How to Furnish Your Home for the First Time
Owning your own home is an exciting milestone for many people, but it also comes with a lot more responsibility than renting. For one thing, you won’t have a landlord or property owner to help you when something goes wrong. You’ll also be responsible for fully furnishing your space, which can be a new experience for some. It can be tricky to know where to start or what areas are worth splurging on. Quality professional help will be essential, but it’s a good idea to get a head start by doing some research on your own. If you’re a new homeowner or are considering purchasing a house soon, read on to learn some more about how to furnish your home for the first time.
What do you need to furnish your home?
The first thing to focus on is handling your necessities; then, you can move on to design and décor. Basic furniture, like a bed and a kitchen table, is a good place to start if you don’t already have your own. It can actually be better to wait on furnishing the rest of the house. Once you have the essentials in place, you can figure out how much space you have left and what items would fit the best in that space.
Make sure you have everything you need in high traffic rooms as well, like the bathroom and your bedrooms. Towel racks, bedding, and a dresser should probably be near the top of your list too. If you have hardwood floors, you may want to consider buying an area rug for larger spaces, which can reduce your risk of scratching them up as soon as you move in.
When you’re ready to begin decorating and making improvements, it’s smart to focus on the rooms you use the most frequently first. This usually means starting with your kitchen. With kitchen improvements, it’s best to have a budget and make more targeted upgrades rather than renovating your entire kitchen as soon as you move in. Simple additions like granite countertops or new kitchen cabinets can make a big difference in the look and feel of the room. You can also opt for a different countertop material instead of granite, like marble or quartz, but it’s a good idea to use something durable for your countertops.
What home maintenance should you prioritize?
One of the biggest adjustments for new homeowners is being responsible for their own maintenance and repairs. When you’re renting, your landlord will typically handle those issues for you. However, you’ll need to be proactive about keeping your home and appliances well maintained, especially if you want to avoid a costly breakdown.
Your HVAC is one of the most important systems in your home, and taking care of it properly will be essential if you want to be comfortable indoors. If the system is older, you may need to have a technician inspect it and schedule air duct cleaning. Your HVAC’s filter should be changed every 90 days, and the air duct needs to be cleaned every three to five years. If you notice the system isn’t functioning properly and it’s over 10 years old, you may need to consider replacing the system entirely.
There are a lot of things that go into furnishing a home and keeping it well-maintained. It can seem overwhelming to become a homeowner, but the rewards are well worth the extra work. Make sure you find quality contractors and home design experts who can help you out with some of the more challenging parts of the process. It will help reduce your stress and take some tasks that you aren’t capable of handling off your plate. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to furnishing your home, taking the time to make a plan and work through your priorities in order can make everything go a little smoother.
