Before the move, there’s a lot of rushing around. There are plans to be made, supplies to be bought, and packing to be done. If you start planning how to organize your new home before you move, you’ll be ready on day one. Here’s how to get started.
Labeling Boxes and Furniture
Before moving day arrives, you want to get boxes and furniture labeled for the new house. There’s a tendency when labeling to forget that some items may not be in the same rooms as before. You may need a chart at home to show what items are changing destinations. Perhaps the living room furniture and decor are moving to the den in your new home. The baby clothes may be going in the guest room closet, not the toddler’s room.
The best labels can be seen from a distance. In addition to writing the destination, you can have a color for each room. For instance, ‘red’ means living room and ‘blue’ means the master bedroom.
Pack Strategically
You will want to have your most important belongings in easy reach at the end of your first day in the new house. In the car, you should consider placing a suitcase for each person. Essential toiletries should be put aside for this purpose as well. There are other essentials, such as your pet’s bed and leash and your child’s favorite toys. Ideally your car will be packed only with what you will need for the first few days.
Moving Day
A chart will help the moving company team understand where each room is.. Don’t assume that they will know which one is the living room and which one is the den without a simple house plan to show them. You can make several copies and post them throughout the house in conspicuous places. Another approach is to put a sign on each room identifying it for the movers. Either way, your plans and signs should use your color-coded and numerical approach.
How to Unpack
Until you have settled where to put the furniture and other large items, don’t unpack a box. It will just clutter things up. Once the room layout is finalized, only then start unpacking.
You do not have to unpack every box at once nor do you have to unpack every room. Instead, use your labeling system to tell you what’s most important. In the bedrooms, it will be the sheets and curtains. In the bathrooms, it will be the towels. In the kitchen, you will want to unpack your coolers and put away pantry items. When you are tired, you’ll be glad all of your necessities are in your car, preparing you for nightfall and the dawning of a new day.
Beyond that, you can have a plan for which rooms need to be fully unpacked first. These usually include the kitchen and bedrooms. Again, unpack necessary items first. You can leave the books and decorations for after everything has been put away.
Make sure to keep your labels handy. You may repack boxes for attic, basement or garage storage, and you don’t want any confusion about the box’s contents.
Be Ready with Organizers
As you unpack, you may need to sort before placing items where they go. In that case, lay out some empty boxes or bins. This way you are organizing as you unpack. For even better results, have a big trash can and recycling bin ready. That way you will get rid of paper and other wrapping while you are in the beginning stages of unpacking.
Furthermore, you should either use your old organizers or be ready with new ones. Moving is a perfect time to start organizing stuff that previously rattled around in a drawer. This may be the time to invest in under-the-bed boxes or to purchase a closet organizing system for your new closet. It’s definitely time to add dividers to drawers. There are many kitchen storage ideas that are simple and can provide you with much more space.
Last but not least, watch your food and water intake and don’t forget your vital medications. Remember that once you are in your new house, the pressure is greatly reduced. There’s always tomorrow to unpack the next box.
