t worn, used or looked at something for the past year, then toss it, donate it or sell it.

Start with a yes, a no and a maybe pile and then work back from there. It’s important not to get stressed about things, if the new house has adequate storage and you just can’t separate yourself from the sentimental value of an object, then it can be kept and addressed again once you have moved in.

If storage space at the new house is of a premium you could consider keeping some items in a storage facility. Once you have settled in you can see if these items can be introduced or perhaps after living without them for a period you will feel it’s time to let them go.

Step 2 – Plan your Space

Examine your existing furniture. The basics of good interior design are achieving space, flow and function.

To help determine if your furniture will work in the new space, you can sketch up a floor plan.

  • Start by measuring up the rooms of the new place and recording the dimensions.
  • Using a pencil, graph paper and a scale ruler, you can draw the up rooms to scale.
  • Then measure your exiting items of furniture. Draw these on graph paper to as boxes and cut them out, you can then overlay them onto your floor plan and move them about to see if they will fit and how best to place them.
  • Another option is to measure your furniture and then using masking tape, tape around the areas on the floor of where you envision the furniture to go to see if they will fit.
  • Determine if the size of the furniture work well in with the proportions of the new home and will it fit through the doorways? Remember: less is more! Consider replacing any larger items of furniture that may be too bulky or over-sized such as sofas, coffee tables or side tables.

Step 3 – Address Your Needs and Your Family’s Needs

Whether you are living by yourself or with a family, consider how your needs may have changed and how you will use the spaces in the new house.

For example, perhaps you no longer require the ample modular corner sofa and a 2-seater sofa may now better address your needs or vice versa. Similarly, perhaps your rectangular 8 seater dining table needs to become a round 4 seater to suit the space and your needs.

Step 4 – Consider Style and Aesthetics

step three address your needs imagesDoes your current furniture and homewares work with the style, interior finishes and colours in the new home?

  • Do your existing furnishings reflect your personality and current tastes?
  • Look closely at the condition of your existing pieces, are they still as good a new of have they become worn and tatty, if budget permits, it’s best to replace old items.
  • Be mindful that not every item of furniture you like will necessarily be suitable for your new home.

Step 5 – Introduce Items with Impact

Once you have completed steps 1 – 4 you will have a much better idea of what your new home needs.

Perhaps a new hero piece such as a sofa, cushions or artwork might be all that’s needed to create visual impact and tie back in with your other existing pieces. Introduce elements that help to create a cohesive style but also consider function, durability and necessity.

Remember, this is a fun and exciting time and once you have moved in to your new abode (and experienced the space), it will become easier to determine what else your interior needs. In the interim, follow these five simple steps to be prepared and ready to enjoy your new home and the new lifestyle you will create for yourself. Happy moving!

About the Author

This post was brought to you by Houseofhome.com.au—an Australian website for finding, buying and selling furniture, homewares, building and renovating products. With thousands of products from hundreds of retailers across Australia, HouseofHome.com.au offers inspiration and convenience for people looking to find furniture and homewares.