6 Do’s and Don’ts of Setting Up Your First Home

H M

A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!When my husband and I first got married, we didn’t yet have the opportunity to live on our own.  Instead, we lived with my parent inlaws for the first four years of our marriage.  Last year, when we moved to Delaware, we had to set up our very own living space.  I learned a lot during this time, made a lot of mistakes and made some decisions I’m still proud of.   So, I wanted to share some of the most important do’s and don’ts of setting up your first home, based on my experience.

 

Don’t Rush:

It’s exciting to get your own place, and there’s an overwhelming urge to get the ball rolling on decking out your new home.  But, styling your living space shouldn’t take a matter of days.  It’s essential to take your time, browse your favorite stores and find eclectic pieces that are either the perfect fit or the perfect price.  The same store can carry various styles depending on the season and trends so it’s worth it to hold out for only the best!  Another benefit of waiting is that your living space develops slowly and maturely, which gives you time to assess what you really need and what would really compliment your home further.

A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!
Look at these beautiful flea market finds and how they could be paired to brighten up any room. (Featured on HGTV).

 

DO invest in organization:

Is there anything more gratifying than labelling a perfectly stocked shelf? Or fitting a container ever so perfectly into a just right slot?  Ok I might be exaggerating but organization really does have such a calming effect.  When you’re setting up a new place, it will make your life so much easier to organize all of your essentials.  Not only will it save you time and energy in our day-to-day life, but you’re home will look tidier as well.

A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!
This is hardly an investment, but I love the way I’ve been able to organize my household cleaners with this over the door shoe holder. I hang this over my laundry room door, it saves shelf space, and keeps these dangerous cleaners up and away from little toddler hands.
A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!
I had seen this idea floating around pinterest, but I didn’t realize how useful it really was until I tried it out myself. Ikea’s pot lid holder is extendable so it can hold a variety of pot and pan sizes. No searching for lids or pots for me :).

 

DO invest in mutli-functional pieces:

This point is especially crucial if you’re living in a small space.  Pieces that are multi-functional will reduce your need to accumulate large amounts of items, and thereby reduce your storage needs.

A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!
What I loved about this shoe bench besides the extra storage and seating, is that when we move to a place that may have limited front entrance space, we will convert it to a reading and storage bench in my daughter’s room. All of the inserts and dividers you see are removable or can be rearranged to fit a variety of items, not just shoes.
A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!
An ottoman is a great accent to have in any home, but it’s so much better when you can use it as storage for extra linens or decorative pillows.

 

DON’T Over-visualize/plan

Who hasn’t imagined how they would design their ideal living space?  As natural as it is to plan what you want your space to look like, it’s important not to be overly stringent in your visualization.  I learned this the hard way.  I passed on many beautiful and unique pieces because I was reluctant to visualize it in my planned space.  What I didn’t realize is that, not everything has to fit into the perfect nook, or match perfectly with the drapes.  If you encounter a piece that is appealing and useful to you, chances are you’ll find a way to make it fit in with your space.  The key is make sure you’re going for unique pieces that you actually need/will use.

A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!
These aren’t the perfect match, but they add a certain vibrancy you wouldn’t otherwise get. (Seen on Popsugar)

 

DO create stories/traditions

This adds such an incredible depth and warmth to any home.  Create an accent piece together as a family, and feature it somewhere in your living space.  Go with low-budget art pieces that feature components of your family life or shots of your travels.  Set up an area for family prayers or story time.  There are plenty of opportunities to create memories in your home.

A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!
This chalkboard sign was under $5.00 at Walmart. If you’re more creative than I am you can come up with something great!
A list of 6 essential do's and don'ts when setting up your first home. You need to see this list of tips!
My daughter and I painted this vase, and she still treats it with such care and caution (and that’s saying a lot for a 2 year old)!

 

DON’T forget about longterm upkeep

Try to invest in items that will last a long time!  Sometimes this involves reading the fine print to make sure your items wont rust or change color (I learned this only after all of my handsoap bottle spouts began changing color!).  Read reviews about products you’re interested in and determine whether previous customers complain about early wear and tear.

Which one of these do’s or don’ts resonates most with you?

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