I recently relocated my home and office a few towns over. The process of packing/unpacking, organizing, moving, and renovating has certainly forced me to practice what I preach to my clients! It’s reinforced many of my core values about customizing design around individual taste and function, while balancing some tried and true principles, practicality and an eye for resale.
So, before you move to a new home or office, let’s review the basics.
Start with what you love
Before you begin wrapping up and labeling breakables and setting aside valuables, walk around your current home. Reflect on what gives you a smile, a sentimental boost, a sense of calm or helps truly define your taste. Then ask yourself:
- Can I imagine my new home without these items? Take the “must haves” with you and we’ll incorporate them into your new spaces.
- Am I attached but I feel like it’s time to start fresh and style anew? Don’t let guilt or “what if” hold you back. Sell, donate or gift your item to be loved by someone else.
- Do I have cool items that are underutilized or hidden among my current décor? Whether decorative or functional, let’s think about giving them new life in your new home!
Tackle a little organizing every day
Even the most minimalist of us have lots of “stuff” that can be daunting to organize and move. (In my assessment you truly only regularly use 20 percent of what you have.) My approach is to start early, break up the home into manageable chunks and begin with the rooms and items you use least frequently. Throughout the process always have boxes handy for donations and or items to sell. Be tough and objective. Less is more. Honestly!
My first-in-moving-boxes focus has generally been:
- Dining room – formal dinnerware, flatware, glasses, serving pieces, etc.
- Living room/library/den – fragile decorative items/tchotchkes, objets d’art, books
- Bar – glassware, infrequently used alcohol, shakers and trays
- Kitchen – serving platters, obscure (but occasionally needed) small appliances, extra sets of dishes
- Unused bathrooms and guest rooms including linens and towels
- Closets – out-of-season coats, shoes and boots, sweaters, sports equipment, holiday décor, etc.
In my experience, if you’re doing it all yourself, remember the 80/20 rule. The first 80 percent of your possessions, only uses up 20 percent of your decision-making power and packing energy because it’s very clear what needs to be done. It’s the final 20 percent that can be disproportionately stressful — it’s more time sensitive, it’s composed of smaller uncategorized items, it’s things you need to use up until the last minute. So, the more you can clear out early, the more space you’ll have to work with in those final, inevitably chaotic days.
On another note, painter’s tape and Sharpies can be your best friends. Be clear about what is in your boxes and their destination. Same is true for furniture, lamps, and rugs.
Prioritize your new home’s projects
If your new living spaces are in 100 percent move-in condition, congratulations! If not, embarking on what needs to be done to make it YOUR home is a matter of budget, timing and lifestyle. Only you know what you can live with and what you can afford in the short- and longer-terms.
Some thoughts to get started:
- Are you a large family that’s all about eating together and your new home’s kitchen is kind of tired? Here are some options:
- Make a plan for a renovation so you can budget for the future work and also redesign with the future changes in mind.
- Consider replacing one or all of the cabinets, countertops and/or the backsplash without changing the footprint.
- Paint cabinets for a simple refresh.
- Can you tell the home was well-loved by pets and kids? Start life in your new home with a freshening.
- Paint, paint, paint to make the look and feel your own
- Refinish wood flooring
- Replace worn-out carpeting
- Do the bathrooms feel more-than-lived-in? Think about updating with some never-used bathroom furnishings and fixtures.
- Upgrade to sparkling new vanities and countertops; available at all price points and levels of customization
- Exchange the hardware for a low-budget makeover
- Install one high-end item like a towel warmer or beautiful light fixture to up the luxe factor
It’s hard work but hopefully your move, like mine, lands you in spaces that give you joy, security and optimal functionality! I’m here to help refer the best movers who can handle any items and assist you in readying your new home for an efficient and happy transition.
