Moving into a new home? Your guide to the first 48 hours
Moving day has finally arrived. The boxes are packed, the keys are in your hand and after weeks (or months) of planning, you’re finally standing inside your new home.
It’s an exciting moment, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. Where do you start when there are boxes everywhere and a whole new home to get used to?
Whether you’re moving into your first home, upsizing for a growing family or making the move to a brand-new Allison home, these simple tips will help you make the most of your first 48 hours.
Before you start unpacking, take a moment
It sounds obvious, but before the boxes start coming through the door, take a moment to enjoy it.
Moving into a new home is a big milestone, so take a photo, have a look around and enjoy that first feeling of “we actually live here”. You don’t need to have everything unpacked by bedtime. The aim of the first day is simply to get comfortable and make your new home feel like yours.
Keep your essentials close by
One of the best moving day tips is to pack an essentials box separately from everything else.
Think about what you’ll need during your first few hours and your first night, including:
Toilet roll and toiletries, phone chargers, kettle, mugs and tea or coffee, snacks and drinks, basic cleaning supplies, bin bags, medication and other daily essentials, a change of clothes, towels and bedding.
You’ll thank yourself later when you don’t have to search through countless identical boxes to find your toothbrush.
Check the important things first
Before you get too settled, take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with your new home.
Make sure you know where the stopcock, fuse box and utility meters are, and check that you understand how the heating and appliances work. If you’re moving into a new-build home, you’ll also have information provided as part of your handover. Keep your documents, manuals, and useful contact details somewhere easy to find. This isn’t the exciting part of moving day, but knowing where everything is could save you a lot of head-scratching later.
Get your bedroom and bathroom ready
You might be tempted to start unpacking the kitchen or tackling the boxes piled up in the living room, but after a long day of moving, your bedroom and bathroom should be top of the list.
Getting these two rooms ready first means you can properly switch off when the day is done, rather than spending your evening searching through boxes for the things you need. Start by making the bed, unpacking some clothes, and setting aside anything you’ll need the following morning.
Then get your bathroom ready with your toiletries, towels, and toilet roll, so everything is within easy reach when you need it. If you’ve spent the day carrying boxes and furniture, there’s a good chance a hot shower or relaxing bath will be one of the best parts of your first evening in your new home. Once you’ve got somewhere comfortable to sleep and everything you need to freshen up, you can call it a day. The kitchen, living room and all those other boxes will still be there tomorrow!
Don’t forget to eat!
After a full day of moving, cooking a three-course meal probably isn’t going to be high on your list.
Instead, make your first meal in your new home easy. Why not try a local takeaway, visit a nearby café or restaurant, or simply order something familiar while you sit among the boxes? It’s also a great excuse to start discovering your new neighbourhood.
Meet the neighbours and the neighbourhood
Moving into a new home isn’t just about getting used to a new building; it’s about becoming part of a new community.
So, once you’ve got the essentials unpacked, take some time to say hello to your new neighbours. You don’t need to organise a street party on your first day, but a friendly introduction can be a great way to start settling in. Your neighbours can also be a useful source of local knowledge, from bin collection days and the best places to eat, to where to find your nearest supermarket or a good cup of coffee. You might even make a new friend along the way.
Once you’ve introduced yourself, why not head out and explore your new surroundings? Take a walk around the neighbourhood, find your nearest shops and supermarket, discover the local park or try that café you’ve been meaning to visit. Getting to know what’s on your doorstep will help your new surroundings start to feel familiar and, before long, you’ll feel much more at home.
Give yourself permission not to unpack everything
This might be the most important tip of all.
You don’t have to unpack every box on Moving Day. Start with the essentials and the rooms you use most, then tackle the rest over the following days and weeks. Your new home doesn’t need to look finished immediately. In fact, there’s something quite nice about watching it gradually become your own. Once the essentials are sorted, stop. Put your feet up. Order some food. Make a cup of tea. Pour yourself a drink. Sit on the sofa, even if the sofa is currently surrounded by boxes.
Make sure you take a photo of your first evening, because one day you’ll probably look back at it and remember exactly how exciting it felt to start this new chapter.
What should you do in the first week after moving?
Once the excitement of Moving Day has settled down, there are a few practical jobs to tick off your list. You may want to:
- Update your address with your employer, kid’s school, insurance providers and other must-have services
- Make sure your utilities and broadband are set up
- Find out your bin collection days
- Register for local services like GP and Dentists
- Find your nearest supermarket, pharmacy and other useful amenities
- Finish unpacking the essentials
- Start making your new home feel like yours
And remember, there’s no deadline for getting everything perfect. Settling into a new home takes time.
Your new home, your new chapter
Moving into a new home is about much more than unpacking boxes. It’s the beginning of a new routine, new memories and, quite possibly, a new chapter of your life.
So don’t worry if your first 48 hours are a little chaotic. Enjoy the takeaway, meet the neighbours, explore your new surroundings and take the time to appreciate how far you’ve come. The boxes can wait.
Start your search today and find your ideal new home at an Allison Homes development [near you]
Moving Day FAQs
What should I do first when I move into a new home?
Start by making sure you have your essential items easily accessible, then familiarise yourself with important features such as your heating controls, fuse box, stopcock, and utility meters. After that, prioritise making your bedroom and bathroom comfortable for your first night.
What should I unpack first when moving house?
Start with the essentials you’ll need immediately, such as toiletries, towels, bedding, medication, chargers, and basic kitchen items. Your bedroom and bathroom are usually good rooms to prioritise before tackling less essential boxes.
What should I do on my first night in a new home?
Keep things simple. Get your bed ready, have some food, unpack your essentials, and take some time to enjoy your new surroundings. You don’t need to have the whole house unpacked on the first night.
What should I check when moving into a new-build home?
Make sure you know how the heating and appliances work and where important features such as the utility meters, fuse box and stopcock are located. Keep your handover information, manuals, and useful contact details somewhere accessible.
Allison Homes Web Article: 18th August 2026
