The move is over. The last box came through the door and you can breathe a sigh of relief. That is until you look around and see all the unpacking you are going to have to do.
It may take days, weeks or even months to get completely unpacked and organized. Use these helpful tips to get started on the right track.
Kids and Babies First
Small children can get confused and overwhelmed when moving into a new, unfamiliar place. Setting up their bedrooms and getting out a few familiar items will help them with the transition. Get the crib or bed in place. Set up the dresser and/or changing table. You don’t need to unpack all the boxes at once. However, getting the bed made and bringing out their favorite toys is essential.
Get the Bathroom Ready
If there is one place that everyone in the household needs to visit multiple times a day, it is the bathroom. You need to spend a bit of time getting things set up in there. Unpack toilet paper and toothbrushes first. Then get towels and washcloths into place.
Corral Your Linens
Having a dedicated space to store linens will make your unpacking and organization efforts a bit easier. If you have a dedicated linen closet in your new space, you are already ahead. If you aren’t so lucky, designate one place for your towels and sheets. That way you won’t have to go hunting for them when you want to make the bed or take a shower.
Unpack Your Kitchen
You will need to eat and prepare meals for the family, so unpacking your kitchen needs to be a priority. Start with the essential items like dishes, glasses, and flatware. Get pots and pans into a cabinet near the stove. Put cleaning supplies under the sink. Establish areas for commonly used small appliances like the coffee maker or toaster. Get basic food supplies into the house.
Establish a Landing Area
In the midst of unpacking, life will still move forward. You need a place to keep your important day-to-day items together and relatively organized. The entryway or a mudroom space is ideal for this. Use hooks to store jackets, bookbags, keys and other common items. Have a basket or box just for important mail. Keep shoes organized along the wall or in cubbies.
Tackle One Room at a Time
Once you have the essentials unpacked, it is time to get methodical. Tackle one room at a time. In each room, first get the furniture assembled and into place. Then, start emptying one box at a time. The contents of each box should be put into place before tackling the next box. Before leaving the room, remove all empty boxes and packing materials.
Hire Professionals
If unpacking is still too overwhelming, hire professional movers to do the job for you. They will unpack all of your boxes, put things where you tell them, and even help move furniture into place. When you hire local movers, it will save you time and a lot of hassle.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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