Decorating Checklist Before Moving Into a New Home
A practical guide to getting your new Edinburgh home decorated before the furniture arrives.
Why Decorate Before You Move In?
If you’re buying a home or moving into a new rental in Edinburgh, decorating before you move your furniture in is by far the easiest and most cost-effective approach. Empty rooms are quicker to paint, easier to prepare, and there’s no risk of damage to your belongings.
Whether you’ve just purchased a tenement flat in Stockbridge or a Victorian villa in Trinity, here’s a practical checklist to follow.
Paint Before Laying New Flooring
If you’re planning both new flooring and a repaint, always paint first. Paint drips, dust from sanding, and filler residue can all damage new flooring. Once the decorating is complete and fully dry, new flooring can be laid into a clean, freshly finished room.
We coordinate with flooring installers regularly and can advise on timing to make sure everything flows smoothly.
Paint Before Moving Furniture In
An empty room is faster and cheaper to decorate. There’s no furniture to move or protect, every wall is fully accessible, and the decorators can work more efficiently. If you have a completion date, book your decorator in advance so the work can begin as soon as you get the keys.
For larger properties, a team of decorators can work across multiple rooms simultaneously — turning around a full flat or house in under a week.
Check Walls and Woodwork
Before decorating begins, it’s worth doing a walk-through to note any issues:
- Cracks and holes — From picture hooks, shelving or general wear. These are filled and sanded as part of standard preparation.
- Damp or mould — Especially in bathrooms, kitchens and north-facing rooms. These need treating before paint goes on.
- Old wallpaper — If the previous owners left wallpaper, it usually needs stripping before a fresh start. Multiple layers are common in older Edinburgh properties.
- Woodwork condition — Check skirting boards, door frames and window frames for flaking paint, chips or yellowing. Woodwork preparation makes a big difference to the finished result.
You don’t need to fix any of these yourself — just note them so they can be discussed during your free home visit.
Decorating Older Edinburgh Homes
If your new home is an older property, there are a few extra things to consider:
- Tenement flats — High ceilings, original cornicing and deep window reveals are common across Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Newington. Preparation often involves filling cracks around cornicing and using specialist access for high ceilings.
- Victorian villas — Ornate plasterwork, panelled doors and large sash windows all need careful, skilled preparation to preserve their character.
- Georgian townhouses — Grand proportions and delicate mouldings may require specialist finishing techniques.
- Modern flats — Generally quicker to prepare, with smooth walls and standard ceiling heights. The focus is usually on achieving a clean, even finish.
For an idea of costs, see our Edinburgh decorating pricing guide.
Moving Into a New Home?
Book a free home visit before your move date and we’ll have your new home freshly decorated before the furniture arrives. As experienced painters and decorators in Edinburgh, we handle everything from preparation to the final coat.
