What to Unpack First After Moving

The day has finally arrived when you have officially moved into your new home. Now, you find yourself surrounded by piles and piles of boxes. After making sure the rooms in your new home are cleaned and ready for you to put your belongings away, what do you unpack first? Here’s a guide to knowing where to start.

Preparation Is Key

Planning for what to unpack first in your new home begins back in your old home when you are packing to move. As you pack your boxes, make sure to keep an inventory of what is packed in each box. This allows you to quickly find items that you might suddenly realize you need. It’s a good idea to pack a box of essentials you will need to get through the first day of your move, which will usually be the first box you will open. This box should include but not be limited to:

• Toiletries
• Toilet paper
• Towels
• Cleaning supplies
• Basic kitchenware
• Bedding
• Change of clothing

You will also want to make sure that you have a basic tool kit available that includes:

• Flat-head and Phillips-head screwdrivers
• Allen wrenches
• Hammer/rubber mallet
• Pliers/wrench
• Scissors
• Box cutters

Making a Smooth Transition

If you have young kids, you should unpack their favorite items, such as blankets, toys, books, or games to keep them occupied. But it isn’t just about keeping them busy; it helps make them more comfortable and reassure them that their belongings have followed them to your new home.

Don’t forget about your pets either. They are likely to be a little confused with the move, too. You will want to tend their needs right after arriving at your new home. Unpack their food, water and food dishes, favorite toys, and bedding to help them feel more secure while adjusting to your new home.

Creating a Sanctuary Room

It’s a good idea to set up a room where you can take a break from packing and relax. Choose a room that preferably has already been painted or doesn’t require any renovations. Set this room up with your favorite chair or couch, television, and some personal items. This gives you and your family a sanctuary area to retreat to when you need a timeout from unpacking.

Tackling the Most Important Rooms

After you have taken care of the immediate needs of your children and/or pets, this is when the real job of unpacking begins. Your main objective on the day of your move is to focus on three areas in your home. Other areas can usually wait.

• Kitchen: The kitchen is the room in your home that is used the most. You will want to be able to get your kitchen up and running as quickly as possible. Unpack and put away food and the items you will need to cook and eat your food.
• Bathroom: You’ll want to at least unpack the necessities needed for your bathroom, so it’s ready for use. Being able to easily refresh with a shower and get cleaned will help reduce some of your stress after a day of unpacking.
• Bedrooms: You and your family are going to need somewhere to sleep after a long day of unpacking. Set up your kids’ bedrooms with their beds first. Unpack their bedding and put up their blinds or curtains for privacy. After that’s done, repeat in your own room.

How to Organize Your Closets and Kitchen After Moving

Closet Organization

Begin With Clothes for the Current Season

Begin by unpacking clothes you plan on using in the current season. Other clothes meant for different seasons will be considered later.

Sort As You Remove

As compared to using a large box and throwing everything inside, take the time to either hang or fold the clothes; this boosts for a quicker and cleaner closet should the clothes be put back at the right time that will take time to do later on.

Group by Functions

Group items together according to the kind of clothes which they will wear such as work clothes, casual, formal, etc. This will help when needing to look for certain items, not to have to wade through a lot of clothes from the closet.

Kitchen Organization

Think How You Are Gonna Spread Everything Out

Let it be dishes, cookware, utensils, etc; every item of the kitchen has its specific space. this results in the space looking neat and avoids a lot of rearranging and cluttering in the kitchen.

Unbox Only The Necessary Items First

Unbox only the dishes which are for everyday use, pots and pans should also be focused on as they will be used almost on a daily basis. These should be placed at a spot which is easy and quick to access.

Maintaining a Cupboard and Keeping Food Supplies

Organize your dry goods by putting them in cabinets or a pantry, as appropriate. Items such as pasta and cereals may be placed in plastic containers in order to make them clean and visible.

Throw and store infrequently used items

Use cabinets to keep kitchen gadgets and equipment. If keeping these items in cabinets is not possible use an attic or a basement. Be sure to have a record as to where these items are placed.

These uncomplicated but arranged steps will assist you in efficiently and more pleasantly adjusting in your new home.

How Can You Prepare Your New Home Before Moving In?

