The Chaos of Unpacking – It’s Avoidable!

Moving can be a traumatic experience…yes, it’s exciting to move into a new place, but the packing and physical moving are always  followed by unpacking, exhaustion and chaos!

• Where did I put this?
• What box is that packed in? (It’s probably in the box that you put all the forgotten items, but where is that box?)
• Oh, no! This got broken!
• Where should these go?
• Where’s the dog?!?

There are things you can do to manage and avoid the chaos that comes with unpacking after a move…just follow these tips – moving in will go much smoother!

Organized unpacking starts with organized packing…

Some of these ideas seem so simple, but not everyone thinks of them.

As you’re packing, try to keep all the items from each room together, don’t mix toothbrushes from the bathroom with oven mitts from the kitchen. Be sure to label all of your boxes with which room its contents belong in and a general idea of what is inside. Also, the boxes that are packed with your everday essentials in them, should also be labelled as such, maybe even just put a star on the top. (It may take a couple of extra minutes, but it is well worth it!)

So, the moving truck or the neighbor’s pickup truck has just pulled into the driveway, now’s when the “fun” begins…

Make unpacking a more orderly process:

Take a few minutes before the unloading begins and give some clear instructions to those unloading the trucks. (They will thank you for being so organized.)

• Because you were organized when you packed, you can let them know that each box is labeled for the room it belongs in, and they can deliver it there.
• Ask them to stack the boxes somewhere away from the center of the room (in one area and out of the traffic areas), there will be room for the furniture.

The second most important thing you can do to keep your unpacking going smoothly is to stay focused. Don’t jump from room to room, unpacking a little here and a little there…that will only leave you confused, frustrated and disorganized…unpack one room at a time.

• Once the unloading is done, the first things you will want to unpack are your living essentials…you’ll be able to find them because you labelled them as such.
• Next get the beds set up, including sheets, pillows and blankets…you’ll need something to fall into when this day is done.
• The next room to tackle is the kitchen…probably the most important room in the house. You may choose to totally organize it in a day or so when you have had a chance to plan it out in your mind, but until then, you will need to locate and unpack food, glasses, dishes, eating utensils and basic pots and pans. and dishwashing supplies.
• Next you can unpack the bedrooms and the bathrooms…now you can be comfortable enough in your new home to live and finish setting up the rest of it.
• If you work from home, it’s probably very important to set up your office or workspace right after the bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Finally in the list, but not in importance…as you empty a box, don’t just throw it in the middle of the room or in the garage…deal with it then: break the boxes down, they take up less room and can be stacked, and dispose of or fold the packing materials; they can be stored for future use or to give to someone else you know is packing up their home. It’s so much easier, less chaotic, and fewer things will be lost or broken if packing supplies are  out of the way.

The very best thing you can do to avoid chaos when unpacking in your new home is to hire a move manager. Smooth Transitions can organize your move from start to finish. We can start with a floor plan in your new home, and end by getting you unpacked, making the beds, organizing the kitchen, bathroom, and hanging pictures on the wall….your chaos is eliminated!

We are Certified Senior Move Managers recognized by our National Association of Senior Move Managers, NASSM! We are committed to serving our seniors with a high standard of ethics, best business practices and continuing education to help make whatever transition they are going through a Smooth Transition.

Contact us to learn how we can help you.