As the rumble of the moving truck fades in the distance, the reality of unpacking begins to rear its ugly head. Even though you know that life in your new home can't start until you unpack the boxes, that doesn't make the job any less intimidating. Take heart, determination and a hint of organization will make the entire thing a distant memory in no time.

Unpacking Made Simple (Or At Least Simpler)
 

Don't Wait

The longer you wait to begin unpacking, the less energy you have, so get moving! Avoid the soul-sucking experience of looking at full moving boxes day after day. Your mood will improve if you keep telling yourself that each empty box brings you closer to making your new house a home.

Prioritize

Start with the rooms you use the most: kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. Unpacking these rooms first will get you functional quickly. Being able to rest, stay clean and get something to eat will help you keep your energy up as you unpack boxes in the rest of the house.

Start Big

You'll be more productive if you start with the biggest items and work down to the small stuff. Get your furniture in place and assembled before you move on to the area rugs and knickknacks. Be sure to hook up your major appliances as well so you can get cooking and cleaning underway as soon as these jobs are required.

Use Your Packing Checklist

You did make one, right? If not, our downloadable Packing Checklist will be a handy companion during your next move! Check off each box on your packing checklist as you unpack it, and as the checkmarks start to stack up, you'll get that warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment. If you find damaged items, make sure to note them and contact your moving company as soon as possible.

How Did THAT Get in There?

As you packed, you probably got rid of a bunch of things you didn't need. Since you're unpacking anyway, why not give your stuff another once over? Create "discard" and "donate" piles and lighten your load some more. Besides, the more things you get rid, the fewer you'll need to find space for.

Safe Haven

Unpack and set up your bedroom as soon as possible. Once the bedroom is finished, keep other boxes and unpacked items out; this is your place to relax and escape from the tensions of unpacking.

Deboxify

As you unpack boxes, break them down and get them out of the way. If you're recycling, stack them neatly where they won't get wet or dirty. Getting moving boxes out of the way is a great visual symbol that you're making progress.