5 Tips for Efficiently Unpacking After a Move
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Moving into a new home can be both exciting and overwhelming. After the hustle of packing and transporting your belongings, unpacking might seem like a daunting task. However, with the right strategies, you can turn this chore into an organized and efficient process. Here are five tips to help you unpack efficiently after a move.
Before diving into the tips, let me share a bit of our recent experience. We’re currently unpacking ourselves, and our home is still filled with totes. Just a few days after our move, our household was hit with a virus. While the rest of my family is recovering nicely, my illness unfortunately turned into walking pneumonia. It’s been a challenging time, but we’re slowly getting through it. This brings me to an important point: it’s okay if things don’t go according to plan. Life happens, and while it may take a little longer, you’ll get there.
1. Prioritize Essentials
When you first arrive at your new home, focus on unpacking the essentials. These are the items you’ll need immediately, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen supplies, and bedding. Pack these items in a separate “essentials” box before the move and label it clearly. This way, you can quickly access the necessities without rummaging through multiple boxes.
Quick Tips:
- Label the essentials box with a bright marker or tape.
- Include a toolkit with basic tools for assembling furniture.
- Personally, I pack all the “essentials” in extra luggage so it’s easy to access and keep track of.
2. Unpack Room by Room
Tackling one room at a time can make the unpacking process more manageable and less overwhelming. Start with the rooms that are used most frequently, such as the kitchen and bedrooms. This approach helps you create functional spaces quickly and provides a sense of accomplishment as you complete each room.
Quick Tips:
- Set up the kitchen first to ensure you can prepare meals.
- Make the beds early on to guarantee a good night’s sleep.
Bonus tip: My daughters, myself, and our pets stayed behind, while my husband and others went back to our old house to pick up the remaining items to bring to the new house. While they were gone, I had the girls do activities I had preemptively packed while, I unpacked the majority of our pantry items, paper plates and utensils, and stocked the refrigerator. This helped us get a head start on having some items readily available and it made the process of eating dinner that first night so much easier.
3. Organize as You Go
Rather than just emptying boxes and placing items anywhere, take the time to organize your belongings as you unpack. This means putting items in their designated places and thinking about how to arrange each space. Efficient organization from the start can save you time and effort later on.
Quick Tips:
- Use drawer organizers and storage bins to keep items neat.
- Arrange furniture and décor to create a functional layout.
- Don’t be afraid of setting up a room and having to change it up once everything is done, we are currently doing this.
4. Declutter During Unpacking
Unpacking is a great opportunity to declutter. As you unbox your items, evaluate whether you truly need or want each one. Separate things you no longer need into piles for donating, recycling, or discarding. This not only reduces clutter but also helps you make the most of your new space.
Quick Tips:
- Have boxes or bags ready for items you plan to donate or discard.
- Ask yourself if each item is useful or in our case, we’re finding that some items we thought we had the space for we don’t.
5. Take Breaks and Pace Yourself
Unpacking can be physically and mentally exhausting, so it’s important to pace yourself and take breaks. Set realistic goals for each day and give yourself time to rest. Taking breaks will help you stay energized and motivated, making the entire process more efficient and enjoyable.
Quick Tips:
- Set a timer to remind yourself to take breaks.
- Make a plan to work on one area at a time or one area per day.
6. Create Additional Storage
While we were unpacking, we realized we needed to work on a couple of areas to give us additional storage. To make sure we had adequate space for the items we were going to be unpacking, we ended up prioritizing redoing a few of our closets. This turned out to be a crucial step in our unpacking process, as it allowed us to better organize our belongings. Between this project and the sickness we were fighting, we are still not where we would have liked to be, but it’s all part of the process.
Side note: the wood we used for this DIY project came from one of my old bookcases that we decided wouldn’t be rebuilt in the new home.
Quick Tips:
- Assess your storage needs before unpacking all your boxes.
- Consider investing in closet organizers or shelving units to maximize space.
7. Adjust to Unexpected Changes
Originally, we planned to have all of our daughter’s toys in the family room downstairs. However, given the state of things after our move and the sickness that followed, we ended up having some toys upstairs and some downstairs. We plan to keep it that way until we can set up the family room completely. This was not our initial plan, but sometimes you have to come up with solutions on the fly, even if they are temporary.
Quick Tips:
- Be flexible with your initial plans.
- Use temporary solutions to keep the household functional.
Click here, to find the exact paint I purchased to bring this old dresser back to life and repurpose it for the living room at our new house.
Conclusion
Unpacking after a move doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By prioritizing essentials, unpacking room by room, organizing as you go, decluttering, taking breaks, creating additional storage, and adjusting to unexpected changes, you can transform the process into a smooth and efficient task. Remember, the goal is to create a comfortable and organized space where you can start enjoying your new home.
If things don’t go according to plan, like in our case, don’t feel bad. Illness or other unexpected events can slow down the process, but it’s okay. Take your time and be kind to yourself. Eventually, you’ll get everything unpacked and settled, and your new house will feel like home.
For more information on decluttering and cleaning, including access to a free PDF of a cleaning routine, please visit the Home & Lifestyle Management section.
In case you were curious; here is a link to my continuously expanding list of decluttering essentials. These are all products I’ve bought either during this project (like vacuum seal bags) or items that I’ve acquired over the past few years.