Now that you’ve got an idea of general unpacking tips, it’s time to dive in and get to work! No matter what your personal unpacking style is, a great place to start is by placing boxes in their designated rooms as you unload your moving truck. This may take a little more time up front, but will save you a lot of time and additional lifting and carrying in the long-term. Once your moving truck is unloaded you can begin unpacking. Here are some suggestions for how to tackle a house full of belongings that’s yet to have a single thing in place!
Unpack the essentials first.
Consider the items that your family will use and need first, and prioritize unpacking these boxes. Your essentials box (or boxes) should contain everything your family needs over the next few days until you get your house in order (e.g. toilet paper, shower curtain, bedding, towels, toothbrushes, toiletries, food, coffee maker, etc.).
Install and check all major appliances.
Consult owner’s manuals regarding the hooking-up of major appliances. Plug them in and/or turn them on to test that they are working. Be sure to plug in your refrigerator and freezer right away if you have any perishable foods that need to be kept cold.
Set up beds.
After a long day of moving, your bed will likely be your best friend. Ensure that beds are ready for everyone in the family by assembling and making them up with fresh linens and fluffed pillows right away. You’ll be so happy you did!
Assemble other essential furniture.
Consider the needs of your family and determine what other pieces of furniture are essential to set up right away. If there is no place to sit and eat, consider assembling the dining room table. If you work from home, your desk might be a top priority. Decide in advance which pieces of furniture are essential for your family to reduce disagreements about where to begin as you unpack.
Prioritize essential rooms.
Similar to prioritizing your essential furniture, consider which rooms are most important for your family to unpack first. For some, it will be the kitchen. If you have children that you need to keep busy during these first few hectic days in your home you may want to start with their playroom. If your goal is to see at least one entire room unpacked and put together as soon as possible, you may want to start with the living room (which typically takes less time).
The most important thing is to consider how your family lives and unpack to meet those needs. Here is an idea for how to proceed:
- Kitchen. Unpack dishes, utensils, pots and pans and basic cooking supplies. This will allow you to prepare meals in your new home right away — an important step toward making your new house feel like home.
- Bathroom(s). Bathrooms are small and can typically be unpacked in very little time.
- Bedrooms. If your children are old enough, let them have a try at unpacking their rooms. Not only will this keep them busy, but they’ll also enjoy making their new space their own.
- Living Room/Family Room. It will feel great to have a space where the entire family can relax and unwind during the hectic first few days of unpacking.
- Home Office. Setting up computers and printers and internet and managing all those cables and wiring can be stressful, so take your time with this space.
- Dining Room. If you have an alternative place to eat, setting up your dining room may not be a priority. Hopefully you aren’t hosting dinner parties any time soon, so save the dining room for later.
- Hang artwork and decorate throughout your home.
- Garage. It can take years to properly organize a garage, so you may want to tackle this space little by little as you live in your new home and assess your family’s needs for this space.
Manage empty boxes.
As you unpack, designate one space for your empty boxes and packing supplies (such as your garage). This will get unnecessary items out of your way and free up space as you continue to unpack. When your unpacking is finished, be sure to list your moving boxes and packing supplies on Craigslist or Freecycle for reuse.
Keep in mind that unpacking takes time, and isn’t necessarily going to be perfect the first time around. Once your home is unpacked, spend the following few weeks and months assessing how your family is living in your new home and make any adjustments to furniture arrangements and items in drawers and cupboards as needed.
Dusty Rogers is the blogger, mother, maker, decorator and drinker of the wine at All Things G&D - a lifestyle blog where home décor, DIY and organization, healthy meals and kid-friendly snacks, party planning and entertaining all happily play together in the sandbox. Dusty lives in Madison, WI with her husband Greg and their daughter Kate, and she spends her days balancing high maintenance tendencies with a desire to keep things simple.
