5 Tips to Take the Stress out of Unpacking when Moving House
Posted on 05/12/2014
Moving house can be incredibly stressful and when you arrive at your new home, the thought of unpacking can be unbearable. Fortunately, this process can be made easier by following a few simple steps, including clear labelling, smart packing, and keeping a concise moving checklist that prioritises the order in which you unpack your belongings. Here are five easy ways to take the stress out of unpacking.1) Label all your boxes clearly. There’s nothing worse than standing in your new home after the removal company have left with a sea of unlabelled boxes sitting in front of you. If it’s been a long day, the chances are you’ll just want to have something to eat and go to bed. Therefore, clearly labelling each of your boxes is the most effective way of getting to all your immediate essentials without having to trawl through boxes of items you don’t need at the moment. Ask the movers to pack the most important boxes into the van last so you can get to them as soon as you arrive. 2) Make a box of essentials.Put anything you may need immediately in one box. Items such as toilet roll, cutlery, phone chargers and spare clothes are useful to have handy in one place so they’re easy to find upon arrival. Make sure this box is one of the last loaded onto the truck by the removal service so that it’s the first off. Alternatively, keep it with you while you travel (similar to carry-on luggage when you travel by plane). This way, you can get to your belongings as soon as you need them.3) Prioritise unpacking.After unpacking your immediate essentials, you may want to start on the rest of the house. It’s advisable that you work in order of priority in case you decide that you need to take a break and return to it the next day. Unpacking is far less stressful when you don’t have to complete it in one day so giving yourself the option to spread it out will make the process far more enjoyable. For example, putting together your bed should be one of the first tasks; at least this gives you the option of getting a good night’s sleep. Next, unpack your kitchen utensils and then move on to the bathroom. 4) Assign different duties.If you’re moving with your family or friends, assign different tasks to each person to lighten the load. One person could unpack the toiletries, while another could load crockery into the cupboards and someone else can set up the television and begin moving furniture. This not only means everyone has less to do, it also means the unpacking should take less time overall. Put on some music and have fun arranging your new home. 5) Take breaks and relax.It’s essential to keep in mind that the hardest part is over. The stress of house-hunting, relocation, putting in an offer, deposits and arranging a moving van is all in the past. You’re in your new home and you can start enjoying it. Make sure you take a moment to stand back and realise what an achievement this is. In between unpacking rooms, go for a walk or just stand outside to get some fresh air, refresh your mind and take some deep breaths. Stop for snacks and to reflect on what you’ve done so far. Walk around your new abode and chat excitedly with your family about your plans for the future.