The Moving Planner Blog

Everywhere you look, there are a multitude of tips telling you how to pack and plan for your moving day. Why aren’t there just as many tips for unpacking? Isn’t this a little like giving someone a list of ingredients, and not telling them the directions to the recipe? No wonder so many people turn into a bundle of nerves the minute the movers leave; they haven’t prepared for the next step.

Unloading

If you can sit back and direct your movers where to place everything, this is ideal. If you were able to use colored stickers on the boxes when you packed, then you will know at a glance where everything goes. If you are moving into a smaller place, have all the boxes put in a spare room or off to one side, so you are not tripping through an obstacle course. This will also allow the movers to unload furniture, and put it right where it goes, rather than them having to move  boxes out-of-the-way, which takes more time.

Unpack Essentials

You may fully intend on staying up all night to unpack, but moving takes a lot out of you. When 10 pm rolls around and you are exhausted, you are not going to want to keep digging to find the shower curtain or a blanket for the bed.

Unpack the items and the rooms that will make you more comfortable and allow you to function close to how you normally would. Your DVD collection or sculptures and other pieces of art are not necessities. Make sure that you have your bedroom ready for sleeping and everything in your bathroom unpacked that you absolutely need. Ideally you will have one or two boxes with kitchen essentials like your coffeemaker, paper plates, etc. This way, you can take your time with the rest of the kitchen, and make sure that it gets organized and put away the way that you want it.

Electronics and Appliances

If you moved into an apartment, then chances are good that all the appliances are already hooked up. Otherwise, these will likely be a priority. You really don’t need to set up your surround sound or gaming consoles. However, you may want to plug in your alarm clock and the television, if you want to relax with a movie before you go to sleep. If you have an iPod docking station, try to pack this in a box you know you will unpack first, so you will have some music to listen to.

As You Go

Rather than unpack boxes and toss them aside so you create a box monster, take a few seconds and break them down. Use one big box to hold all the smaller boxes. You will also want to put any newspaper or other packing supplies that are recyclable in a box or bag. Try to avoid using packing peanuts as they create a bigger mess. However, if you do, choose the green ones that are made from recycled materials, and then make a point to recycle them again. Some shipping companies will even take used peanuts off your hands for you too.