Helpful Tips & Guides:

CREATE A PLAN FOR EACH ROOM

• Create a list of everything the room needs
• Now divide the list into two categories: Priority & Non-Priority
• Using a bedroom as an example, Priority items include: bed, mattress, bedding, dresser, end table, window covering
• Using a bedroom as an example, Non-Priority items include: lamps, decorative area rugs, decorative pillow, accent pieces, wall art
• Having a list of what is needed in each room and breaking it down to Priority and Non-Priority items will help the process and budget of furnishing your first home
• Check off your list as you add new furniture or accent pieces

BUDGET

• Set a budget for furnishings
• It’s important to budget and plan to add furniture pieces along the way
• There is no rule that your house has to be fully furnished with the first two months of moving in
• Remember that furniture extends to the back yard as well so plan wisely

PICK A ROOM

• Pick the rooms that you will use on a daily basis to furnish
• Be patient don’t rush yourself to buying everything all at once so that you can be completely satisfied with the overall outcome

CHECK WITH SONOMA HOMES

• You must ensure with Sonoma Homes that you may proceed with any type of landscaping. There are city guidelines and approvals to obtain by Sonoma Homes prior to any homeowner in your new community to proceed with any alterations to their exterior
• Once you have the go ahead from Sonoma Homes, you may proceed with your landscaping plans

MAKE IT FUN

• The desk is the main focus in an office and where you will be most productive so why not choose a desk that is not so bulky. Keep it clean lined and simple.

MAKE IT WARM

• Incorporate pieces of inspirational art to give your home office its own personality

CHOOSE GREEN

• Add some greenery to brighten up the atmosphere. Choose an artificial tree or plant or go with the real ones.

KEEP IT ORGANIZED

• Consider using an armoire or another interesting furniture piece that you may already have to keep files and other paperwork organized.

LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN

• Choose a room with a large, beautiful window to inspire your workday

KEEP IT SIMPLE

• Your home does not have to be fully decorated to have a great house warming party to celebrate your new home with family and friends
• Prepare a few make ahead trays of finger foods such as a charcuterie board, veggie with dip, sandwiches and fruit platters

PROVIDE DIRECTION

• Provide your guests with detailed directions.
• Often times, newly construction home communities may not yet be recognized by the GPS.

UNPACK

• Do not worry if all of your boxes aren’t unpacked yet before your party. Your guests will not be expecting perfection; they just want to celebrate with you your new home.
• But before the party, you will want to have the kitchen, family room and powder room unpacked and stocked.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

• If the weather is nice outside, set up your backyard with tables, chairs and a barbeque and you have an instant party
• String some lights for a fun atmosphere

SORT FIRST

• Before you start packing it all up, sort through your belongings and donate or sell anything that is no longer of use to you

KEEP PACKING ESSENTIALS NEARBY

• Collect boxes and old newspapers for packing well in advanced
• Be sure to keep packing tape, markers, labels and scissors in the same convenient place all the time for easy accessibility
• Keep a labelled folder or labelled box handy ready to store important papers, phone numbers and confirmation documents that may be essential to your moving day

KEEP THE KIDS HAPPY

• Designate a box specifically with important items for the kids such as toys, games, snacks, books, a blanket and a change of clothes. Having access to familiar items will keep them occupied and happy while you try and unpack and direct movers.

PACK AN EMERGENCY BOX

• Pack a box marked as “First Aid” in case such things as band aids, disinfecting alcohol, medicine, allergy medicine, are needed.

KEEP VALUABLES SAFE

• Keep valuable possessions such as jewellery, family heirlooms, insurance papers, etc. either on you or in a safe place.

Keep them safe first

• Your pet is most likely very nervous and stressed about the move and it is a huge step for them, so you want to make sure that the move is as seamless as possible for them
• If you have a dog, make sure that you use a leash safely secured to the house to prevent your dog from running away when they are put outside
• On moving day, keep the cat in a closed room to prevent your cat from running out of an open door
• Designate where the litter box will be and bring the cat to it so that he/she knows where it will always be
• Designate where their food and water bowls will be

Get to know the neighbourhood

• Take your dog on a brief walk of the neighbourhood so that he/she can feel connected to their new surroundings

