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What Should I Set Up First After Moving Into a New Home?
Set up what you’ll need tonight and tomorrow morning first. Start with a place to sleep, a usable bathroom, and an open path between the rooms you’ll use. Then get the kitchen basics and any work or school setup you need for the next day. Once the main furniture is in place, decide where the TV, shelves, and window treatments should go.
What to set up in the first 48 hours
1. Make the bedroom and bathroom usable
Put bedding, towels, toilet paper, and toiletries where you can find them. If the bed frame still needs assembly, locate the hardware and instructions before opening more boxes. Set up bedroom privacy early if the windows are uncovered.
2. Set up for tomorrow morning
Unpack enough kitchen supplies for one meal and breakfast. If you’re working or studying from home, set up a chair, a surface, chargers, and an internet connection. Keep those items together so you can switch rooms if your planned workspace is still full of boxes.
3. Place the large furniture before booking installation
Put the sofa, bed, and desk where you expect to use them. Check whether doors and drawers can open and whether you can walk through comfortably. Decide on TV placement from your usual seat and note where the power and cables will need to go before choosing an installation spot.
4. Group the jobs that are ready to schedule
List the furniture that has arrived and the rooms ready for blinds, curtains, shelves, or TV mounting. Confirm what hardware you have and what still needs to be delivered. If you rent or live in a condo, check any applicable building instructions or approvals before booking work.
Example — Your sofa arrives Monday, but you work from home Friday
Set up the bed, bathroom, and a temporary workstation on Thursday. If the desk hasn’t arrived, use the kitchen table and keep chargers and work supplies in one box. Wait until the sofa is in place to pick the TV location. Once you know where you’ll sit and how you’ll route the cables, you can give the installer a clearer description of the job.
What to share when you book assembly or installation
- Room photos. Take a wide shot from the doorway and a close-up of the area where the work will happen.
- Product details. Include furniture model names, TV size and mount details, or window treatment measurements.
- Delivery status. Identify what’s on site and what’s still in transit. Ask what needs to be ready before the appointment.
Not sure what to set up first?
Bring room photos, your delivery dates, and a short list of what you need working first. We’ll help you decide what you can set up now, what needs to wait for a delivery, and which jobs you can group into one visit.
$39 · 20-minute virtual appointment · Book online 24/7 · Available nationwide — Mr. Home Guy USA
ConsultRelated move-in guides
- What should I schedule before moving out of state?
- How do I plan a move into or out of a condo or high-rise?
- What should I measure before moving furniture into my new home?
- Is it cheaper to move my furniture or sell it and buy again?
- Browse city moving and home-sale prep guides
Check out our The First 48 Hours in a New Home: What to Set Up First blog