How to unpack after moving

How to pack up your old house

You probably want to get settled in as quickly as possible, but taking the time to thoughtfully pack up your old place is crucial to making the unpacking process more efficient. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Label boxes and be specific

A black Sharpie is your best friend while packing, but it’s a good idea to go beyond simply writing “bedroom” or “kitchen.” The more information, the better — is it silverware, dish towels, a blender or your grandmother’s silver tea set?

Put a star on all boxes with essential items you’ll need right away. For example, you may have several boxes for your kitchen, but your “essentials box” may include some utensils, plates and a coffee machine. Other essentials you’ll want on the first day include toiletries, bedding and basic tools to assemble furniture.

You might also want to number each box if you’re using an inventory system. Most professional movers will provide a blank inventory list to make sure you’ve accounted for everything.

2. Use color for easy identification

Buy inexpensive colored stickers from the dollar store and color-code each room (e.g., red dot for bathroom, green dot for kitchen, etc.). This makes it easier for you and your movers to identify where things should go at a glance. It’s also easier to remove and change a sticker instead of crossing off and rewriting words.

3. Load in the opposite order you want to unpack

If you’re renting a van, load the least-used rooms first (think basements, closets and attics) and the most-used rooms last so they’ll be the first to come out when you get to your new home.

» MORE: Moving checklist

How to unpack and organize after moving

Once you’ve accomplished the task of getting your belongings to your new home, it’s time to unpack.

1. Start with a clean space

Hopefully your new house is move-in ready, but if not, it’s worth doing a thorough cleaning before unpacking your things. The best and easiest time to clean is when your space is empty and the larger items haven’t been put into place yet.

2. Unpack your “essentials” boxes first

Your starred boxes should be unloaded and unpacked first to ensure you can comfortably get through the next couple of days. This should give you access to tools, toiletries, bedding and basic kitchen items. Moving is hard work, and you’ll be exhausted at the end of each day — you’ll appreciate having your toothbrush on hand and a freshly-made bed to fall into.

3. Tackle the big stuff

Deal with big items like furniture right away since these are easier to move when there’s nothing else in the room. Setting up items like beds, area rugs and couches gives you a better sense of your space and how the rest of your stuff will fit around them. Plus, it gives you a place to rest.

For this step, consider buying some storage solutions, like bins, shelves and dressers, so you have a place to put your things as you unpack.

4. The big three: kitchen, bedroom and bathroom

The three most important rooms in your home — and the ones you’ll need to use the day of the move — are the kitchen, the bedroom and the bathroom. These should take priority over everything else.

Try to get one room set up completely before moving on to the next to keep from feeling overwhelmed. Using your color system, you can then stack all the other boxes in the corner of the room they belong to.

Olivia Parks, owner of Professional Organizer New Orleans, told us she gives this practical advice to all her clients: “I always recommend tackling the kitchen first,” said Parks. “It's usually the toughest, but it makes the whole space feel more like home once it's done. Plus, you can make coffee or meals while dealing with the rest of the house.”

5. Double-check your trash

According to Parks, you can easily lose smaller items in your packing material if you’re not careful: “You'd be surprised how many items get lost in the sea of boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper," stated Parks. “A system for discarding materials can help ensure you've emptied everything before getting rid of it.”

Shake out all your packaging completely, and keep a box cutter in your back pocket to flatten boxes as you unpack them. Consider using an unused room to throw all your packing material into so it’s out of your most-used spaces.

» MORE: Moving tips

Other tips for unpacking

Some other practical tips for unpacking — and staying organized — after a move include:

• Use the “touch it once” rule. It’s tempting to set aside items as you unpack to take care of them later, but this just makes more work for you in the long run. Whenever possible, find a home for your things right away. Remember, time is money and the longer it takes you to unpack, the higher your “cost” of moving.
• Use gallon Ziploc bags for smaller items like cords, remotes and hardware, then put these in boxes with like items.
• Keep all your important documents together and safe. If possible, you should personally transport these to your new home rather than sending them in a moving truck.
• Put some music on to keep your spirits up and encourage you to keep at it.

» MORE: How to pack a moving truck