Moving to a new home can create a sense of excitement, nerves, as well as dread at the thought of packing. While some find packing hard work but enjoy unpacking, others relish the excitement of packing but dislike having to unpack once the move is done.
If you’re someone who does not enjoy packing and unpacking when you’re moving, speak to us about our packing service. If you’re eager to do it yourself and learn how to start unpacking after moving house, keep reading and learn how to improve your unpacking process.
Before You Move In
Before your move, whether you’ve hired professional movers or are doing it yourself, take time to clean your new home a few days in advance. While the previous occupants may have cleaned the place, we still recommend giving it a once-over. This includes vacuuming and mopping the floors and wiping down countertops and cabinets.
Completing the cleaning prior can save you considerable work when your belongings arrive. The last thing you’d want is to have to vacuum while bulky furniture is being moved around or in your way.
It’s also a great time to consider any renovations you have been planning, but try to keep it simple. For example, you may want to paint a wall or install some shelves, which will be easier to do if there are no boxes or furniture blocking your way.
Tips for Unpacking After Moving House
Unpacking after moving can seem daunting, but with some planning and organisation, it can be a hassle-free experience. Here are some key tips to improve your unpacking process and adjust to your new home comfortably.
Unpack With a System
Rather than opening boxes randomly, it’s best to identify what you’re unpacking. If you created an inventory list, now is the time to use it. Ideally, your packing process should have involved sorting items by room or usage, so be sure to use your inventory list or at least look in each box before unloading them.
Make sure you read our blog on how to pack fragile items to make sure that when you’re unpacking, none of your valuables are broken!
Put Boxes in the Appropriate Room
Rather than stacking the boxes up as you walk in the front door, move the boxes to the correct rooms or areas to be unpacked. Assuming you’ve labelled the boxes, you’ll avoid putting toiletries in the kitchen or bakeware in the bathroom.
Another useful method is to use a spare room, such as a guest bedroom or a dining room, to store boxes until you’re ready to organise those areas. If you’re moving into a studio apartment, don’t fret, just choose a corner as a “staging area” for boxes and proceed from there.
Start With the Necessities
Next, prioritise unpacking the essentials boxes. They should be among the first boxes you unpack, whether they were loaded onto the truck or in your car. These boxes contain the items necessary to keep your household running in the short term.
If you didn’t label any boxes for the essentials, quickly scan them to locate the ones with items you need to get by for a couple of nights. We recommend having an essentials pack including the following:
- basic toiletries,
- medications,
- books,
- critical documents,
- phone & computer chargers,
- and basic food preparation items.
Get the Kitchen Done First
Now, focus on unpacking the kitchen items and putting them in their proper places. If you’ve labelled the boxes, it should be relatively simple to locate what you need. If you have time, consider lining the kitchen cupboards and cabinets first. If you’re pressed for time, unpack the essentials only, such as pots and pans. Ensure that the major appliances are connected and any small appliances that can make your life easier are plugged in, such as the coffee pot and toaster.
You may return to the kitchen later to concentrate on organising it once the rest of the house has been unpacked.
Move on to the Bathrooms
When moving into a new home, bathroom fixtures are typically functional, but to make it feel like home, unpacking towels, toiletries, and other bathroom items is crucial. Begin by unpacking the most essential items such as;
- medications,
- body care products,
- shower curtains,
- and towels.
While you may start with the basics, it’s important to finish unpacking bathroom items as soon as possible.
Bedrooms Next
Once you’ve finished with the kitchen, assemble your beds and unpack the bed linens for each bedroom. If you’ve packed a single set of linens for each bed, setting up your beds for the first night should be a breeze.
To make unpacking more efficient and save time in the long run, plan the furniture layout and closet organisation before unpacking boxes. Consider installing shelving and closet organisation systems to streamline the process.
Assemble and Arrange the Furniture
Having a floor plan for your new home can be helpful when arranging your furniture. For the bedroom, living room, and dining room furniture, make a systematic plan so you only arrange the layout once. Avoid assembling large items that may need to be disassembled and moved until you know where everything will be placed.
Deal With Utility Areas Last
Finally, unpack the garage, basement, and other utility rooms, but organise the space first before you start unpacking. Keep in mind that most items in the garage aren’t essential, so unpack only the tools and materials you need to keep your home functional. This includes installing utility shelving units and storage containers.
Patio, deck, or landscape items can be unpacked last and set up whenever you have time and have finished unpacking elsewhere. If you’re moving in the summer, setting up your barbeque early can be a good idea so you can cook in case your kitchen isn’t able to be used.
Sort Your Closets and Excess Items
At this point, you should have finished most of the unpacking, with only decor and some extra items remaining. Now, shift your focus to unpacking and sorting your closets. Start with the linen closet, spare storage, and bulk items.
If you have any extra towels, spare toiletries, or clothing that has no other place to go, linen closets are your friend.
Declutter Once More
When unpacking, remember the golden rule: everything should have a place. As you take each item out of the box, plan where they should go in your new home and put it there right away. If you’re unsure about where to put something, put it back in the box.
After around 2 weeks once you have settled, we recommend re-evaluating any items that are still in boxes. Consider the following;
- Do I actually need them?
- Do they have a place in my new home?
- Have I missed or looked for this item?
If the answer is no to all of the above, it’s time to accept that you may not need these items. Consider donating or just discarding any of these items and don’t let them clutter your home.
Time to Decorate
Decorating is the final step, although it’s optional and can be done later. According to some experts, it’s better to wait at least a month before decorating, to get a better sense of your new home. However, if you’re eager to get started, there’s no better time than on move-in day to add your personal touch and make your new house feel like home.
Did You Know Fox Removals Offer a Packing Service?
If you want to avoid the hard work of packing up your entire household and unpacking when you arrive, Fox Removals can help.
Check out our packing service, or you can contact us today for a FREE quote.