Once the moving vehicle has been unloaded and you can’t see past the boxes, you may wonder if you will ever be unpacked. The answer is: yes, but not all at once!  Here is a plan to help you unpack so that you and your family can function immediately, even before you are fully unpacked. It takes time to get settled, and you will feel more at home every day.

In the Beginning

Have your inventory list handy. Use it to check off that each item is delivered. Later, you will use it to find items that you are looking for so that you can unpack them easily.

Before the movers arrive, plan where the large furniture will go so they can be correctly placed.  Boxes (which should be clearly labeled) can be placed into the correct rooms as they are brought into the house. It’s much easier to unpack if you begin with everything in its correct room.

Start by unpacking essentials. Each family member should have a “Carry Me” box with their clothing, toiletries and other items they need during the move and first few days in the home. There should also be boxes clearly labeled “UNPACK FIRST” which contain things like bed linens and bathroom essentials.

Don’t worry about getting everything done on the first day. Unpack the basics. Assemble the beds and major furniture so that you can maintain bedtime routines.

Basic Needs

Start by getting the bathroom and kitchen functional. You don’t need to unpack every last item in these rooms right now; just enough to make them useable.

The kitchen is usually the center of family life. Getting it up and running will give your family a place to congregate during the chaos of unpacking. Install major appliances (consult manuals and consider hiring a professional to install these). Plug in the small appliances which are most important to your family (toaster oven, coffee maker).

The bathroom should also be set up so that everyone can bathe and access their toiletries.

Step by Step

You may still feel like you are surrounded by mountains of boxes, but once you have unpacked the basics so that you can sleep, bathe and eat, you can move on to unpack things that will be needed in the near future. Out of season clothes and items you don’t need yet can wait.

Organize one room at a time. Plan where you want to put everything, and put things away as you unpack. Discard boxes as you empty them, so you can move more freely around your home and note your progress.

Each family member can unpack his or her own bedroom. If children are old enough, they should set up their own room. Common rooms, like the living room and the family room, can be done as a team.

If your family is back in school and at work immediately after the move, set aside time each night to unpack at least a few boxes. Use weekends to unpack some more.

Pace yourself so that you don’t get overwhelmed. You don’t need to be completely unpacked in a day. Or even a week. Make sure that you take time to go out and explore your new neighborhood. Good luck in your new home!