article

The Essentials Checklist for Newly Married Homeowners

By Realty Times Staff via Realty Times

bluehammer

After a beautiful wedding celebration and exotic honeymoon, you and your loved one are ready to settle in and enjoy your newly married bliss, especially in a new home. Although putting together a house can seem like an everlasting project, you can make it your home right away with the following new-home essentials.

Drapes

Create a color scheme for your home by starting with your window treatments. The interior-design theme of your home can be a long-term project, and hanging curtains is a great starting point. Colorful curtains and stylish blinds can eliminate a room's drab aura and create interior warmth, even without other complementary furnishings. Go for eye-catching, rich hues, such as emerald green, indigo blue, canary yellow, or even Pantone's color of the year, radiant orchid.

Bed Coverings

As a newlywed couple, your bedroom is your sacred sanctuary. The relaxing space should be free of electronics and full of tranquil elements and decor reflective of you both as a couple. Start with your bed and gender-neutral bed trimmings, including a duvet, bed skirt, throw pillows and linens. An accessorized bed will create aesthetic comfort as you begin to incorporate more furniture and other decor, such as wall art, a rug, flower-filled vases, and plants.

Cleaning Equipment

Cleaning a house is a monumentally more challenging and exhausting chore than cleaning an apartment. Although more space in a home is enjoyable, you've now got more ground to cover with a broom and mop. Visit Macys.com and invest in a Dyson vacuum that will help keep your floors clean and spotless. Not only will the superior-quality vacuum help give you flawless floors and carpeting, it can make cleaning a pleasant experience, rather than a dreaded household duty.

bluehammer

Toolkit

Since you're now responsible for your own home repairs and around-the-house tasks, you'll want a well-stocked supply of tools. ToolGuyd.com provides a list of safety gear and 12 basic tools that every homeowner-turned handyman should own. For unexpected repairs and home DIY projects, you'll need to start a tool collection that includes, for example, a utility knife, tape measure, a variety of screwdrivers, and adjustable and combination wrenches. Along with the Tool Guyd recommended list of tools, you'll also want to stock up on paint supplies, sandpaper, an electrical outlet tester, nuts, screws, nails, and sandpaper.

Custom Accents

For most new homeowners, splurging on fancy decor isn't within the budget. Get creative with how you personalize your home and give it character. Shop at flea markets for photo frames, vases or a vintage piece of furniture that you can refurbish with a bright paint color and fun patterns. Visit CasaSugar.com for home inspiration. Decorate a plain white vase with orange washi tape. Frame an old map to cover bare wall space. Glue metallic buttons to a lamp for glammed-out lighting. DIY decor projects can also become a new hobby and creative outlet for a happy homemaker.

Entertaining Supplies

Enjoying a new home is the most exciting when you can share it with your friends and family. Stock up on party-hosting essentials such as wine and cocktail glasses, a cocktail shaker, a serving platter, place mats, a table runner, and basic dishes and cutlery. Don't forget to create a soothing playlist for your guests to enjoy during your dinner party. Plan an upcoming housewarming party and play host and hostess by inviting guests and cooking them a delectable dinner.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Home Foundations And Why Material Matters

The typical single-family home can weigh anywhere from 80,000 to 160,000 pounds. Foundations provide a solid base for a home's weight, help to ensure the house stays level and provides a base for construction to take place. Foundations matter, and so does the material that they're made of. Here's a closer look at both, starting with materials and why they matter.

Is Your Furnace Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality?

The push to make our houses as energy-efficient as possible has, in some cases, led to unintended consequences. Because modern houses are less drafty due to tighter-fitting windows, doors and weather stripping, pollutants that were vented in the past are trapped inside. Most of the pollutants are relatively harmless, but some can be dangerous, and they all contribute to what some people call "sick house syndrome."

Renovating With Your Kids: Projects You Can Do Together

Renovating your home? Why not make it a family affair, getting the kids involved in projects that can make them feel included and proud of their work.

Things to Consider When Replacing Your Front Door

Your front door is one of the most functional, visible, and important elements in your home. If you're looking for a home improvement project that can boost curb appeal, improve security, and add style to your space, replacing your front door delivers an impressive return on investment.

7 Tricks Hotels Use That Can Make Your Home Look and Work Better

Looking to breathe some life into your house? Maybe all you need is a vacation. A hotel stay is great for a lot of reasons - as a romantic getaway, an opportunity to see the world or explore new places, a break from work or kids - but taking a good look at your surroundings can also give you great ideas for refreshing your space when you get back home.

8 Laundry Rooms That'll Make You Want To Fluff And Fold

Let's face it. Laundry is no fun. In fact, it's often counted among our most hated chores. But since running around in stinky, soiled clothes is not an option for most of us, it's gotta get done.

Inspired Ways To Create A Guest Space When You Don't Have A Guest Room

Not all of us are blessed with enough bedrooms to accommodate every member of the family plus a home office and a man cave and a theater room and a guest space. And, it's that last one that often ends up as a challenge when friends and family come to visit and you either have to break out the blow-up bed or give up your room and hunker down with the kids. You don't need to add on or buy a new home to provide a comfortable space for guests. These smart solutions will help you create a great space for guests with minimal effort.

Exterminating Pests: A Guide to Family-Friendly IPM Pest Warfare

Your home is a safe haven for your family, a harbor from the rough waters of life, an abode full of treasured memories and love. But sometimes it can become a home for uninvited guests of the six-legged variety. When this occurs, it's time to take action. Addressing and preventing pest infestations keeps your family healthy and staves off potential damages to your home. Here are the steps necessary to take before and after noticing signs of pests in your home.

Maintaining Your Hot Water Heater

Water heaters generally have a lifespan of 8-12 years, but as with anything, the better care you take of it, the longer it will last. There are several easy "set it and forget it" tips that you can use with your water heater, like keeping the thermostat at 120 degrees, and always maintain two feet of clearance around the appliance. You can also conserve money on your gas bill by setting your heater to its "vacation" setting when leaving town. This will keep the pilot light going without heating the water.

Getting your home ready for that big party

Preparing for a party can be a hectic time - you have a full slate on your to do list, including choosing the menu, preparing food, planning activities, and coordinating decor. It can be easy to overlook one of the most important elements of planning an event, making sure your home is presentable for your guests. Our guide will help you to quickly get your house party-ready so you can focus on all the other things involved in preparing for your event.

See More Articles