Moving into a new home is always an exciting adventure. However, before you bring in your furniture and boxes, it’s important to prepare the space to make your transition as smooth as possible. Here’s how you can get started:

Thorough Cleaning

Before your belongings arrive, dedicate time to give your new home a deep clean. Even if the previous owner or landlord had it cleaned, a personal touch ensures every area meets your standards. Focus on:

• Floors: Sweep, vacuum, and mop to clear away dirt and dust.
• Surfaces: Wipe down countertops, cabinets, and any built-in appliances.
• Bathrooms: Sanitize all bathroom fixtures and scrub tiles to freshen up the space.

Temporary Storage Solutions

If you’re facing a tight schedule with moving, or need extra space, consider renting a temporary storage unit or portable storage container. This solution allows you to keep your belongings secure and gives you the necessary room to work inside your home without tripping over boxes and furniture.

Pre Move Renovations

Now is the perfect time to tackle some basic renovations. Without the hassle of moving furniture around, projects like painting walls, installing shelves, or updating light fixtures can be completed more efficiently. Ensure these tasks are manageable and prioritize essential updates to avoid overwhelming yourself.

Utilities and Essentials Check

Make sure that all utilities are set up before your move-in day. Check if the water, electricity, and internet services are activated. It’s also wise to locate essential features like the circuit breaker and water valves in advance.

By following these steps, you can turn your new house into a welcoming home, ready for your cherished possessions. This preparation will streamline your move, allowing you to settle in comfortably and quickly.

Considerations for Storing Items During the Unpacking Process

When you embark on the task of unpacking after a move, it’s crucial to have a strategy for storing items that you’re not immediately using. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

Identify Essential Locations

Before deep diving into unpacking, take some time to familiarize yourself with essential locations in your new neighborhood. Locate nearby amenities like the post office, grocery store, your children’s schools, and other pivotal landmarks. This activity can also help clear your mind and avoid feeling overwhelmed during the unpacking process.

Prioritize Important Essentials

When sorting through unpacked boxes, focus first on the essentials that you’ll need for daily usage. Consider setting up your living spaces and kitchen areas first to establish a sense of normalcy.

Designate a Holding Area

Create a specific area or box for items that don’t have an obvious place yet. By keeping these items contained, you avoid clutter and can decide later whether these should be stored, sold, or donated.

• Use clear bins for visibility of contents.
• Label each container to ensure easy access later.
• Stack boxes neatly to maximize space.

Communicate with Friends and Family

Another important step during your transition is informing friends and family of your move and new address. You might receive help or suggestions for organizing that can save you time and effort.

Introduce Yourself to Neighbors

Engaging with your new community is beneficial. You might discover reliable local storage facilities or even learn about neighborhood garage sales to rehome or purchase second-hand furniture and household items.

Deciding on Disposition

Lastly, set aside time to decide on the final disposition of the items in your holding area. Ask yourself:

1. Is it worth keeping?
2. Can it be sold online or at a local market?
3. Does it need to be placed in offsite storage?

Tackle these considerations systematically to ensure your new space is both efficient and clutter-free. By being organized and intentional about your storage decisions during unpacking, you create a more enjoyable living environment.

Why You Should Hold Off on Setting Up Your TV After Moving

Unpacking can be a very taxing process and there is a difficult temptation to just put the TVs installation at once to have some listening while you do other chores, but this might not be the best thing to do. Here’s why:

Disregards Other Responsibilities

Boxes and a long list of tasks can be quite overwhelming, you need to keep your eyes on the goal. A TV tends to easily become an impediment; it becomes a hindrance during the process of packing your newly acquired property.

Provides a Reason to Move Around

Rather than being glued to a screen, going out to see the new place may be exactly what you require. Local cafes, parks, or even that little bookshop down the street can be explored. If it’s a game you want to see bad enough, head to a local sports bar where you may also make friends.

Facilitating Installation

Put off turning on the TV even longer, it affords you the ability to keep looking for an appropriate location for it. Making haste might end with placing an object in the wrong location and dealing with bulky cords later.

Giving up on television setup allows you to transition more into the new place which enables you to decide where each item goes rather than where it should eventually go.

Schedule Packing & Moving Services in Washington DC, MD & Northern VA

Whether you’re moving locally or looking for long distance moving services into a house in the same city, unpacking can be exhausting and frustrating. Thankfully, that’s why we’re here! Depend on Georgetown Moving and Storage Company for all of the packing and moving services you need to or from the DC metro area.

If you’re planning a move, Georgetown Moving Company is ready to help with packing tips and moving tips to make your move less stressful. Contact us for a quote or call (703) 889-8899 today! We offer packing service and well as unpacking boxes done by professional movers. Contact us for moving quote for your unpacking task today!