where should i start?

[myfs_100999]

my soon to be husband $ me are moving in to our new (to us) appartment. it's small, old and not very well designed.
but i want to make home out of it.
help me.
what should i check first; and deal with before moving in and what can take place later?
its living room big window looks to north; the bedroom is on south; the kitchen shares a wall with the living room.
there is another small room that has a window to east;
our birth days: 20/12/1972 (mine) 18/12/1970 (his)
we're currently students seeking for jobs
we had a very very rough year (medical problems; delays of our wedding plans and more...)
we want to make our home a place we like to be in and have our family and friends feeling welcome & happy.
so, where do we start?