There’s no getting around it; unpacking after a move is a pain. But with these seven hacks, you can make the process a little easier. These tips will help you get settled in quickly, from using labels to organizing your boxes. So don’t dread unloading your moving truck – follow these tips and make the process as easy as possible.
1- Unpack by Category
When you unpack, organize your boxes by category as you do so. That way, it will be much easier to find those “hard-to-locate” items later on, such as cleaning supplies or bed linens. This will also help you get rid of the boxes themselves once you’re finished unpacking because you’ll know exactly what’s inside them.
2- Have the Packing List Ready
Before you start unpacking anything, have the packing list ready, along with a pen, so you can check off each box as it’s emptied. This will help ensure that nothing gets left behind and makes it much easier to keep an inventory of what’s inside all those boxes.
3- Clean As You Go
This is especially helpful when unpacking kitchen items. Remove everything from your moving boxes and put all dishes, silverware, pots & pans, etc., away as you unpack them, so there’s no mess on the kitchen countertops. This also helps prevent them from being damaged.
4- Organize Boxes by Room
Divide the boxes according to the rooms they are destined for, so you can unload them near their final destination. This will help save time and ensure that everything makes it to the right spot. Boxes will get heavy, making it much easier to retrieve them from the moving truck.
You can get boxes from a moving company or hire them to do the unpacking for you. Once you’ve gone through all your boxes, you’ll see that there is a pattern to how they were packed. Unpacking in order means unpacking a box before moving on to the next one because that’s how they were packed in the first place.
5- Label Big & Small Items
Put a big, bold label on the most significant and heaviest items for easy identification. That way, you won’t have to spend your time wondering which box those sheets came in or where that TV is meant to go. This is especially helpful when using a storage facility because it makes it easier to unload and later load into their storage space.
6- Keep Specifics in Mind
While you’re packing, try to think about unpacking. Boxes of books are heavy and bulky. Put heavy items on the bottom so boxes won’t break when lifted or stacked. Also, if possible, pack your most frequently used items near the front. Finally, use wardrobe boxes for everything clothing-related – it will make getting dressed much easier when you arrive in your new home.
7- Have a Designated Unpacking Zone
When you’ve finished moving, make sure there is a designated area for all your boxes. This way, they won’t be cluttering up the floor and tripping anyone who walks into your home. You could even keep them closed until their contents are needed. Because as any mover knows, unpacking those moving boxes isn’t any fun, but it’s a necessary evil.
That’s it! These tips will help make the unpacking process much easier, so they’re worth a try. And with just a little bit of effort, you’ll have your new place up and running in no time.