How to Unpack Your Home After Your Move

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

We've all heard about the most productive approaches to pack up a house, but what about the opposite? As with anything in life, unpacking from a move to Oklahoma City does have some approaches that work better than others. You can streamline the unpacking part of the moving process by planning ahead.

Part of a smooth unpacking process involves preparation for it as you are packing. A couple tasks to keep in mind as you pack include the following:

• Label boxes. This is not rocket science, but you will never be more glad about following this advice as when you are walking around your new residence looking for the carton with the spoons in it. Is it labeled? Excellent!
• Pack an overnight bag. A small satchel or rucksack can hold your dental floss, a clean outfit, and other things that you know you'll absolutely need quickly in the new home.
• Give away items you don't use. The fewer items you move, the easier it will be to unpack. There are a few things that you will not want to get rid of, but if there are items that you don't want, ponder donating them to someone who can use them.

After the moving company has unloaded the moving boxes at your new abode, the order and organization you use during unpacking can also diminish chaos. Here are several of our popular tips:

• Set up your bed first. There is nothing better after a demanding day of moving and unpacking than to fall into a cozy bed. If you set up your bed and put on sheets first, you'll thank yourself later. This goes for every member of the house. If you hired professional movers, they can do this job for you.
• Start with the necessities. Items like a coffee maker, plates and glasses and silverware, and your computer station are some of the first things you will need as you begin life in your new home. Before diving into the little details, contemplate what you need to have in place in the next couple days. Begin there.
• Box your boxes. Frequently, rooms become messy with empty boxes and bubble wrap during the unpacking process. You cannot keep under control what you have left if it's impeded with discarded packing supplies. Keep one box intact and stuff it with other empty boxes that you've broken down. That way, you can see how much you still have to unpack. Your box of boxes can be trashed or, preferably, recycled.
• Group your shopping trips. No matter how well you've planned, you will most likely need to go to the store to get a new trash can, more bags, light bulbs, or other new items. Instead of making a trip every time you need an item, start a running list of required supplies so that you can buy everything in one trip. You'll save time and money, not to mention lessen your stress.
• Do not settle on furniture layout too soon. Too many people find themselves locked into room layouts the day they move into a new place. Give yourself some leeway—not everything has to be unchangeable immediately. Old couch that you adored at your old place may feel awkward in your new abode. That is okay. Allow yourself some time to get settled and you will know whether you can make it work. This also goes for artwork on the walls. It is your home! There is no need to rush.
• Decide Which Areas Are Most Critical. The most common mistake that is made during the unpacking process is a refusal to execute the task a little at a time. Rather, we try to unpack the complete house at once. Once all of your belongings have arrived at the home, take a moment to determine which areas are most crucial. The rooms that you usually spend the most time in are the rooms that should be given priority.
• Set Feasible Goals. In most instances, you are not going to be able to handle all of the unpacking in one fell swoop. Don't push yourself too hard on the first day or two. There is going to be lots to accomplish and none of the chores are going anywhere. Create attainable goals and stick to them. Select the area that needs to be taken care of first and finish it prior to moving onto the next chore.
• Establish a Reward for Achieving the Deadline. For those who are moving with a whole family, it can be challenging to have everyone going in the same direction. Everyone will have their own agendas and the process of making sure that everyone is pulling in the same direction can be quite arduous. Setting up a reward for meeting a predetermined deadline is a great way around this fiasco. By picking a prize, you are doing your part to keep the members of the family on task. No one will want to slack off. Selecting a deadline will also keep you from the annoyances of stepping over numerous things that have not been put away yet after you have already moved to Oklahoma City and gotten somewhat settled.

Since 1974, A-1 Freeman Moving Group helped individuals and families to move their homes safely and securely. Contact us now so that we can help you pack, move and unpack in Oklahoma City.