If you are planning a move, getting there is only half the battle.
The boxes have been unloaded, furniture is neatly in place, and now it’s time to get settled. The move is really just the beginning. Now it’s time to set about getting organized and situated to actually live in your new home. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you open the boxes and unload.
Day 1
Start with what you really need. This does not mean what you THINK you need but what you ABSOLUTELY have to have to function for those critical first twenty four hours. In the bathroom, you should focus on toiletries, towels, soaps, dental care, and toilet paper first. After that, you can get the make-up and shaving supplies ready.
Moving along to the kitchen. Take out might be a good option for the first night. Once you are well fed and energized, you can set out paper plates and cups to use until you are ready to dig in and unpack the heavy stuff.
Before all of the heavy unpacking, make sure the bed is made. This will be handy at the end of a long moving day. If you have work scheduled for the day after, find a few hangers and have your clothes ready to go – it’ll make the morning much easier.
After you’ve gotten settled enough to survive the first night, get some sleep. The task of finishing the move can wait until you are rested.
Day 2
Now, back to the kitchen. This is the heart of the home and deserves a few minutes of planning before haphazardly tossing pots and pans into cabinets. If you can, buy shelf liners before you start stacking dishes and install them while the kitchen is still bare. Once it’s all clean and ready, determine the most efficient flow place kitchenware accordingly.
If you felt a little “off“ your first night in the new bedroom, chances are that some of the uneasiness was not having everything in its place. Night number two should feel a little more like home if you take the time to arrange things the way you want them. This is the time to sort socks and hang shirts and pants just so. If you folded your clothes before storing, unpacking will be much easier. As for closet-bound clothing, we’ve found that wardrobe boxes are the way to go. These allow for exceptionally easy transport.
Your living space is no doubt starting to feel a little neglected by the end of day two. For sanity’s sake, we suggest moving unpacked boxes that don’t belong in a room to the garage. Make final placement adjustments on large pieces and hang pictures. This is also a good time to lay rugs, fill bookcases, and arrange movies and video game systems. If you didn’t wipe down surfaces before the move, do that before leaving a trail of knick-knacks in the dust.
Day 3
Yes, the other rooms still have to get unpacked. But if you have a guest room, get that in order. By day three, you might be ready to call for help anyway – and they’ll need a place to sleep!
Finally, don’t fret if your belongings don’t quite fit into your new space. Stay focus on the positive: you did it; you moved. After a few weeks, you will begin to feel more at home and really begin to make the new digs your very own.
