Moving into my 1st home - Any advice, tips or tricks?

[Snowstorming]

Hello Mumsnetters!

My DH and I have just bought our first home (we've rented for 5 years). It is a 3 bedroom home (2 box-ish rooms, 1 much larger) with 1 bathroom, garden space, a store room and enough space to create a loft. We will be moving in with our 3 kids (all under 6yo).

I suddenly feel completely anxious and my brain is blocked - I don't even know where to start! All our stuff is packed up and ready to move in but... what do I do?!

My DH and I will have the large room to share with our baby. We're thinking one room should be for our twin boys to share. The third room... the potential loft space... Any ideas that would help us to utilise each space to the maximum? It's a decent sized house but with 3 kids it still seems like we could fill it up with utter tat.

It has an open plan kitchen and lounge which we would keep simple with a sofa and tv probs. The other lounge - should it be like a guest room? What would you do? Maybe an office/study space that could also be used to entertain guests...?

I know I sound like an utter waffle but I am just so strangely confused. It's like I don't even know where to begin! Can anyone offer some house inspiration, some space-maximising tips, some suggestions for interior design? Anything?

Is it a good idea to paint walls in winter?
Is it worth doing the loft conversion for the extra space?
Should we take out the fireplaces to 'open up' the lounge?

Any ideas and suggestions would be welcome! Or any websites/services that you used and loved?

Thank you in advance!

Congratulations!

In my opinion, the third room upstairs will need to be for your baby before too long.

That means, I would make the second lounge into a study/guest room (Ikea do some good quality sofa beds. My sister slept on mine for a month and said it was very comfortable).

If you're going to take out the fireplaces, take out the chimneys too, on all floors. And yes, you will gain a fair bit of space by doing that.

With three kids, I'm sure you'll want to convert the loft, but maybe not just yet.

No problem with painting in winter.

Have fun!

I think you're going to feel anxious and unsettled until you are in. I'm like that.

My advice is to live with it for a while and see what you would like. You need to live in a space before making major alteration decisions.

In time I would probably do a loft conversion for a master bedroom and en suite if room. Then 2 boys in the large room, younger one in the next bedroom and the smallest room as an office/guest room.

Do you need a dining table? That would alter my plans for the lounge/kitchen room and then the other lounge.

Make sure you have buildings insurance
Move in and see how it works before making changes, otherwise you may make the wrong changes and regret what you do

Slow down, enjoy Xmas in your new home and think about how you are living in the space

Congratulations. It is a long time since I bought my first property which was a one bedroom flat, but I do remember feeling very anxious about it, not how to furnish it, my anxiety was about this huge commitment I had just made. It passed very quickly though.

I would earmark the third bedroom for the baby to move into in due course. As for the spare lounge area, I would make that the dining room as you haven’t mentioned that this is already one. If you do have a dining room, then yes an office, maybe a playroom if the bedrooms or small?

I wouldn’t even be thinking about loft conversions right now, probably not for quite a few years. My tips would be to take your time getting things as you want and tackle it one room at a time. I have never heard that painting in winter is an issue, although unless the colours are ones you could not live with, I would take time over that too.

your kids won't always be young just live in it for a while and see how it goes makes no changes quickly

start twins in same room if you give them a room each they won't ever be happy to go back to sharing

do either of you work from home maybe third bed as office for now?

definitely make space for a dining table there will be 5 soon so a table for 6 is the minimum you don't want to be folding a table away after every meal or eating at breakfast bar three times a day

you could do kitchen diner lounge as casual lounge with space for toys and more seating in main lounge with bigger tv or perhaps use main lounge as playroom for now and as they get older and migrate to playing in rooms or living in rooms ( teenagers) you and DP can reclaim lounge as adult lounge
or maybe it's better to have toys in main kitchen open plan with adult retreat so there is one place in house not occupied by toys ( they can use space to watch a film or play board games but not a hot wheels circuit

it is about how you live your lives not what anyone else thinks you should do, do you love being together or do you need a retreat from noise and family, do really need a guest room or is a futon enough?

Thanks for all the lovely ideas and reassurances so far! They all help ☺️

I’m sure the baby would eventually take up the 3rd room but the large bedroom has enough cot space etc so I’m not worried about that for at least 2 years. In the meantime, I’d like the twin boys to have a nice room to themselves. They have a bunk bed from Argos but it suddenly feels too big and I’m thinking maybe something else instead?

Ideally I need to think of some space-saving storage ideas. I’m not familiar with Pinterest but heard it has good inspiration for home tips.

We have dining space in the open plan kitchen/lounge so I’m thinking the other room could be a playroom with desk space for work too?

The idea of moving in and then seeing how it goes was also veryyy helpful and makes much more sense!

Does anyone have any links to space-saving furniture they’ve used and liked? Like beds, cupboards, desks, shoe storage, toy storage, etc.? I’m all ears/eyes for everything!!

