Smooth Unpacking Starts with Organized Packing

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group

Being a professional moving company, we recognize that moving is both exciting and exhausting! In addition to packing and physically moving everything to your new place, you must unpack once you get there. A lot of people opt to do the unpacking themselves, rather than have your professional movers handle it, so that they can save a little money on the move. Luckily, there are steps you can take to make unpacking and moving into your new place, less stressful.

Planning and Organizing Are Key

Smooth unpacking starts with how you pack! Packing strategically can significantly cut down on stressors and headaches once you reach your new location. Pack an "essentials" box (or two) that contains things you will need immediately at your new place.

This box should include things like:

Towels
Toiletries (Don’t forget the toilet paper!)
Sheets/blankets or sleeping bags in case your bed won’t be put together in time
Cooking essentials
Cups, plates, bowls and flatware

This way once you arrive at the new place, you will have everything you need to get through the first night, even if you are too exhausted to start unpacking.

Additionally, while you are packing your belongings, make sure to clearly label each box with which room it should go into when it arrives. This way you won't have to blindly open boxes unsure of what is in it or search through countless boxes to find something you need.

You may also already have an idea of where the furniture is to go. Planning where each piece will go prior to the move will speed up the process and help you stay organized and focused on the rest of the unpacking. And, it will save the time and energy of having to move heavy pieces of furniture around several times while trying to get the layout of the room just right.

Office Space

If you have a home office, you may need to unpack these items first to stay on top of your business. If you're a work-from-home individual, obviously you'll want to have your office unpacked, organized, and operational so you don't fall behind.

Assemble the Furniture

Moving day can be exhausting and you'll likely be ready to crawl into bed that first night. That's why assembling and making your bed(s) is a great start before unpacking too many boxes. You won't want to have to do it after you've spent the whole day unpacking boxes and bags and organizing.

Additionally, if you have a plan of where you want your furniture to go, you can direct the moving company crew where to put the furniture so that you don’t have to do a lot of heavy lifting yourself.

Unpack the Kitchen

Once you've got your beds assembled and large furniture in place, the kitchen is the most logical place to start unpacking. Since the kitchen is considered the heart of the home, having your cabinets, cupboards, and appliances all unpacked and organized will help you shift into your new home.

If you have an eat-in kitchen, you'll likely also have a table that will help you unpack in a more organized way.

Tackle the Bathroom

After you spend all day moving, unpacking and organizing, you'll probably want to take a shower or soak in a relaxing bath. Your "essentials" box should include the toiletries, soaps, shampoos, medications, or other items that are necessary for the bathroom.

Having the kitchen and bathroom unpacked makes unpacking the rest of your things easier.

Move to the Bedrooms

Since a lot of the furniture is already in place, the bedrooms should be the next to unpack. If you have packed the bedding in clear plastic bags or bins, it will be easier to identify which bedclothes go to which room. Alternatively, write the name of the person's bedroom on the box after packing it to make it easier.

Unpack the Living and Dining Rooms

Hopefully, you will have your furniture in place which will make unpacking everything else easier. Don't worry about decorative items such as wall-hangings or knick-knackery until all of the essential items are unpacked.

Non-Essential Items

Seasonal items such as holiday decorations or things that you seldom use can be unpacked last. These things will usually go to an attic, basement, shed, storage room, or garage.

As with packing, unpacking is made easier with planning and organization. Being orderly about the process will help to ensure you enjoy your new home as seamlessly and quickly as possible.

If unpacking after your move is more than you can manage, check with your local moving company to see what levels of unpacking services they provide.

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