You’ve packed up all your stuff, hired the best movers in town and had all your boxes placed in your new location. Congratulations on your move!
But you’re not done yet! Now it’s time to unpack all those boxes.
Sadly, this is where most people get stuck and live with the boxes way longer than they should. While unpacking can be just as taxing as packing, if you don’t tackle it right away it can cause undue stress and keep you from feeling comfortable in your new space.
Not to worry – we’re going to give you a step-by-step guide so you can you unpack like a pro and keep your sanity!
Grab our free, downloadable step-by-step guide to unpacking at the bottom of this post to ensure your unpacking process goes smoothly and quickly!
How 2 Unpack
Believe it or not, there’s a technique to emptying all your contents from their temporary storage and it all starts with properly unpacking your boxes.
First Things First. Before you remove a single piece of tape from your boxes, you’ll want to consider doing these things first:
- Have the proper tools handy. While a knife or pair of scissors can do the job, we always recommend box cutters to open boxes. Then use box (flaps) tacos or tape the flaps down to make accessing your items easier.
- Double-check that your box is in the proper location before you open it. If you’re in the kitchen make sure that the box you’re opening is labeled kitchen, dishes, glassware, etc. to avoid having to walk individual items to other rooms!
- Find a flat surface close by to unload your items. Rather than taking each item out individually and putting it away, we suggest placing everything on a flat surface first. A table, a counter or even the floor will work and allow you to sort and see what all you have before assigning everything a new home.
Need more help getting started with unpacking? Check out our videos, Unpacking Tips and How 2 Unpack Like a Pro for more ideas!
One Space at a Time. While it can be tempting to move from room to room and unpack a little at a time from each space we encourage you to stay put!
Why?
Yes, it can be monotonous unpacking box after box of the same thing, but emptying and organizing in one location will give you a sense of completion, which in turn will motivate you to keep going!
The Big Three. No, we’re not talking sports or This Is Us, we’re referring to the three rooms you should unpack first!
As anxious as you may be to set up your TV so you can binge-watch your favorite show on Netflix, the best places to start unpacking are the kitchen, bathrooms, and clothes closets.
Why?
Because these are the spaces you will need to access to right away. If you can get the majority of these 3 rooms’ boxes unpacked and somewhat organized (it doesn’t have to be perfect and you can always change things later) then it will make you feel more at home and allow you to function normally without too much chaos.
Wait to Decorate. Once you’ve moved in, you may be excited to skip right to adding decor to give your space a truly cozy feel. We encourage you to wait to decorate!
Why?
Deciding where to hang a frame or shelf is next to impossible when you have boxes stacked up. Once everything is put away and the furniture is placed in its final location then, and only then, should you consider opening those “decor” and frame boxes. If you have the patience to wait, you’ll be handsomely rewarded with a homey space!
Ask for Help. Moving can be overwhelming and trying to do it alone can be taxing for one person. You might want to consider asking others – like a moving crew, good friends or the pros at Mission 2 Organize – for help.
Why?
Having extra hands can speed up the unpacking process and allow you to get settled sooner. Just make sure that when you ask others to assist you, you supply clear directions on how or where you’d like things placed so you don’t have to go back and undo their work to suit your needs (that only negates their help!).
Whether you’re moving across town, across the state or across the world, these unpacking tips are sure to help you unpack like a pro and keep your sanity. Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy your new space.
Don’t forget to grab our free, downloadable step-by-step guide to unpacking. The only checklist you’ll need to get the job done!
