Time-Saving Tips for Unpacking After Moving

You survived prepping your home for sale, looking for and finding a new home to purchase, multiple inspections, paper signing galore and packing. The movers have loaded the truck and you are left thinking “I still have to unpack everything on the other end?” Unpacking after a move can be a daunting task but with a few easy tips, we hope to make it easier on you.  And, if you still don’t have the time or energy to tackle it on your own, let us do the work for you. We specialize in unpacking and organizing your entire home after a move and we can make it happen in just a few days. Here are a few tips to guide you through the process.

ORDER MATTERS

Ask your movers to unload the kitchen boxes first so you can begin unpacking while the rest of the truck is being unloaded. Being in the kitchen will keep you out of the halls and doorways but still available for questions. Plus, getting the kitchen set up first is essential for you to be able to prepare meals.

You will want to unpack all of the kitchen boxes, grouping like things together before you decide where to place things. You don’t want to pick a cabinet for the pots and pans to later find out you have more cookware than will possibly fit in the designated location. Once you get your items grouped, decide if anything can be donated (do you really need 3 sets of mixing bowls?) and then pick your location based on proximity to where things will be used. When everything is placed in it’s permanent cabinet or drawer, label everything. This gives a permanence to the situation and helps everyone know where to return items when unloading the dishwasher.

Once the kitchen is complete, tackle the bedrooms and bathrooms. Save the garage and storage areas for last.

CONTAINING THE MESS

Break down boxes immediately after unpacking. This will save space and will give you more room to breathe. Have a place designated for all broken down boxes to go to until they can be recycled. I recommend the garage for this if possible.

Packing paper and bubble wrap also need a landing place to keep the mess to a minimum. Use a few large boxes that you’ve emptied to store paper and bubble wrap and be sure to press down firmly as you go to maximize space. The packing paper can be recycled and the bubble wrap will need to be thrown in the trash so be sure to keep them separate.

Designate a box or two for donations so as you unpack, you have a specific location to place items you would like to donate. Make sure the boxes are clearly marked so they can be dropped off at a donation center once you get settled.

PLANNING IS A PLUS

If you thought through where you wanted large furniture (on what wall would you like this bed?), before the movers arrived, you get bonus points. If you didn’t do that, you can use sliders to place your furniture in the way in which you want. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when placing your furniture. It doesn’t have to be used the same way in which it was used in the last house. Every house is different and you may find that a piece of furniture that was perfect in one room at the old house gained a new purpose and place in your new home.

Once your furniture is in place, you can begin to hang artwork, photos and shelves. Doing this early in the process as opposed to months down the road brings familiarity and will make your new house feel like home. If you don’t have a mudroom, you will also want to create an entryway off the door you enter most often to make a home for coats, purses, shoes, backpacks and activity bags. There are many decorative hooks, benches and baskets available to make this space not only functional but beautiful as well.

You are well on your way to feeling settled and organized in your new home but if you get stuck, we are always available to help get your new home Perfectly Placed.

Just give us a call at 636-686-0048.