North American Van Lines Blog

Now that you've moved into your new home and your moving company has dropped off all your belongings, you may be wondering how you're going to use your abundance of space. If you have a spare room, like a basement that you don't know what to do with, this could be the perfect spot for a family game room. Here are a few tips to help the space become a fun and functional part of your house.

Create Specific Zones For Each Activity

Because your game room will be used for multiple activities, designing a versatile floor plan is a must to accommodate your family's needs. Consider utilizing a sectional couch to create a small media area, while using other features like area rugs and coffee tables to separate other spaces.

Add A Focal Point

Whether your family members are fans of pool, air hockey or foosball, including one of these tables in your room will add an instant focal point and allow you to plan out the space more effectively.

Install A Stereo System

Along with your TV, video games and other electronics in your game room, installing a stereo system may be another wise choice. This will give you background music for get-togethers or simply a way to unwind after a long day. Consider purchasing an A/V receiver to sync up all of your devices and further streamline the look of your game room. 

One of the hardest parts about hiring interstate movers and going to a new place is leaving behind your favorite restaurants, bars and prime gathering spots. Getting adjusted to your new location means that you'll need to find new places to go out, but you may have to sift through a few underwhelming places to discover a few that you like. Here are a few ways to point yourself in the direction of some exciting new venues.

Ask Your Neighbors

When you're introducing yourself to your new neighbors, don't hesitate to ask for recommendations for eateries in your area. They will most likely be happy to tell you which places to check out and which ones to avoid.

Read The Newspaper

New restaurants that are opening in your area will most likely be reviewed by your local newspaper, so keep a close eye on the food section to see if there are any new establishments opening up around you.

Go Online

With the popularity of consumer-driven websites like Yelp, anyone can be a food critic by going online and sharing their experiences with the world. Read a few reviews to get better insight into the quality of the food, service and other important factors when choosing a restaurant.

Last but not least, consider driving around your town to pick up a few menus. This will be a great chance for you to explore your new town and see what it has to offer.

Moving during the holiday season is uniquely challenging for myriad reasons, not the least of which is getting your belongings completely unpacked and then decorating your home in time for Christmas. While your interstate movers may have taken care to keep your seasonal decorations separate from the rest of your stuff, you may be looking for a faster and easier way to punch up the look of your home this year. Here are three craft projects you can put together in your free time that won't break the bank.

1. A Custom-Made Wreath. Whether it adorns your front door or the area above your fireplace, creating your own wreath is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer, suggests Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Pick up an empty wreath at your local craft store and decorate it with ribbons, family photos and other Christmas accents to infuse your own sense of style into the piece.

2. A Felt Bottle Cover. If you'll be breaking out a bottle of wine or champagne during your Christmas festivities, give it a dash of style with a felt bottle cover. You can cut out a piece of felt in the shape of a Christmas tree and adorn it with sparkles and other pieces of flair to jazz up the look of your holiday table spread, suggests MarthaStewart.com.

3. A Teacup Centerpiece. If you have a collection of vintage teacups, consider placing tea lights inside of them on a tray. Accent the perimeter with pine cones, pieces of holly and other pops of color to create an instant focal point for your gathering.

As you start to pack up the various items in your home that will be heading to your new house, there are a few that will require a bit more preparation in transit. Your family's mattresses will be some of the biggest items transported by your long distance movers, and they can be susceptible to damage if you don't prepare beforehand. Use the following tips to ensure that you're sleeping comfortably on your mattress when you move into your next home.

Measure Before You Move

Before you get everything onto your moving truck, will your new mattress be able to fit into your new home's doorways? Consider talking with your real estate agent or the former homeowner to find out if you'll be able to move your mattresses into the house or if you'll need to make more advanced preparations.

Invest In Mattress Covers

Dirt, debris and other materials could accumulate on your mattresses during your move, so it may be wise to invest in mattress covers. These products can be found at home supply stores, and usually consist of a large plastic bag that will protect your bedding during the moving process.

Don't Bend Your Mattresses

When you're moving your mattresses out of your home, be sure to avoid bending them too extremely. According to STLBeds.com, folding a mattress more than 10 to 15 degrees could harm the coil springs and render it unusable.

When you've hired a moving company and you're trying to decide what will stay and go in your current home, your furniture will be a major focus. If you're going to be downsizing to a smaller home in the coming months, investing in a few space-saving furnishings could be very beneficial in creating more usable living space. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when you're putting together your gathering space.

Sectional couches

These sofas are great options for small living rooms and can be placed in a corner of the room to create more space. They're also very versatile and can be found in a variety of sizes to suit the nature of the room.

A dual-purpose ottoman

A coffee table is a staple in most living rooms, but it may be a waste of space if it doesn't provide any storage. Consider investing in a storage ottoman - this can provide additional space for blankets and pillows, and you can place small trays on top to have it double as a coffee table when entertaining.

Add floating wall shelves

Instead of using a bulky bookcase to store items, consider installing a few floating wall shelves in your living room instead. These items will drill directly into your wall and will allow you to use any wall in your home as a potential storage spot. Their slim profiles will also create the illusion of more space. 

