How to Set Up a New Rental Apartment

Written by Posted On Sunday, 14 February 2021 13:32
How to Set Up a New Rental Apartment Pixabay, CC0 License

Moving into a new place can be exciting and overwhelming, whether you are a first-time renter or a more experienced one. 

There are lots of things to take care of, including small details which could easily be forgotten. Not only do you need to make the new apartment livable, but you also have to get your belongings into their rightful places and make the place reflect your style. 

If done without proper planning, moving into a new rental apartment and setting it up to feel like a home can take more time than it should. 

The following points can serve as a guide you can use to set up your new rental apartment in no time. 

Do a Thorough Walkthrough

Before you begin to unpack boxes:

  1. Walkthrough the apartment with a critical eye and take in every detail.
  2. Look at every nook and cranny to detect anything that might need replacement or repairs.
  3. Write down your findings and if possible, take detailed photos. 

An inspection allows you to visualize how each room in the apartment can be set up potentially; you can have a rough idea of how your furniture, appliances and other belongings can be arranged to maximize the space and suit your taste. 

Deep Clean the Apartment

Even if the rental looks and smells clean, it is advisable to do a thorough cleaning before you start unpacking. 

The carpets, floors, walls and appliances have most likely trapped a lot of dirt from the previous occupants. 

The dirt should be cleared out to provide a clean and fresh canvas for you. Get cleaning supplies and work from room to room, making sure to concentrate your efforts on carpets and rugs. Another option is to hire a professional cleaning service to carry out deep cleaning. 

Create a To-Do List

Getting a new apartment from the blank and empty space to a place you can call home involves many tasks that can quickly become overwhelming. 

Therefore, creating a to-do list enables you to form a game plan for tackling the tasks while ensuring that you do not forget anything. 

Include everything you need to do on the list, from ensuring that utilities are turned on to setting up your shower rack. 

When you complete each task, check it off and update the list if you have new things to add. 

Change or Replace Essential Items

As a rule, some home equipment and appliances require changes or replacements to ensure optimal operation. 

Make sure the heating and cooling units are properly maintained, including your washing machines, smoke detectors, refrigerator and other appliances. 

It is advisable to change the filters of the air conditioning unit and furnace to prevent the build-up and spread of dust, mould and bacteria in your apartment. Take note of the filter dimensions to enable you to get the correct sizes for your units. 

Tackle One Room at A Time

Although it might be tempting to rip all the moving boxes open at once and arrange things haphazardly, it is usually better to limit set up to one room at a time. 

Seeing as getting all your possessions to their rightful places is more than a day's job, you need to be systematic with unpacking, lest you end up with several unfinished rooms. 

An ideal place to start is your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen as you would surely need food and sleep once you are done with the day's work. 

You can then begin to work your way through other rooms, ensuring you finish setting up one room before moving onto the next. 

Decorate the Space

A home is usually a reflection of the owner's taste, style and personality; hence, it is important to make your apartment look and feel comfortable for you. 

Apply a fresh coat of paint on the walls to give a room a new look. You can also use wallpaper and wall decals which are easy to install. 

Place picture frames or art pieces on the walls and hang your bookshelves. Arrange your books and decorative pieces on the shelves and set up your centre or coffee table. 

Arrange Furniture and Appliances

If your new apartment is not already furnished, you would need to set up your furniture and appliances. 

Bring in your beds, chairs, sofas and lounges and arrange them to complement your decor. If purchasing new furniture, take adequate room measurements, including the doorway to get appropriate options. 

Hang up curtains and drapes, plug in your lamps and lay your carpets and rugs. Connect your television and sound system and other appliances that you might need. 

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David Trounce

David is a freelance writer and publisher living in New South Wales, Australia. David writes on a wide range of topics affecting the property, e-commerce and real estate investment market.

realestate.com.au/

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