How to unpack after moving
You might think that unpacking is easy. It’s just a matter of opening boxes, right? On one hand, the answer is yes. On the other hand, unpacking efficiently takes planning and strategy. The difference between the two is life changing, allowing you to get back to normality after the stress of moving. Here’s how to unpack after moving like a pro.
1. The secret starts with packing
If you plan your packing with unpacking in mind, it saves lots of time and effort. Easier and faster unpacking means less stress. The first key to the plan is to pack an essentials box.
An essentials box contains everything you need immediately at your new home. It will probably contain these sorts of items:
- Towels
- Toiletries
- Toilet paper
- Sheets and blankets to make the beds
- An easy to prepare meal, plates and cutlery
- A change of clothes
Moving can be unpredictable. If you account for the worst, that you won’t unpack a single box other than your essentials box, you’ll get through your first night in comfort.
2. Write detailed labels on boxes
Every box should have the following written clearly on the top or side of the box: the room where the items belong and what items are inside. As you won’t be able to fit the toaster in your essentials box, you’ll still want to be able to find it easily on the first morning at your new home.
3. Plan furniture placement before you move
Planning where all your furniture will go is a huge time saver for unpacking. Firstly, you can get your furniture movers to place the items, saving you time moving things around. This means you can focus entirely on unpacking boxes. Prioritise the placement of beds above all else. Moving is fatiguing even if you’re not doing all the lifting.
4. Assemble and make the beds before doing anything else
As above, moving is tiring and stressful. There’s nothing worse than having to assemble and make beds when you’re tired and just want to go to sleep. Especially if you’re moving with kids, you’ll want to make sure everyone can get to bed on time.
5. The best order to unpack each room
Start with the kitchen. If you have the kitchen sorted, you’re ready to prepare meals and drinks. It may sound obvious, but many people forget to eat and drink when moving and you need to remain nourished and hydrated.
Move onto the bathroom next. Although you’ll have what you need in your essentials box for the first night, you’ll want to be able to have a refreshing shower or a relaxing soak in the tub to soothe tired muscles.
Work through the bedrooms next. Prioritise children’s bedrooms first to get kids settled as soon as you can. Progress to the living and dining areas next. Set up your entertainment systems and anything else you need for rest and relaxation. Leave pictures and ornaments till absolutely last. That way you’ll have lived in the space and will have a better idea where everything should go.
If you work from home for any reason, set up that space next so you’re ready to go when you’re next expected to be at work. Any non-essential items should always come last. This includes occasional items like Christmas decorations, tools for the shed, sporting equipment and so forth.
The key to unpacking like a pro is to do it room by room, in a structured and orderly fashion. If you need help with unpacking, talk to us about help with reassembly of furniture, unpacking services and the removal of packing materials.