5 Home Improvement Projects You Should Always Do Before Moving Into a New Place
These tasks deserve a top spot on your to-do list.
Once you find a home, make a down payment, and hire an inspector to check out all the nooks and crannies, the fun part begins, right? After all, what’s left to do than pick some trendy decor and nail a functional-yet-inviting flow? Turns out, a lot.
Owning property is a perpetual home improvement project—there’s always something new that manages to come up—but there are some tasks that are better done upfront. “If something is a known priority when you purchase a home, make a savings plan and give yourself a target of when you will actually do it,” suggests Mary Miksch, design director of Neil Kelly, remodeling company in the Pacific Northwest. That way, you have a beautiful blank canvas for your furniture and cool styling tricks.
If you want to reassess your to do-list, you’ve come to the right place. A few pros share what you should always, always do before moving in. You know, before all the fun begins.
Safety First
A stylish home is also a safe one, so it’s important to squash anything that might be potentially hazardous. “A common example that comes up in inspections might be missing a handrail on a stair,” Miksch says. “You could easily put that off, but the best time to take care of it is right away before you find out why you really needed it!”
Of course, don’t just limit the touch-ups to your stairwell: An uneven pathway, sharp edges, and broken glass should be address, stat.
Prioritize Plumbing
While all mechanical and electrical systems are important to upkeep, but Miksch says to never discount plumbing. “Any small leaks or missing caulking should be dealt with right away before they become a bigger issue,” she says. Elmer Mayorga, a home repair professional in Southern California, agrees: Not only can pristine plumbing give you peace of mind, but he also says it’ll “make remodeling anything in the future easier.”
“No major leaks or extra cost or time spent on fixing a problem before starting a new project,” Mayorga explains. “You risk literally pouring money down the drain if you ignore any potential plumbing issues.”
A Painted Backdrop
Never underestimate a fresh coat of paint, which Mayorga says is the “cheapest and most attractive” thing to do in your space. “It can change the look of a home and give it a new elegance that may not have been there before,” he says. “The right colors can give an illusion of an expensive home without it actually costing you too much.”
Of course, putting paint high on your to-do list has some practical perks. “It’s much easier to paint an empty house,” Miksch. “Then you only have to decorate once.”
Fresh Floors
The same logic applies underfoot, Miksch says. “Refinishing the hardwood flooring is probably the number one thing to do before moving in,” she explains. “Nobody wants to move all the furniture out later to have it done, and the durability of the floor depends on it being properly finished.”
If you want to redo your floors, you can always go with the grain that exists in your place. However, for those who want to think beyond the simple spruce-up, check out the clever ways designers choose a wood tone.
RELATED: Designers Say These Kitchen Flooring Ideas Are Having a Major Moment
High-Trafficked Places
Once you get the basics out of the way, personalize your pad. “Prioritize those cosmetic improvements that will bring you joy,” Miksch recommends. “Even the smallest refresh of a room can make it feel personal and like you made it your own.”
Not sure where to start? Consider a high-trafficked area such as a kitchen. “It’s what people look at most when purchasing a new home,” Mayorga says. “A functional kitchen is a necessity; why not move in with the kitchen ready to go?”
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
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