Don't Make These 6 Mistakes When You Move Into Your First Place, Pros Warn (2024)

Moving into your first home is an exciting milestone but also requires a lot of careful planning, to say the least. As you look ahead to your new space, be sure to avoid these six common design—and cleaning-related mistakes that experts commonly encounter.

Rushing to Fill Your Home With Furniture

Interior designers understand the temptation that comes with moving into a first home or apartment and wanting it to appear complete right away, but fight the urge against immediately placing a bulk furniture order.

Corinne Back, the founder of Corinne Victoria Design, recommends giving your family some time to get situated in the house first.

"As you gather what's working and what's not, you will then make more informed decisions, which, therefore, will help avoid expensive mistakes," Back says.

Emily Vaughn, the founder of Emily Vaughn Interiors, agrees that one shouldn't feel pressured to fill their home overnight.

"Social media can create the illusion that a home should be fully decorated within a month or two of moving in, but good design takes time," she says.

Additionally, do not let trends overtake you. Vaugh suggests taking the time to find and define your personal style so you can select pieces that reflect your unique taste.

"This way, your home won’t look time-stamped in a few years and will feel true to you," Vaugh says.

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Buying Items Because They're a Good Deal

On a related note, do not feel compelled to purchase furniture just because it's a good deal. Julia Rose Schweyer, founder of Julia Rose Interiors, explains how people often waste money spending it on discounted items they don't completely love.

"Instead, have an idea of the size, scale, and style you require to execute your dream space and wait to buy something that matches your requirements–that's when you get the best deal all around," Schweyer says.

Assuming Your Former Furniture Will Fit Perfectly

Even if you have every intention of repurposing as much furniture from your prior home as possible, do not assume that each piece will fit seamlessly into your new space.

"Moving into your first place can mean moving from a smaller space to a larger one," Schweyer says. "Having appropriately sized furniture for your layout is essential to nailing the design, and trying to fit a square peg in a round hole never works."

Instead, measure your rooms before moving into your new home. Failing to do so and trying (and failing) to make furniture pieces work will often prompt people to look into renovations down the line, SethBallard, the co-founderofBallard& Mensua Architecture, says.

Painting the Walls Right Away

Even if you know that your new home's walls need a refresh, do not rush into painting them, Jeanne Barber, the founder of Camden Grace Interiors, advises.

"So often people pigeon-hole their aesthetic by committing to a paint color too early," she says. "Move in, be patient, and once you're done making decor selections, paint comes last.The wait will be worth it."

Not Doing a Deep Clean Before Moving In

While your home is still empty of furniture and boxes, give it a good clean, Vanessa Terra Bossart, the owner of Green Terra Cleaning, suggests.

Although it's easy to assume previous occupants or the landlord may have cleaned the space, it may not always be the case.

"Dust, allergens, and even hidden mold can linger, especially in areas like vents, under appliances, or behind furniture," Bossart warns.

This means tackling kitchen cabinets and appliances as well, Bossart adds. Bossart recommends running a cleaning cycle in the dishwasher and wiping down the refrigerator shelves, which will help with maintaining overall cleanliness and hygiene.

Overbuying Cleaning Products

When moving into a new house, you'll want to stock up on all of the essentials—cleaning products, kitchen staples, and more. However, you actually don't need to buy as many cleaning items as you might think, Steve Evans, the owner of Memphis Maids, notes.

"Just buy multi-purpose cleaning products, preferably concentrated," he says. "This way, you can dilute them as much or as little as you want/need."

There isn't a need to buy more than three to five products in total for your home, Evans shares.