People don’t really give it much thought until they’ve already moved. Maybe that’s the reason for a lack of information and guidance about unpacking. I estimate that for every six articles about packing and moving, there’s probably one about unpacking. And like buying a home and moving; there should be more thought to unpacking because it’s the first activity that makes your new digs feel like home.
Unlike packing for a move and decluttering, unpacking seems to get left out of the home buying process. Many believe that you instinctively come home after settlement (or signing a lease) and just unload all the boxes and just begin living as you did in your previous home. But the reality is that unpacking can be just as, if not more, overwhelming than the move itself. And this applies to whether you’ve hired a moving company or concierge service to unpack for you, or you do it on your own.
That’s correct, you can hire someone to unpack for you. However, just like packing house, it can get expensive. Of course, charges vary. However, if this is the way you decide to go – get multiple estimates from insured and bonded companies. Once the service unpacks for you, consider taking the time to review where they stored items. This will save you time later when you need to find something in a hurry.
Unpacking a house on your own may seem overwhelming (even with the help of friends), but don’t give in to procrastination. Extreme procrastination can lead you to living out of moving boxes for a prolonged period. Instead, make a simple unpacking plan and prioritize. Although the chore of unpacking seems to be the physical aspect of unloading boxes; there can be an emotional drain of deciding where to best place and store items.
When packing your previous home, you most likely packed each room and labeled each moving box for their destination room. And although unpacking each room in sequence may seem logical, you most likely won’t get it all done in one day. The result can leave you frantically digging through boxes searching for items you use on a daily basis.
To avoid this trap, consider unpacking essential items first. Having the essentials put away first will help you feel as if there is continuity. You will find it easier going about your daily routine without disruption – even if you don’t unpack all the boxes. Of course, it helps if you’ve marked the boxes containing essential items when you packed. However, if you didn’t, that’s ok too.
If you’ve unpacked the essentials first, you’ll notice that you’ve become aware of the available storage spaces. As a result, you’ve set the tone for each room, and the entire unpacking process becomes easier. You’ll be able to go through your room priority list quicker and get through storing items where they belong with less deliberation and angst.
When unpacking essentials, focus on the kitchen and bathrooms first. Chances are that you will need to use these rooms throughout the day as you unpack. Then go through your priority list of rooms, unpacking the essentials.
Once the essentials are put away, you may feel at ease and in control. You can then unpack rooms in sequence or as prioritized. You may also decide to go through the remaining boxes at a leisurely pace.
Copyright © Dan Krell
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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.