Keep it familiar

• While you are unpacking, keep familiar things near your pets such as toys and beds in common areas of the home where they can still be near the family
• Find a cozy corner spot near a window so that your pet can familiarize itself with the neighbourhood views and sounds

4 TO 6 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVING DATE

• Schedule your mail to be forwarded to your new address

2 TO 3 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVING DATE

• Collect moving boxes and moving supplies
• Dispose of household chemicals properly (such as paint, etc.). Take these to the Toxic Waste Disposal Centre
• Complete important change of address forms (such as Driver’s License, Health Card, Doctors, Bank Institutes, etc.)
• Arrange transfer of insurances, utilities and other services

8 TO 14 DAYS BEFORE YOUR MOVING DATE

• Arrange disconnection of utilities at your current home before the move date
• Make copies of all important documents

2 TO 7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR MOVING DATE

• Pack a suitcase of clothes and toiletries that you will need for your first night in your new home

THE DAY BEFORE YOUR MOVING DATE

• Empty fridge and freezer
• Keep paperwork accessible
• Remove bedding and dismantle beds
• Collect all keys and keep them in a safe place

MOVING DAY! AND AFTER THE MOVE DATE

• Arrange the furniture placement
• Keep paperwork accessible
• Remove bedding and dismantle beds
• Collect all keys and keep them in a safe place

SOME TIPS FOR EFFICIENT UNPACKING

• Have an unpacking plan in place. Get the essentials unpacked first (for example essential kitchen items, bathroom toiletries, etc.). Non-essential items can be unpacked on another day.
• Connect major kitchen appliances and small kitchen appliances
• Plan each room before unpacking too many boxes
• Let each family member unpack their own bedroom
• Try to take some time to enjoy your new home once you have unpacked the essential items. In the next few weeks, set some time every day or on the weekend to continue to gradually unpack the rest of your personal items.
• If possible, plan ahead of time what the furniture placement will be
• Take a home inventory list as you unpack items

• Gather all of the frames that you want to use
• Measure the space on your wall that you want to use
• Use an open space on the floor of the same dimensions
• Organize and play around with the arrangement of the picture frames on the floor
• Take a picture of your configuration
• Re-configure and re-create the layout until you are completely satisfied with the look
• Start hanging the pictures on the wall
• Enjoy!

• Fresh flowers can be a delightful focal point in the kitchen or the front entry
• Freshening up your home can be as simple as decluttering, organizing and getting rid of non-essential items
• Display things you already own in a new way can make a room look different
• Re-arrange furniture in a fresh, new way

TRY TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE LOOK LIVED IN

• Put a temporary stop on your newspaper and mail or ask a trusted neighbour or family member to collect them for you
• Park your vehicles inside the garage
• Ask a neighbour to park in your driveway occasionally to make it appear that there is activity at your house
• Put at least one light on a timer
• Install a motion-activated sensor on an outdoor flood light
• Make sure your lawn stays trimmed

Take necessary plumbing and electrical precautions

• Be sure to unplug small appliances and electronic devices
• Turn the main water valve on the “off” mode (located in your basement) and keep your kitchen faucet open to drain the water line out
• Turn your Principal Fan on when travelling to keep the air flow continuous

Additional tips to consider

• Notify your credit card company, banking institute and home security company that you will be out of town
• Make sure that your smoke detectors are working properly
• Leave your emergency contact information with a neighbour
• Dispose of any food that will go bad while you are away
• Remove all trash before leaving for vacation

Recycle and compost

• Recycle and compost everything that you can and do it everywhere that you go. Recycling and composting help save energy, water, oil and many other resources. Encourage others to recycle as well.

Turn off the lights

• Turn off lights when leaving a room, unplug unused small appliances and turn off the television when no one is watching it. Be sure to make a conscious effort to turn everything off when it is not being used. Not only is it good for the environment but it will also save you money on your monthly bills.

Carry Reusable Grocery Bags

• Carry reusable shopping bags to reduce the amount of plastic bags used

Use a reusable water bottle and avoid plastic utensils

• Billions of plastic end up in our oceans and lakes every year negatively affecting our ocean wildlife. Reusable water bottles are a convenient and environmentally conscientious and friendly solution.

Make an effort to carpool

• Whenever possible make an effort to carpool. This will help cut the amount of greenhouse gases and pollution released into the air.