Couple with paint swatches in new home smiling

Moving Into Your New Home: Should You Unpack or Paint First?

Moving into a new home is exciting. Whether you’ve rented or purchased a home, you’re likely excited to make your new space represent your personal style. Painting the walls of your new home is a great way to create the look you want. Still, it can be tough to decide whether it makes more sense for you to paint before or after you start unpacking your moving boxes. So, here, we’ll take a look at some questions to consider when deciding whether you should unpack your belongings or bust out the paintbrushes and dropcloths first. 

Are you moving large, awkward furniture into your new home?

If most of your furniture has been disassembled and you plan to reassemble it in your new home, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to worry about bumping into walls as you move your belongings. However, if you’re moving large sectionals, tables with legs attached, and other furniture that can be awkward to maneuver, you may want to think about waiting to paint until you have all of your belongings in place. The last thing that you want is to scratch or chip your freshly painted walls as you move large furniture into your new space. 

Are you painting on your own or hiring a painting company?

If you’re working with a painting company, your quote might be lower you plan to let them paint the house before you move in. This is because painters can take fewer precautions when covering and moving furniture, allowing them to spend fewer total hours on the job. If you’re painting on your own, the cost difference will be less significant. However, you’ll still want to consider the money you’ll need to spend on dropcloths and other protective materials if you’re painting around your belongings. 

Have you already decided on a color palette?

You might already have an exact look in mind that you want for your new home. If you know exactly what you’d like and what will be a good fit for your furniture and other belongings, you may want to paint before you move in. However, if you’re not sure what color will be a good fit, or if you’re buying new furniture or decor, it may make sense to wait and see how your belongings look in your new space before you decide what colors will complement your new home. 

Are you moving within driving distance of your old home?

If you’re moving to a home within a few miles of your current home, it may be easier to begin the painting process before you officially move in. This can be especially helpful if you’re moving with little ones. Painting while they’re in school or with a relative can help keep curious little fingers off of freshly painted walls, and ample overnight drying time can ensure that your new home is move-in ready.

Ready to move? We’re here. 

You don’t have to figure out the ins and outs of your move on your own — we’re here to help with all of your moving needs. So reach out to us today for a quote on how we can help you make your move as low-stress as possible.