Yes I think don't panic and rush to make decisions - living in the house for a while and really thinking about how you and your family use the space will help you. I know it's a bit of a PITA moving furniture around or buying new after you've already moved in but also in my experience you are absolutely skint when you have just bought what with all the fees etc., giving yourself a few months before any major projects will also let you save up a bit.

That being said I would make the priority decorating and sorting the room your boys will use - simple coat of paint or wallpaper in a colour they like plus new bedding will really help them be excited and settled in their new room.

Personally I would have the 2nd living room as a grown up sitting room with a sofa bed, I'm all for open plan family living and dining spaces but when you have little children it will basically never be clean and tidy so it's nice to have a toy/chaos free zone you can retreat too after bedtime. Although admittedly others would want to use as a playroom and keep the open -plan as adult space, whichever you prefer I guess. The loft you probably will want to convert at some point either into extra bedroom space or perhaps a teenage lair but you have a few years for that yet so if it's boarded out you can simply use as storage space.

My personal handy tip is do not freak out if you feel you hate the house when you first move in and get really badly homesick for your old house. This is totally natural and normal, particularly when it's a first purchase and you've been renting a while. I think the stress of dealing with all the finance/legal stuff, the pressure of knowing this is by far the most expensive purchase of your life plus the hassle of moving day and the fact the house is fairly perfectly clean and clear when you move in (unlike with a rental there's very little obligation on the old owners to leave it clean and tidy, we've had some right shockers of filthy/loads of crap left behind houses in the past) can lead to a bit of a meltdown/tearful wobble on day/night 1 (or is that just me? ) If this happens don't panic and immediately think you need to put the house back on the market, you've made a hideous mistake etc etc. Just take a deep breath, order a takeaway, and get the house clean and your stuff unpacked asap on the next day and it will start to feel more and more like home! It can also really really help to have your essentials kept separate from the main packing so you have them to hand as soon as you get there (things like mugs, teabags, laptop, phone charger, children's favourite toys/comfort items)!

@TeacupDrama

Thank you! That’s been super helpful actually. You’re right, it depends on our lifestyle mostly.

Tbh the most guests we’d ever have is family (once lockdown ends) as my relatives live very close. The adult retreat sounds very tempting as the kitchen/diner/lounge would probably suit the toys more with all the mess! Lol.

Also if you had a small store room in the open plan kitchen/lounge then would you use it for general storage, food/tin storage, or something else? I’m currently thinking food-related storage as the kitchen itself isn’t huge.

Also the GARDEN!
With the 3 young kids, is it worth getting fake grass or something?

With 3 children who will only have small rooms, I'd make the second lounge a playroom for their toys & mess.

Live in it for 6 months before altering so you see works/doesn't work, though having a loft conversion for your twins could work nicely maybe?

I think you're overthinking :)

Congratulations on your new home - give yourself time to get used to the space once you've moved in. Once you're living there, it'll be much easier to work out what you want to do - in fact, I wouldn't force decisions before you're used to the space. Let it happen organically.

I don't think there are problems painting in the winter, but I'd give careful consideration before taking out fireplaces: period features are big these days and it may not benefit the value of your home to remove them. You can always put shelves in them if you want storage.

Look at sofa beds for your second sitting room, if you designate it as a guest room only then it's out of use most of the time, you'll get more benefit having it as multi functional. Eg - If you went for a library-type feel it could work as both a study and cosy, adult sitting room and a sofa bed would mean it has a 3rd purpose too.

Wait for a while before decorating, sometimes rooms can do things you don’t expect with daylight. We have a west facing dining room, so on paper should be a bright room in the afternoon. It’s as dark as anything all the time! Also depending on the house, don’t rush to take out fireplaces, you might be needing them - I live in a forever freezing 1930s house.

Just relax into the house and see how you all start using the various spaces. The only thing I’d really suggest is with 3 kids under 6, I’d make a playroom somewhere to wrangle all the toys, kid stuff and when they are old noise of the rest of the place is open plan.

Have a look on pinterest for storage ideas, there are some great ones. Maybe make a Pinboard for each room with ideas you like, that way you can keep track of what you fancy doing.

Congrats and enjoy your new home!

I’d also look at Pinterest for storage ideas and Ikea hacks.
I have a small storeroom off the kitchen and more space through it as it’s under the stairs. The first bit is a utility for washing machine and tumble and also floor to ceiling shelves for a pantry. Round the corner and under the stairs is mostly cleaning stuff, Hoover, ironing board,etc.

DH and I walked into our new three bed house saying 'it's so empty!'

Three DC later...not a clear surface left...

I can only agree with PPs who advise moving in and living there for a while to get the feel of the place - what spaces are used more than others, where does the natural light fall, where is the most convenient access to/from the garden, is there a street view? street lights? street/traffic noise?
Perhaps just use the current loft space for storage for things you are not sure if you want to keep or will need going forward, things that are only seasonally needed etc. There is plenty of time for a conversion as your children grow.
Your children are young now but will grow up and have different needs - a second bathroom or at least a shower room/ toilet.
It's natural to want every thing to be perfect when you move into your first home, but try to be patient and get to know your "first house "before making it into your "perfect home".
Enjoy - and have fun!

