By the time people have packed up everything they own and shifted it to a new home, it is time to unpack. To avoid spending months or years sorting through boxes, people should ensure that they can devote the proper time and create a practical unpacking strategy. These tips can remove a lot of the stress of moving in.
Design an Unpacking Plan
Everyone has a different approach to packing that might not work for another person. Some people prefer to push through for a few long days, and get it over with. Others may not have the time or physical energy to devote to it, and must plan to unpack over a longer period of time. In either case, it makes sense to be overt about planning, especially when several family members will be expected to help. Scheduling blocks of time for unpacking without too many distractions will help to ensure that the unpacking actually happens according to plan. Confirming that everyone is on the same page will cut down on the confusion when the unpacking commences.
Hire a Babysitter
Children love to pull things out of boxes, but they may pay little attention to where those items are placed. They also need regular care and can hinder parents from getting the work finished. Parents should consider hiring a babysitter to take care of their children for a few unpacking sessions, especially if they will be moving heavy furniture around. Even hiring a mother’s helper to entertain or distract children or pets from the unpacking process can save time and hassle until the unpacking is done.
Start With Essentials
Ideally, everyone who plans to move understands the need to label all boxes very clearly, especially those with essential items. The most important things people will need to unpack most quickly include:
- bedding
- clothing
- basic non-food consumables (e.g. toilet paper)
- personal items for each member of the household
- food
- essential kitchen and cleaning implements
Since unpacking does not always happen as planned, people should try to put all the items they will need for the first few days in boxes plainly labeled as essential.
Focus on Organization
Apart from the most important items people need to minimize chaos in the early days after a move, unpacking for organization is the best way to avoid a lack of direction in the unpacking process. While packing, labeling each box with the appropriate room will help to ensure that the boxes can stay put for unpacking once they have been unloaded. Although it may be tempting to simply take everything out of the boxes and then figure out where they need to go, a more concentrated effort to organize tends to work better. Unpacking one box at a time, and one room at a time, helps to keep the space tidy.
Take a Second Look
Most people end up selling, donating, or throwing away a lot of their belongings before they move, to avoid having to transport things they do not want to keep. As people unpack, this is a good opportunity to give a second thought to anything they thought they really wanted but now are not so sure. Homes that seemed spacious when empty may fill up quickly, and clutter is hardly a good way to start a life in a new home. While many of the boxes are still open and ready to load, people can easily choose to set aside a few things to give away or donate. This last effort may cut down on the things people have to clean or maintain in the new home, and improve their overall satisfaction.
Unpacking may feel like a race to the finish, but steady progress is key. With the right approach to unpacking, people will find greater enjoyment in a new home more quickly.
Anthony Gilbert is the owner of The RealFX Group. Anthony specializes in real estate, real estate marketing, managing the team and achieving set goals.
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