You've arrived in your new home complete with all your belongings and a mountain of boxes, which can definitely seem daunting to a first time mover -- or anyone for that matter -- and you find yourself wondering, "What should I unpack first?"
The answer to that simultaneously complicated yet simplistic query is below.
Your first night survival kit
First things first, unpack your first night survival kit, which holds all the essentials for your first evening and the following days in your new home.
Your survival kit should have supplies for:
- Bathrooms - toilet paper, hand soap, cleaning supplies, shower curtains, towels, bathmats, medication, a first aid kit, garbage bags and toiletries
- The kitchen - more garbage bags, disposable plates, cups and utensils
- Bedrooms - sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases, electronic chargers and a few changes of clothing
- Your children - toys, entertainment, snacks, a few changes of clothes
- Your pets - toys, treats, food, food and water dishes
TIP: Pack your overnight items in clear plastic containers that are clearly labelled so you can easily find them during your move. If possible, pack these last or pack your overnight things separately from the rest of your belongings.
The most used items
It goes without saying, but when it comes time to unpack, find places for the items you are going to need the most. Because you obviously use them the most.
- Groceries (especially perishables) that you brought with you
- Pots, pans, plates and cooking supplies like spices and utensils
- Your clothing and any accompanying accessories
- Anything you may require for work or school purposes
- Electronics, home office supplies, etc.
The important rooms
Just like you unpacked the most important belongings first, also unpack the most important rooms right away.
These important rooms include areas like:
- Your bathroom(s) - for obvious reasons
- All bedrooms - in order to get a good night's sleep and de-stress after a long day of unpacking
- The kitchen - so your family doesn't have to eat out every single night for a week
Your kids' rooms
Have a young child or multiple children? Unpack or help unpack their room(s) first to limit the amount of stress moving may have brought upon them. Surrounding them with familiar stimuli like their old belongings will also help them get settled into their new home.
Allow older children to unpack their own rooms and enlist them to help you unpack communal living spaces when you're ready to tackle them. We call this forced family bonding.
A place for your pets
As with younger children, pets that you moved will most likely be stressed and confused due to the events of the day. Help them adjust to this new environment by setting an area aside for them away from the hustle and bustle of moving surrounded by familiar items and their favourite toys and treats.
Cold-blooded and small pets must especially be put off in a quiet area away from stressful elements.
Don't forget to stay organized
Most importantly, as you unpack your home, make sure you stay organized. It'll make the unpacking go faster and keep your stress levels down.
Tips for staying organized while you unpack are as follows:
- Place furniture before you begin unpacking your belongings
- Go from room to room unpacking your things, starting with the most important rooms (see above) first
- Unpack the most used items first until the room is completely unpacked
- This will be easiest if you properly labelled your boxes with a breakdown of what is inside
- Move all empty packing materials somewhere out of the way so you can recycle them properly later
Stick to these guidelines and before you know it your new home or apartment will be completely unpacked. Easy as that. |