When moving day comes around, it can be a complete whirlwind of chaos. Everyone is focused on getting boxes in and out of the home and less on the organization of it all. And as a result, you’re often left with boxes and furniture scattered all over the place. It can easily become overwhelming very quickly if you’re not prepared in advance for unpacking.
To help you get through this process with ease, here are five tips to help you unpack and settle in smoothly the next time you move.
Label Everything
We cannot stress enough how important it is to label all of your boxes by room, and with a detailed list of items inside. This simple step can cut down your unpacking time significantly. Not only will it help the movers place the boxes in the correct rooms, but it will also help you decide what needs to be unpacked right away and what can wait to be unpacked next week.
Anything that requires disassembling should also have the parts placed in a labelled plastic bag and taped to the biggest piece.
And as an extra helpful tip, use a different colour marker for boxes that should be unpacked first versus items that can wait until later to get addressed.
Arrange Boxes
Before you start moving furniture or unpacking boxes, transfer all of the boxes into the proper rooms first. This will help free up space needed to move furniture around and will keep you organized. If you’ve labelled your boxes as described above, you can easily stack the ones in a corner of the room that can be taken care of later, while keeping the ones you should unpack right away where you can easily access them.
Move Furniture
Once the boxes are placed properly and organized, you can then move the furniture around to where it needs to go. You may want to get a friend or family member to help you position the heavier items, so you don’t end up with an injury. And remember to take your time. It doesn’t need to be done all in one day. Start with the items that you need to assemble immediately, such as your bed and dining room table.
Hook Up Appliances
Many of your appliances will still be in boxes. But once you have the basic furniture items in place, it’s time to tackle the day-to-day appliances, like your fridge, oven, and dishwasher.
Another helpful tip: if you’re not savvy with plumbing or electrical, talk to your move coordinator to arrange help for you.
Ask For Help
Tackling a big move on your own can be not only stressful but also dangerous. Ask friends and family for help during the first three days. You can also talk to your move coordinator about any unpacking services available that can help make this process even easier.
Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning and organizing, it can go off without a hitch. We hope these tips will help ease your moving worries and help you unpack and settle in smoothly. For more tips, or to talk with one of our moving coordinators, call us today at Ottawa Moving Logistics.
