The whole prospect of moving house and making a new home is can be extremely stressful and daunting, from finding your dream property through to choosing the colours of the kitchen. Helen Turnbull from interiors specialist www.hillarys.co.uk takes a look at how careful organisation and planning can help you survive a house move and keep your sanity intact at the same time.
Keep your expectations in check
A clean slate doesn’t need to be painted right away. Don’t expect to move in, renovate everything immediately and have made yourself at home within a week. This very rarely (read: never) happens – so don’t put that kind of pressure on yourself to start with.
There is no point in piling extra stress on you and your loved ones at what is already a time of upheaval. So, first things first, set those expectations in the real world! Allow yourself time to save up, as well as find the energy, and tackle your new house in manageable projects. If you’re struggling to keep everything bite sized, then make lists and timelines so you can clearly visualise your plan and ensure it is all feasible.
Prioritise
Nobody wants to find themselves surrounded by exquisite ornaments – but without a bed to sleep on! The clue to finishing touches is in the name. And they should remain exactly that – finishing.
It’s very easy to get carried away by dreaming and browsing. But you really must ensure you tick off all the basic necessities before you get swept up in the temptation of luxuries. After all, if the money runs out, would you rather have that gorgeous antique clock or a kettle to make a cuppa after a long day of hauling boxes around.
Set a budget
Even if you start with a really basic budget, make sure you have one – and research it well.
Try to avoid guessing how much things might cost, from the removals service through to plumbing the new en-suite or servicing the boiler. Make sure you know accurate and real figures. It doesn’t have to be to the pound, but you don’t want to find that the cost is miles away from what you were expecting. Find out in advance what kind of projects and money you are talking about – whether it’s a few pots of paint or a bigger, more structural undertaking – and get a budget in place to guide you along the way. It’s the only way to make sure things don’t spiral out of control.
Cash in favours
Friends and family members may be happy to lend a hand. From picking up new furniture to the moving day itself, you may be surprised to find how many people are happy to help out.
Those friends with big cars or a van will be worth their weight in cups of tea and biscuits and throw in a takeaway pizza at the end of the day to make sure they go home with a smile on their face.
Try popping a shout out on social media to find out if anyone has a van, spare boxes or any other handy things to help out. And failing that, at least you might manage to get some great recommendations.
Tackle one room at a time
It’s important to keep your motivation up to avoid being left with half a job and nothing left to give. Some people find that tackling one room at a time, right through to completion, helps them see the difference and enjoy the benefits of the transformation; meaning they stay enthusiastic, driven and hungry to keep going.
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep
At the risk of sounding like a lecturing parent, a good night’s sleep before a big move really is priceless. Make sure you are refreshed and well rested ahead of the moving day. It’s hard to keep stress free and level-headed as it is, let alone if you’re sleep-deprived as well.
Once in the new place, make sure setting up the bed and putting the curtains up in the bedroom is one of your first jobs, as this means when you’re ready to collapse after a long day, you can do exactly that!
So there you have it. Moving is not an easy task, but it is a manageable one and – providing you stick to these tips – it can even be exciting, fun and satisfying. Try to see creating your new home as a process, not just a day or week, and make sure that you make it a place for happy memories to be made.
