6 Tips for Unpacking After a Move

If there’s one thing that is just as important as packing well, it’s unpacking well.

This subject often goes unmentioned in the moving world since many people believe that once their boxes are delivered, the hard work is over. Often, it has just begun.

Make sure to set aside time after the move is complete to unpack right away, rather than dragging it out for months, living with boxes and not knowing where your favorite pair of slippers is hiding.

Here are some tips for how to have the most successful unpacking process as possible:

1. Label during packing

Unpacking will be so much easier if you know what room all your boxes came from and have at least a general idea of what is in them. That way you won’t be wasting time and strength carrying kitchen supplies from the bedroom to the kitchen.

2. Set aside specific unpacking time

Try to move at a time when you can take at least the next day or two to settle into your home, unpack, and organize.

3. Have friends and family help

Instead of asking friends and family to help you move, try asking them to help you unpack!  Putting away dishes, or shelving books isn’t as difficult as moving boxes, and can help the process go much faster.

4. Beware of your back

Nothing will make unpacking more unpleasant than a hurt back. Instead of bending down to lift items out of boxes, try to put the boxes on a counter-height surface that will eliminate constant bending and potentially help save your back.

5. Continually cleanup used packing supplies

The house will feel much more put together and much less cluttered if you take a load of used supplies out to the garbage every hour or two. It will also give you the motivation you need to keep unpacking as you see progress occur, rather than stare unhappily at empty boxes and crumpled newspaper.

6. Don’t be afraid to throw things away

Just because you think you’ve already gone through and purged your belongings before packing doesn’t mean you can’t do it again. When you’re about to put something away in a cabinet and you find yourself thinking you can’t remember why you even bothered to bring it to your new home, put it in a giveaway pile.

Unpacking doesn’t have to be a stressful process. Just follow these tips and you’ll be surprised at how fast your new house starts to feel like a home.