Moving is a long process, and packing up your belongings and having your movers come to load up the moving truck is only half the battle. Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll need to give yourself time to unpack everything and get set up in your new home. Planning for a smooth move ahead of time will mean you can get straight to enjoying your new place with less hassle and more free time.
Planning Your Unpacking Strategy Beforehand
To make the process of unpacking far easier on yourself, you can plan out your strategy ahead of time. Beyond creating less work for you after the move, a well thought-out strategy keeps you organized and on track.
Ideally, your possessions will already be packed by room or by usage. Make sure every box is appropriately labeled when you put items in so you won’t get confused when unpacking or be unable to track down important items you’ll want to use right away.
Strategies for Unpacking
Start With the Essentials
Not everything needs to be unpacked immediately, but there are some possessions you just can’t go without. You should have a box packed with essentials, like toiletries, basic food prep items, and medications. This will likely be the last box you pack up and the first box you unpack in your new home – so even if you don’t get fully unpacked, you’ll still have everything you need!
Make a Floor Plan
Reassembling and moving furniture can be a challenge. You want to get it right the first time when you’re unpacking your furniture so you don’t have to reassemble later. Make sure you know exactly where each piece of furniture will be going in advance, so you won’t have to spend extra time experimenting with different locations. Ensure you put hardware for furniture you have to dismantle into a labelled bag so it’s easy to find and reassemble. You can also get help from your Edmonton movers when it comes to disassembling and reassembling furniture (ask us how!)
Unpack the Kitchen First
The majority of moving experts agree: The first room to prepare should be the kitchen. Organize everything you need for cooking and eating, like pots and pans. The exception to this rule is when you arrive late in the evening to your new home – in that case, you might want to set up your bedroom and bathroom first.
Set an Unpacking Deadline
One of the best ways to discipline yourself is to set a deadline. For example, you might set a two-week deadline for completely unpacking. This works even better if you have a specific reason for the deadline, like a housewarming party. A deadline will give you a much stronger incentive to get the work done.
Get Some Help
Chances are, you won’t be unpacking completely alone. But even with a couple of family members, unpacking can still take up a lot of time. Try recruiting as much help as you can get, whether it’s family or a group of friends. Having others around to help is also a great mood-booster when you’re feeling unmotivated to unpack! Finally, you can hire movers in Edmonton who will make it easy to unpack everything you need by placing your boxes and furniture in the right place.
Make It Fun!
If you’re like most new homeowners or renters, you just want to get straight to enjoying your home. The tedium of unpacking a house’s worth of possessions can feel daunting.
Playing upbeat music over a speaker is a great way to keep you energized while you work. Alternatively, you could listen to a podcast or audiobook on your phone. If you’re working with a group of people, lighten the mood further by ordering pizza or bringing drinks along. Making it a competition also increases the fun, while simultaneously forcing everyone to work harder so they can win.
Tips for Unpacking After Moving
Unpacking can feel overwhelming after the physical and mental effort of moving day. Breaking the process into smaller, manageable tasks can make settling into your new home much easier. Here are a few practical tips to help you stay organized while unpacking:
- Unpack one room at a time to avoid spreading boxes and clutter throughout the entire house.
- Start with essential items such as toiletries, medications, chargers, and basic kitchen supplies.
- Focus on key living spaces first, including the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms.
- Break down empty boxes as you go to keep your new home tidy and manageable.
- Take short breaks to stay energized and prevent burnout during long unpacking sessions.
- Organize items as you unpack instead of placing them temporarily, which saves time later.
Prioritizing essential living spaces allows your home to quickly become functional and comfortable. Once the basics are in place, you can take your time arranging decorative items and organizing the remaining belongings in a way that works best for your routine.
Remember that unpacking is an opportunity to thoughtfully organize your belongings and create a home that feels practical and welcoming.
FAQs
How long should it take me to unpack from moving?
For most households, unpacking usually takes between a few days and two weeks, depending on the size of the home and how much time you can dedicate to the process each day. Larger homes or families with many belongings may take longer to fully settle in.
How long does it take to unpack an apartment?
Unpacking a small apartment can often be completed within a few days if you work consistently. Many people find they can organize the essentials within the first day or two and finish unpacking the remaining items over the following week.
What should I unpack first when moving?
Start with your essentials box, which should include items like toiletries, medications, basic kitchen tools, and chargers. After that, focus on setting up the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom so your home becomes functional right away.
What is the hardest room to pack when moving?
The kitchen is often considered the hardest room to pack because it contains many fragile items, oddly shaped utensils, and small appliances that require careful packing and organization.
What is the 10-10-10 rule for decluttering?
The 10-10-10 rule suggests removing at least ten items from your home each day for ten days, or sorting items into categories such as keep, donate, or discard. This method helps reduce clutter gradually and makes organizing easier before or after a move.
Get Packing Services from Professional Movers
Moving is exciting and challenging. We’re here to help with all of your moving needs, whether you need assistance with packing, storage, or the move itself. With our expert moving services in Edmonton, packing and unpacking will be a breeze. Contact us today to discuss how we can help make your move quick and stress-free.
