How to Unpack Your Home After Your Move

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

We have all heard about the best ways to pack up a home, but what about the opposite? As with many things in life, unpacking from a move to Little Rock does have some approaches that work better than others. You can streamline your unpacking portion of the moving process by planning ahead.

Part of a flawless unpacking process involves preparing for it as you're packing. Some tasks to keep in mind as you pack include the following:

• Label boxes. This is not rocket science, but you'll never be more glad about heeding this advice as when you are walking around your new residence looking for the box with the coffee mugs in it. Is it labeled? Yay!
• Pack an overnight bag. A small backpack or duffel bag can hold your dental floss, some pajamas, and anything else you are sure you will absolutely need quickly in the new home.
• Give away items you do not need. The fewer belongings you move, the quicker it will be to unpack. There are definitely some items that you will not want to get rid of, but if there are possessions that you don't need, ponder giving them to someone who can use them.

After the moving company has unloaded the cartons at your new home, how you unpack can also mitigate chaos. Here are several of our favorite tips:

• Assemble your bed first. There's nothing better after a demanding day of moving and unpacking than to crawl into a comfortable bed. If you put together your bed and put on sheets first, you'll be glad later. This goes for every member of the house. If you hired professional movers, they should do this job for you.
• Start with the necessities. Items like a coffee maker, plates and cups and silverware, and your computer equipment are some of the important things you will need as you start life in your new residence. Before delving into the nitty gritty, plan for what you want to have in place today and tomorrow. Begin there.
• Box your boxes. Often, rooms become piled with empty boxes and bubble wrap during the unpacking process. You can't keep under control what you have left if it's obstructed with discarded packing supplies. Keep one box all in one piece and stuff it with other empty cartons that you've broken down. That way, you can view how much you still have to unpack. Your box of boxes can be disposed of or, preferably, recycled.
• Group your shopping trips. Even if you have planned, you will inevitably need to go to the store to get cleaning supplies, a shower curtain, light bulbs, or other new things. Rather than making a trip every time you need something, start a running list of needed materials so that you can purchase everything in one trip. You'll save time and money, and also reduce your anxiety.
• Do not settle on furniture set up too soon. Too many people find themselves locked into room layouts the day they move into a new home. Allow yourself some space—not everything must be carved in stone right away. Old furniture that you adored at your old house may seem out of place in your new abode. That's okay. Grant yourself some time to settle in and you will figure out if you can make it work. This can also be applied to artwork on the walls. It is your home! There is no need to hurry.
• Establish Which Areas Are Most Important. The most common mistake that is made during the unpacking process is a refusal to complete the task a little at a time. Rather, we attempt to unpack the whole house at once. After everything has arrived at the house, take a minute to look around and decide which areas are most critical. The rooms that you are going to be spending the most time in are the rooms that should be unpacked first.
• Set Feasible Goals. In most instances, you are not going to be able to get to all of the unpacking in one sitting. Don't push yourself too hard in the first couple days. There is going to be plenty to do and none of the tasks are going anywhere. Set attainable goals and stick with them. Choose the room that needs to be addressed first and finish it before moving onto the next task.
• Pick a Reward for Reaching the Deadline. For those who are moving with the total family, it might be challenging to have everyone going in the same direction. Each family member is going to have their own agendas and the process of making sure that everyone is pulling in the same direction can be quite exhausting. Coming up with a reward for reaching a predetermined deadline is a wonderful way around this debacle. By selecting an incentive, you are doing your part to keep all members of the family on task. No one will want to go astray. Creating a deadline will also keep you from the annoyances of having to deal with numerous things that have not been put away yet after you have already moved to Little Rock and gotten somewhat settled.

Since 1974, A-1 Freeman Moving Group helped individuals and families to move their homes safely and securely. Contact us today so that we can help you pack, move and unpack in Little Rock.