If you've found yourself hiring interstate movers and starting a new life in Washington, D.C., with your family, you may be ready to get out and explore the nation's capitol. Of course, while the National Air & Space Museum, the Lincoln Memorial and other attractions should be at the top of your list, there are a few hidden gems in D.C. that are worth checking out. The following ideas could be a wonderful chance for a day trip with your loved ones.

1. C&O Canal National Historical Park. If you're looking for a way to enjoy the great outdoors and soak up some of the beautiful scenery, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is a fabulous choice. The waterway stretches 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland, and is open to bikers, joggers and hikers, reports Washington.org.

2. Visit the National Archives. As home to many of the most famous pieces of legislation in our history, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other important documents, the National Archives is a great idea for a rainy afternoon and will allow your family to delve into the nation's rich history.

3. The Capitol Steps. There's no better way to end a day in Washington, D.C., than to take a picture on the Capitol Building Steps, suggests TripAdvisor.com. The area features a gorgeous park and is one of the most picturesque scenes in the capitol. 

Now that your moving company has gone and you're planning out your home's interior design, one place that may need immediate attention is your bathroom. With the holiday season on the horizon, this room will see a lot of action in the coming months, and improving its aesthetic can work wonders for your home's decorative scheme. Here are a few easy ways to improve the look of your washroom without performing extensive remodeling.

1. Use LED Lighting. To save a bit of money on your utility bills and give your space a touch of modern flair, go with LED lights. You can use them as accent lighting behind a bathroom mirror to create an elegant backsplash or to replace your existing fixtures to reduce your carbon footprint 

2. Opt For Creative Storage. Clutter is your worst enemy in a bathroom, as extraneous items can make the room feel much smaller. Consider using baskets, mason jars and anything else you may have around the house to compartmentalize your belongings and make the space look more streamlined.

3. Add A Seasonal Centerpiece. If you have a bit of bare space on your countertop, put together a series of candles, seasonal accents and other items to create an instant focal point. Next to your centerpiece, add a few soaps, lotions and other toiletries that your guests can use over the holiday season. Not only will this tie your interior design together, but it will make the room more functional. 

When you make the decision to put your home on the market, there are a variety of tasks you'll need to perform before hiring a moving company and transitioning into your next home. Selling your home as quickly as possible is surely one of your top priorities, and finding ways to make your house more attractive to prospective buyers will make that happen. Consider the following ways to improve the look of your home inside and out to close the deal far sooner.

Use Home Staging

Because the majority of your belongings will be heading to your new house in a short time, it's vital to create a lived-in environment that can show potential buyers what the home would look like under normal conditions. HGTV suggests using minimal furnishings to illuminate the dimensions of the living areas and a neutral color scheme to showcase how versatile the spaces can be.

 Hire A Landscaper

First impressions mean everything in the real estate market, so if your home boasts a beautiful garden, a well-manicured lawn and other impressive features, this may tip the scales in your favor.

Fix Any Nagging Issues

According to HomeInsight.com, any small issues that you've been putting off, from a loose window screen to a closet door that's off its track, should be taken care of. Prospective buyers who perform close inspections of your home won't like to see these signs of disrepair, so make sure these are taken care of before hosting visitors. 

As hard as you may try to eliminate unwanted items during the packing process, you may find that there are a variety of items you may not have space for in your new home. With your interstate movers departed and a mountain of cardboard boxes in your garage or basement, you may be wondering what to do with it all. Here are a few simple suggestions to keep in mind that may help you de-clutter your home in short order.

Hold A Yard Sale

If you have an abundance of items that you don't know what to do with, it may be worth finding out if you can make a bit of money off of them. Put up flyers in your neighborhood and put an ad in your local newspaper to get the word out. This could also be a great opportunity to meet your new neighbors!

Rent a self-storage bin

There's a reason why you didn't throw away those items while you were packing in your previous home - you still thought you had uses for them! When you don't want to part with specific items, it may be wise to put them in a self-storage bin for the time being. This modest investment will keep your belongings safe until you know what to do with them.

Make a donation

Whether it's old clothing, furniture or anything else, your unwanted items may be put to good use by the less fortunate. Donate them to charity to free up space in your new home and give them new leases on life. 

After your interstate movers have hauled in the last of your cardboard boxes and you finally feel at home in your new house, it's time to get out and explore your new community. Some people may relish the opportunity to start up conversations with their new neighbors, but if this is your first time breaking the ice, the following tips could help you make a good first impression.

Make Small Talk

While it may seem inconsequential at first, whether you're taking a walk around your neighborhood or sharing the elevator in an apartment building, make an effort to start up a conversation with a neighbor, suggests ApartmentGuide.com. Always remember to smile and ask people about their days, or ask for information about the area.

Drop Off Baked Goods And A Card

If you're looking for something that's a bit less direct but can still send a positive message, consider whipping up a batch of brownies or cookies for your neighbors. They'll appreciate the gesture and you can even invite them over for a get-together in the near future.

Host A Backyard Party

On the other hand, if you're the kind of person who wants to inject yourself into your neighborhood's social scene, there's no better way than holding a party, suggests TheClassyWoman.com. Use a seasonal theme in your decorations to score some style points, and consider cooking up your own spin on a local food tradition. An unforgettable night is a great way to begin lasting relationships with your new friends.