Your Designer Unpacking Guide for Ottawa Homes

Moving is rarely anyone’s idea of fun. Between packing, paperwork, and deliveries, it can feel like a hundred small tasks at once. Then come those first mornings in a new place, when the kettle is missing and every room is a maze of boxes. It doesn’t have to feel that way. Apply a designer’s approach and give yourself a simple plan for what to open first, where things belong, and how each room should work.

I design homes across Ottawa, from compact condos to busy family houses, and the same principles I use on projects work beautifully in move-in week. We begin with how you live, then set the right layout, scale, and flow so your home feels organized, comfortable, and personal.

This guide is a clear roadmap for moving in with intention, from unpacking priorities to straightforward decisions about layout, lighting, and storage that help your home work beautifully from day one.

Start with a solid plan

Walk through the rooms you will use most of your time at home,, like the bedroom, kitchen, and living area. Decide where the bed, sofa, and table should go so circulation is clear and the essentials are easy to reach. Leave room to adjust once you have lived in the space for a few days.

If you want a proper plan, I offer design consultations and custom plans with drawings, a mood board, and an itemized purchase list for furniture, lighting, textiles, window treatments, flooring, paint, tile, and finishes.

Declutter before the boxes arrive

Sort items into keep, donate, recycle, or sell, and label boxes to match the new layout. Aim to bring only what you love and use. Clear decisions before moving day make move-in smoother and keep surfaces tidy once you are settled.

Lean on the professionals

Professional movers do more than haul boxes. Ask for protective wrapping on furnishings and doorways, box-by-room delivery, assembly of key pieces, and debris removal. Clear labelling and a simple room inventory keep zones organized. This speeds up placement and safeguards new floors, trims and finishes..

What professionals can handle on move day

• Full or partial packing with the right materials for each item.

• Protective wrapping for furniture, plus corner, doorway, and floor protection.

• Box-by-room delivery is organized according to labelling and the inventory list.

• Placement to your floor plan, with on-site adjustments.

• Unpacking assistance and assembly of furniture and hardware.

Need help finding reliable and vetted moving companies? Find and book Ottawa’s best moving teams here, with the skill, expertise and local knowledge needed to assist you during your move.

Curate as you unpack items

Keep what supports your style and daily rhythm, and what fits the footprint you are moving into. In condos and smaller homes across the Glebe, Westboro, and Centretown, right-sized furnishings and thoughtful placement make an immediate difference.

When you need help with scale and flow, I can create furniture layouts and selections that feel balanced and welcoming.

Design for Ottawa’s seasons

Ottawa swings from bright summers to long winters, so plan for year-round ease with lined window treatments for insulation and privacy, a balanced mix of ambient and task lighting, and durable finishes that hold up to daily life.

I can help you choose paint, tile, lighting, flooring, and fabrics that suit everyday life and your budget and style.

Layer with intention

Once the big pieces are set, add texture and colour. A tailored rug, comfortable upholstery, art, and a few accessories go a long way. Small tweaks can do wonders and refresh a traditional home or modern condo without a full renovation.

Make your storage work for you

Where does clutter collect? Entry zones need landing spots. Kitchens benefit from smart cabinetry and pullouts. A built-in in the living area can hide tech and store books. I can plan storage solutions and built-in ideas that keep surfaces clear and make daily routines simple.

Finish in phases

You do not need to do it all at once. Live in the space, then layer. Start with paint and lighting, then move to furniture and window treatments. When you are ready, we can talk about kitchen and bathroom updates, a fresh basement layout, or a larger renovation plan that fits your timing.

How Custom Spaces can help you

• In-home consultations for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, colour, and furniture layouts

• Custom design plans with drawings, a mood board, and an itemized purchase list.

• Contractor coordination support with drawings for permitting when required.

• Room updates and styling that work within a set budget.

Based in Ottawa. View recent projects, read client stories, and schedule an appointment today!