Avoid surprises, stress while unpacking after that big move
Everyone has to endure the unpacking process when moving into a new rental home. Unfortunately, not everyone prepares ahead of time.
Unpacking opens up a world of stress. However, implementing some tips can alleviate the burden. And you won’t have that one box waiting years to be unpacked.
There are some things to do before you move. Take pictures of desks or shelves that you would want to recreate in your new rental home. You can tell yourself you will remember because they’re likely some of your favorite elements. However, with a long list of things to remember when moving, it just might slip your mind.
Pack the items in the pictures together so you can neatly unpack them and recreate your décor in your new space without aimlessly searching.
Another tip to organize your many boxes is either color-coding or labeling your boxes. For example, kitchen items could be one color and bathroom items could be another.
Make sure to also label fragile items so you’ll remember to be extra cautious with those boxes.
Before you begin to unpack, clean your new apartment. Take advantage of the calm before the storm and the empty space so it will be easy to clean every nook and cranny.
Having a clean space can also promote calmness and clarity while you try to map out your floor plan.
If it has been a while since you’ve seen your space, or your aesthetic has changed, use painter’s tape to “place” big furniture items around the room. This allows you to visualize your design plan while preventing the need to keep moving large and heavy items. Plus, you can then change your mind as many times as you want.
Another great way to avoid the overwhelming feeling of unpacking is taking care of the process over the course of a few days.
For example, start with your bedroom and bathroom. Moving is exhausting, and you will want a place to wash off and sleep. Making your bed right away means you can unpack as much as you want and then crash into your nice, clean sheets.
Go room by room. You don’t want to start one area and get distracted, leaving it half unpacked. This will make you feel as though you’re unpacked and will leave boxes still full for a while. Try to avoid setting up your TV or gaming systems in the beginning. They just serve as another distraction.
Save your kitchen for another day. This room will most likely have the most items. Going through boxes and organizing drawers or counter space will take a while.
One small step that will make the entire process easier is to break down boxes as you go.
If you’re able to invest in an additional storage space, consider leaving some boxes packed to avoid clutter in your new apartment. Holiday decorations, winter clothes and games are OK to keep stored.