The store room in the kitchen could be a larder but could also be a good place to put the washing machine and tumble dryer (stacked) if the rest of the space is open plan. Otherwise the noise will travel.

Definitely move in and live for a while before you make changes or commit to anything expensive. If there is any decor from previous owners that you can’t stand just paint it white for now.

Ikea is amazing for storage solutions, if you are near one I would go, jot down anything you like then keep an eye out on fb marketplace as people always sell ikea.

When you move make sure you have an ‘Essentials’ box for kettle, snacks, clothes for first night etc. Get beds made before anything else so you can have somewhere to sleep. Moving is exhausting! If you’re using removals I usually tip as well, maybe a tenner each.

How easy is your loft access?
I am sorting mine so it has flooring and I am putting in large metal shelves for storage and also bunch of see through large plastic boxes.
It will be amazing for storing just about anything (I tend to shop in cash and carries😁).

Under ceiling shelves. Such a great solution and it looks nice.

But as pp said, move in and see what you want and ehat you don't want. We did this before refurb and it was really valuable.

I wouldn't paint in a winter, no. Wait for warm weather. Firstly, you can air it and secondly, if you paint and it's too cold in there, paint might not stick properly. Don't be stingy as well. It's yours, get good paint. Doesn't have to be the most expensive, but it should be good.

Another option for the second lounge if you want to use it yourselves but also use it for guests is get an inflatable double bed - not a camping mattress but one that inflates to a full-size, full height bed. My second bedroom was tight on space and I wanted to use it for a study, but also as a guest room. There wasn't really room for a sofa bed as well as bookshelves and a desk, this mattress packs away in a bag in the cupboard when not in use so is perfect in a room you want to use yourselves most of the time.

My advice: don't let one space eg 3rd bedroom become a junk room, Because once it does, it's really had to get round to clearing it. Don't hoard - declutter as you go.
Furniture, curtains etc - either save up and buy good stuff that you will be happy with for years, or buy really cheap 2nd hand / free stuff to be replaced when you can afford it

@NotBrigitteBardot great advice! My mother says the same about hoarding; her pet peeve is clutter, haha. Thank you!

@RainRainRainAgain didn’t think of an inflatable bed, not a bad idea! Great to hear how you used it so thanks for sharing.

@SchrodingersImmigrant our loft hasn’t been built at all so technically there’s no access unless I get a ladder and climb up. I haven’t even seen if there’s anything proper there yet, must take a look tomorrow. Also thanks for the painting advice! My DH really wants to strip the wallpaper, skim the walls and paint but I fear he might be rushing into it.

Thank you @Philandkirsty! Appreciate it.

The store room is not really even a room. It’s just a small space under the stairs, slanted and smallish. Just about fits shelves/boxes. We do have some garden space that we were thinking of using to add an extra small toilet or small utility room with a dryer? Would that be worth it, do you think? @AnathemaPulsifer @IgiveupallthenamesIwantedareg0 @TeenPlusTwenties

I’ve made a Pinterest account and the storage ideas have enticed me! Absolutely loving it. @Finfintytint @Coughsyrupsucks

@TaraR2020 Good point about the fireplaces. My DH wanted to remove them because he prefers extra large rooms and because he doesn’t want any accidents with the kids!

Thanks again for your ideas everyone, genuinely loving them!

OP: a "downstairs" toilet is always a plus, especially with children. Even better one with easy access to/from garden (no traipsing through the whole house in garden gear!

I'd make the second lounge into a playroom since you only have box rooms for the bedrooms. Leave those rooms as literally just sleeping and changing, and the second lounge as a play area they can mess up. No point in a guest room if you rarely have guests, and let's face it, it's a good excuse not to have them, no room.

don't get small bunk beds get good solid ones that can be used until adult ie full size singles preferably 3' wide 6'6" long with decent mattresses buy cheap ( quality not always money) and you end up buying twice
often they come apart and can be used as two singles

some tiny home videos on you tube have great ideas on how to use stairs as storage everything from slide out shoe racks to taller unit to keep brush mop vaccum in

@TeacupDrama luckily that’s the bunk bed we already own - it can be turned into 2 singles. It also has underneath space which I’ve just realised could be handy for spare bedsheets, pillow covers, etc.

@IgiveupallthenamesIwantedareg0 oh great point about easy garden access! We’ve had this issue before & end up with ruined wellies/clothes because it’s such a bother getting the kids inside in the first place. Most likely will turn downstairs garden side-space into a toilet with room for a tumble dryer hopefully! Or would that be weird lol

@CakeRequired “oh sorry we really have no space, you know, with the kids and all” how tempting haha!

Overall I’ve found some lovely ideas on Pinterest. I just have to keep reminding myself that it will cost MONEY still!

My DH has started stripping the old wallpaper off and wants to plaster it then paint it a neutral colour temporarily so we can move into a nice clean place and worry about decor later as you wise ladies have suggested! Any tips I should pass on to him? He’s acting like he’s done this a million times before but I’m quite sceptical 😅