In case you think that the major hassle of moving is over once you have reached your destination with bag and baggage, think again. Once you have packed and put your things on to the moving truck, you have just accomplished 50% of the job and the balance needs to be done equally professionally, once you reach your new home. If you have done your packing in a neat and accomplished manner, unloading and unpacking should happen with least stress. Here are some tips on unpacking which can make your setting up a new home better and smoother:
If you have pets and small children in the house, it is better to keep them away for sometime, till you finish opening up the boxes and cartons. In case they are bigger with some sense of responsibility, you could also engage them to move their own goods to their rooms. This way they feel more belonged and happy to participate in the entire process of moving. Otherwise, keep them away to let you unpack in peace.The first thing to remember while unpacking is to unpack the heavier items first, so that you could put them up in their relevant places in the house. Also, remember not to let the empty boxes litter your home. Either squash them or flatten them out to stack up neatly. Throw away the fillers including any wrapping paper, stuffing etc.Before you start to unpack, think of the “most immediate” items that you need. This could be disposable plates and napkins etc., since your first meal may not be possible with home cooking, as the kitchen would take some time to set up.
The home needs some items more urgently than others. Items like refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine etc., should be taken out of their packing and set up. Hook them one by one and let the household start to move.
One of the first rooms which need to be unpacked first is the kitchen. If the kitchen and pantry items have been packed and demarcated as such, then identifying and unpacking them should not be a problem.
Usually it takes 5 to 7 boxes per room. Your next job is to identify the boxes according to the rooms and then shift the boxes to that room. Unpacking takes less time this way.
To prevent the family members to get over-exhausted, do take a break once in a while to revive yourself.
The unpacking exercise gives you yet another opportunity to throw things that you do not need or would not need in the new house. If you want your home to remain clutter-free, you need to get going from the first day, as soon as you start unpacking.
The ideal of unpacking is that you start with the kitchen, and then finish the bathrooms, moving on to the bedrooms. After the bedrooms move on to the living room. To prevent arranging and re-arranging your furniture, draw up a mental sketch of where you want to put which furniture. Then start to work according to plan.
The last assignment left for you in this unpacking program, is to cross-check your inventory with the original list of items that you prepared while packing. This tallying would tell you if there is any item or box that is missing. This procedure also enables you to check for any damage sustained during transit. Make a list of such items and then prepare to file claims from insurance.
Hopefully the unpacking tips would complete your moving in the most professional manner. Who knows, you might work as a consultant for packing and unpacking for your friends next time?
