Everyone is unique when it comes to relocating to a new house. Some people find packing to be a labor of love, and when they unpack their belongings at their new home, they feel energized and full of possibilities. On the other hand, some people may enjoy the prospect of organizing their homes, but they simply despise unpacking because of how much effort it takes to organize everything into the correct rooms. But no matter which group you fall into, sticking to a simple unpacking plan will help make your move-in a lot less stressful. Here are some tips for unpacking after a move from your moving pros at Andrews Installation Group.

Have a Plan!

Moving day chaos can be overwhelming. You’ll undoubtedly feel pressured to empty your van or truck as quickly as you can. It may be tempting to simply dump all of your packing materials next to the door and organize them afterward. But we strongly advise against doing this. Instead, we recommend taking the time to arrange your boxes in the appropriate places right away. This will save you the stress of doing it later when you’re already exhausted from the big day.

Any labeling system you developed when packing for the relocation will be useful at this point. Every box should be clearly labeled with the room it belongs in. (If not, it has to be indicated with some kind of description of what’s inside.) 

Be aware of what you are unpacking before diving in and arbitrarily opening boxes. Make sure you have a copy of the inventory list so you can keep track of all your possessions. Before you empty the boxes, make sure you check that the contents of the box match the inventory and checklists you made. Then, tackle things one room at a time, and one box at a time (if possible). Staying organized is key!

Unpack the Essentials First

Because unpacking can take a long time, it’s important to unpack your essentials first. That way, you’ll be prepared to spend a couple of days at your new house with all the essentials on hand. If you didn’t set aside one or two boxes for the necessities, look for boxes that have everything you need to survive for at least a few nights. These necessities typically consist of the following: fundamental toiletries, medications, books, important documentation, phone and computer chargers, and some fundamental kitchenware.

Start with the Kitchen

The kitchen is often one of the most used rooms in the house. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure your kitchen is organized first so that you can have a clean place to prepare meals while finishing your unpacking. If your boxes are labeled thoroughly, it should be pretty easy to find what you need right away. Start by lining kitchen cabinets and cupboards if you have time. Otherwise, go ahead and unpack the kitchen essentials, such as pots, pans, silverware, and dining ware. Then move on to the most important appliances, such as coffee makers, toasters, and microwaves. Once the rest of the house has been unpacked, you may go back and concentrate on organizing the kitchen entirely.

Move on to the Bedrooms

First and foremost, make sure your bed frames, headboards, and mattresses get moved in safely. Also, make sure to find your sheets and set the bed right away. You’ll definitely want a comfortable place to sleep after all this hard work! Then take some time to install your closet organizers and move in your dressers and other storage items. Set aside some comfortable clothing to change into for when you go to sleep. 

Then Unpack the Bathrooms

If the water is already turned on when you move in, the bathroom fixtures should be mostly functional already. Even so, you should make sure to unpack your towels, toiletries, and other bathroom supplies as soon as possible. After all, a cozy, well-stocked bathroom does more than anything else to make a house feel like a home. Start unpacking by taking out the essentials first—toiletries, medicines, shower curtains, and towels. Because bathrooms are smaller rooms, you can usually finish unpacking these areas first.

Organize and Assemble the Furniture 

If you already planned out how you want your rooms to look, moving the furniture into place should be fairly straightforward. However, furniture is heavy and bulky, so we recommend having a team of professional furniture movers help you out. If possible, have a plan in mind so you only have to arrange the furniture one time. However, be sure to keep an open mind if things don’t fit exactly as you expected. Larger pieces that require manual assembly, such as entertainment centers or bookcases, should only be put together after you have decided where all the furniture will go. 

Take Care of Storage and Utility Areas Last 

The utility rooms, storage spaces, basements, attics, and garages should be among the final rooms to be unpacked. Although it’s tempting to fill up these areas with boxes, try your best to unpack as much as you can first, and then leave the rest in storage. Be sure to unpack and tools and supplies you’ll need to keep your home operational before storing them away. Lastly, unpack items for outdoor areas like the patio, deck, or outdoor sheds.

Time to Get Organized!

There is one guiding principle to unpacking: everything has its place. This implies that you should have a general notion of where you want to put each thing you take out of the box in your new home. And you should immediately put it back where it belongs. Put back in the box any goods about which you are doubtful. 

Take a good, hard look at any belongings you still have in boxes until you’ve lived in your house for a bit, perhaps two weeks to be safe. Ask yourself if you really need these items. Do they actually belong in your new house? Do you miss using them every day?

Consider either giving away the items or throwing them away if the bulk of these questions are negative. The time has come to purge your space even more. There is no point in keeping things that are unlikely to be used again. Giving them to someone who can utilize them is your best option.

Advice for Quick Unpacking 

• Take your time unpacking the remainder of the house after you’ve finished with the necessities. 

• Before you open too many boxes, make a plan for each room. 

• Consider foreseeable needs. Do the task now, when it is most effective, rather than putting it off. Examples include installing closet organizers or lining cabinet shelves. 

• Adopt the area as your own. Early on in your unpacking, hang pictures and scatter family photos about the house. It will encourage your family’s excitement and help the house feel cozy and familiar. 

• Let each family member unpack their own bedroom, as necessary. Kids can now take part in the event thanks to this. 

• Once you’ve finished with the primary necessities of unpacking, try to set aside some time to relax in your new home. Maybe plan some enjoyable family events. Set aside a few hours throughout the course of the following weeks to ensure that the task will be done gradually. 

Tips for Unpacking After a Move — Get Moving Advice from Andrews Installation Group!

Andrews Installation Group offers more than 20 years of experience assisting both home and business owners with relocation. To ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible, we handle furniture delivery, furniture installation, warehousing, asset management, and more. Contact us today and we will be a great team together!

As the best moving company in Tempe, we work hard to deliver and set up your furniture promptly and safely so you have more time to personalize your new place. Reduce some of the stress associated with moving by working with Andrews Installation Group!