How to Unpack Your Home After Your Move

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

We've all heard about the best ways to pack up a house, but what about the flip side? As with many things in life, unpacking from a move to Colorado Springs does have some best practices. You can certainly simplify your unpacking part of the moving process by planning ahead.

Part of a smooth unpacking process involves preparation for it as you're packing. Some things to remember as you pack include the following:

• Label boxes. This is not rocket science, but you will never be more pleased about following this advice as when you are wandering around your new residence looking for the box with the coffee mugs in it. Is it labeled? Excellent!
• Pack a day bag. A small suitcase or bag can contain your hairbrush, a clean outfit, and anything else you are sure you will definitely need quickly in the new abode.
• Give away items you don't use. The fewer belongings you move, the easier it will be to unpack. There are some things that you won't want to give away, but if there are possessions that you do not need, consider giving them to someone who can use them.

After the moving company has unloaded the boxes at your new home, the way you unpack can also ease confusion. Here are some of our favorite tips:

• Put together your bed first. There is nothing better after a demanding day of moving and unpacking than to sink into a cozy bed. If you set up your bed and put on sheets first, you will be glad later. This goes for each member of the house. If you hired professional movers, they will do this job for you.
• Begin with the necessities. Items like a coffee maker, plates and cups and eating utensils, and your computer equipment are some of the important areas you will need as you start life in your new house. Prior to delving into the little details, think about what you want to have in place in the next 48 hours. Start there.
• Box your boxes. Often, rooms become piled with empty boxes and packing paper in the middle of the unpacking process. You can't see what you have left if it is impeded with discarded packing materials. Keep one box all in one piece and pack it with other empty cartons that you have 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 everything organized, you will inevitably need to run to the store to get cleaning supplies, curtain rods, light bulbs, or other new items. In lieu of making a run each time you need an item, keep a running list of necessary materials so that you can group everything in one trip. You'll save time and money, not to mention reduce your stress.
• Don't settle on furniture set up too quickly. Too many people get obsessed with room layouts the day they move into a new place. Grant yourself some leeway—not everything has to be set in stone immediately. The sofa that you loved at your old home may look out of place in your new home. That's alright. Allow yourself some time to get settled and you will figure out whether you can make it work. This can also be applied to artwork on the walls. It's your home! There's no need to rush.
• Establish Which Areas Are Most Vital. The most common error that is made during the unpacking process is a refusal to handle the job step by step. Rather, we attempt to unpack the whole house at once. After all of your belongings have arrived at the home, take a minute to figure out which areas are most crucial. The rooms that you are going to be spending the most time in are the ones that should be receiving top priority.
• Set Feasible Goals. In most situations, you are not going to be able to tackle all of the unpacking in one attempt. Don't push yourself too hard in the first couple days. There will be plenty to accomplish and none of the jobs are going anywhere. Set attainable goals and stick to them. Select the room that needs to be addressed first and finish it before moving onto the following job.
• Establish a Reward for Reaching the Deadline. For those who are moving with the total family, it can be difficult to wrangle everyone on the same page. Everyone is going to have their own agendas and getting everyone on the same page can be quite grueling. Establishing a reward for achieving a predetermined deadline is a good way around this conundrum. By selecting a reward, you are doing your part to keep the members of the family on task. No one will want to go astray. Creating a deadline will also keep you from the annoyances of stepping over various things that haven’t been put away yet after you have already moved to Colorado Springs and gotten somewhat settled.

Since 1974, A-1 Freeman Moving Group assisted individuals and families to move their belongings safely and securely. Contact us today so that we can help you pack, move and unpack in Colorado Springs.