There's so much to do during a relocation, and rarely enough time — but hiring professional movers to manage your boxes will give you precious extra hours to get some things done around the house. Knowing the best ways to spend your time can help make your first few weeks in your new home less stressful.

1. Remove and Change Window Treatments

It’s very likely that the previous owners or occupants of your home left their window treatments in place when they left. While it's convenient to have window treatments when you move in, don't keep them for longer than a few weeks.

Window treatments that haven't been cleaned regularly can harbor dust mites and other allergens. For a good start in your new home, replace the window treatments as soon as it's realistic. You'd be amazed how different the rooms can look with new window treatments, and you'll feel better when you start every day with a fresh new look that you picked yourself.

2. Paint

A fresh coat of paint brightens every room, and makes your home look cleaner, newer and more well-maintained. Some tips:

• Neutral colors for common spaces, colors you love for personal spaces: Neutral colors are easy on the eyes and good for staging. They're also easy to coordinate with furnishings. Paint these colors in spaces such as the living room, dining room and areas where you receive guests. Save your favorite colors (especially bold, vivid hues) for your bedroom and other personal spaces.

• Use samples to choose which shades: Don't rely on swatches alone. Paint large samples on your walls and wait for the paint to dry before selecting a paint color.

• Paint before moving in: It's so much easier and faster to paint when your house is empty. Coordinate with your movers to find out when your things will be delivered and make arrangements to paint in advance. Leave enough time for the paint to dry.

3. Clean

Take time to clean spaces like the kitchen, bathroom, refrigerator, stove, floors, windows and more. Like painting, this is easiest to do before the movers arrive with your things.

• Deep clean any surfaces that will be touched by food. Use antibacterial kitchen cleaners.

• Disinfect all bathroom surfaces. Use bleach whenever it's safe for the surface being cleaned. Not all surfaces should be cleaned by bleach, so read the directions on the cleaning label before using any cleaners.

4. Change Your Locks

You have no way of knowing who has keys to the locks in your new home. The best way to safeguard your house (and the people and objects in it) is to change the locks to any exterior doors and your garage. Hire a professional locksmith to get the work done correctly and efficiently.

5. Explore Your Home

There are many things you should know about your new home. Where is the electrical panel? The gas shutoff and water shutoff? How do you control the in-ground sprinklers? Where is the HVAC air filter, and has it been changed recently? Spend time exploring your new home and the various systems in it. If you live in an apartment building, know where the fire escapes are.

6. Unpack Essentials

Once the boxes have been moved in, it's time to unpack, starting with essentials first. Some examples of essential goods:

• Sheets, blankets and pillowcases for the beds

• Clothes, shoes, coats and hats you're wearing this season

• School supplies for the kids

• Toys and entertainment for your children

• Pet supplies such as a food dish and leash

• Plates, pots, pans and silverware

• Light bulbs, batteries and flashlights

• Tools

• Bath towels, wash cloths and dish towels

7. Buy Groceries

 A lot of people live on takeout while they're packing up to move. By the time you reach your new abode, you're probably ready to eat some home-cooked meals. Buy groceries to stock your refrigerator. Plan to keep meals simple at first, to reduce stress and keep your kitchen clean-up to a minimum.

As long as you're buying food for meals, this is a good time to stock up on easy to eat snacks to consume while unpacking. Nuts, carrot sticks and string cheese are all good foods to eat while you're unpacking in your new home.

Be Patient

You probably wish you could get everything done the minute you take possession of your new house, but moving takes time. Be patient. Give yourself time to get everything done. Make a list of what needs to be done, order the items by priority, then make a schedule for getting the work done. Even if you can't accomplish all these tasks at once, you'll feel better knowing you have a plan.

Author bio: Kelli Warren is a co-owner of Moving Proz, a moving company in Kansas City and Denver. She has over five years of experience within the moving and transportation industry and loves to help provide a great moving experience for clients no matter what their moving situation may be.