Whether you plan to relocate across town or another side of the country, it’s no secret that moving requires a considerable amount of logistics. There are rooms to declutter, boxes to pack, and of course, the transition itself to pull off. But in the rush to tackle all those frontend activities, it’s easy to forget one crucial element: how to unpack after moving.
Sure, it’s more convenient to hire professional movers to handle this for you, but sometimes you would just rather do it yourself. If that’s the case for you, let’s chat through how to unpack in your new home once those boxes arrive — along with some useful tips on how to pack for a move to make this whole process smoother, less stressful, and much more efficient.
How to Get Motivated to Unpack After Moving
The easiest way to find motivation to unpack after moving is to break it down into manageable, incremental steps.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when you look at all the boxes waiting to be unpacked, so just focus on one room at a time and tackle the boxes corresponding with each room. This will boost momentum and keep things organized until each room in your new home has been unpacked. Here are a few more tips for staying motivated:
- Choose one area of the house to prioritize each day (e.g., the kitchen and living room).
- Begin with the essentials you’ll need right away, such as dishes, utensils, and cookware.
- Set a timer and work in short bursts, then allow yourself a break after 20–30 minutes.
- Turn on your favorite podcast or music playlist, so the task will feel more enjoyable.
- Create a reward system for completing each section — watch the latest episode of a TV show, or treat yourself to takeout for dinner.
- Invite friends and family to help you and turn it into a social activity — order pizza, put on some tunes, and you’ll have an unpacking party before you know it.
6 Tips for Unpacking After a Move
Now that you’ve got the motivation, it’s time to roll up those sleeves and transform your new house into a home. But no need to stress because we’re here to help — consider this your comprehensive guide on how to unpack after moving.
1. Pack for the move with unpacking in mind
Be strategic from the very beginning with how you pack before the move. Don’t just throw items into boxes — establish a methodical packing system, so it’ll be easier and more efficient to unpack everything in your new home.
Here are some tips to get you started:
Declutter while you pack, and toss or donate the items you no longer need. This will mean less items to unpack in your new home.
Label each box to indicate which room it belongs in and the order in which you’ll need to unpack it. For example: KIT 1, KIT 2, KIT 3 (e.g., “Kitchen boxes—unpack KIT 1” would be the first box, filled with your must-have items).
Use colored stickers on the boxes you want to unpack first, such as ones that contain bed linens, pillows, and kitchen essentials.
Keep a thorough inventory of all packed items, which boxes they’re in, and the room they correspond to. This ensures you have a list to refer to while unpacking in case any items are lost in the shuffle of moving.
Have each family member pack their own suitcase with items they’ll need for the first week in your new home (e.g., clothes, toiletries, etc.).
2. Unload each box in its corresponding room
As soon as the truck pulls up at your final destination, it’s time to start unloading. But resist the urge just to dump all those boxes in the main living area to sort through later. Have your movers place all your boxes in their corresponding rooms. This will only take a couple minutes, and it’s one of most effective unpacking tips to streamline the process:
Carry each box from the moving truck directly to whichever room it belongs in. You should be able to tell from the labels written on your boxes.
Stack the boxes against a wall to leave space for furniture and enough room to walk around. Place the boxes you need to unpack first near the front and top of these stacks, so they’re more accessible.
Be careful of weight distribution — ensure that no boxes with fragile items are placed under boxes packed with heavy or bulky items.
3. Prep your new home before you unpack
Once all the boxes are in their respective rooms, give your new home a thorough cleaning. This might sound like too much extra work, but it will save you time in the long-run, as you won’t have to clean around furniture and belongings once everything is unpacked and in place.
Tackle these chores first:
Wipe down all surfaces, and sweep, vacuum, or mop the floors.
Paint the walls if that’s a task you plan on doing in certain rooms.
Line the drawers and cabinets in any areas susceptible to water damage, scratches, and everyday wear.
Declutter as you unpack — if you don’t want something, then don’t waste time setting aside closet, drawer, or cabinet space for it.
4. Set up your main living spaces immediately
Not sure which room to throw your efforts into first? One of the best tips for unpacking after a move is to begin with the spaces you use most often. (Hint: where you cook meals, relax with the family, and sleep at night.)
Once these main living areas are unpacked, you’ll start to feel more settled, comfortable, and at home in the new environment:
Focus on unpacking the most heavily frequented parts of your house as soon as possible (e.g., bedrooms, kitchen, living rooms). This will help create a sense of routine, comfort, and normalcy in the entire space.
Arrange the furniture, assemble the beds, organize the closets, and put essential items like dishes, cookware, linens, and clothing in drawers or cabinets to make the house functional in this period of transition.
Get your tech devices — like the TV and WiFi router — all set up in the living room, so you can decompress with a show after packing.
5. Have each family member unpack their own room
The bulk of the unpacking process doesn’t have to fall on your shoulders. Get the whole family to pitch in since — news flash — it’s their home, too. This will ease the workload and accelerate the progress.
Even young children can learn how to unpack after moving with small, manageable tasks appropriate for their age level.
You can even turn this process into a family game—like a timed challenge, for instance—then do something to celebrate once everyone’s room is unpacked.
6. Prioritize other rooms in order of importance
Now that your main living spaces are functional, let’s take a look at how to unpack all the other rooms, along with those final homey touches like decorating the walls, putting books on shelves, and moving plants to the windowsill. Handle these remaining tasks in order of importance — you can use the list below as a general point of reference:
Unpack your toiletries, shower curtain and liner, towels, medicine cabinet items, and cleaning supplies in the bathrooms.
Move on to storage areas like the garage, attic, or basement if you have one. Some of the items stored in these rooms (e.g., seasonal decorations) can be left in their boxes for the time being.
Set up the furniture and any other outdoor items (e.g., electric grill) on your deck or patio if the house comes with this feature.
And now for the fun part — it’s time to decorate your new home. Hang pictures on the walls. Place trinkets on shelves. Find a sunlit corner for your house plants. In other words, make it your own
Unpacking Tips for Each Room of the House
Now that we’ve covered the basics of how to unpack after moving, let’s focus specifically on each room of the house.
Follow these unpacking tips for a more efficient process as you tackle one room at a time. Before you know it, the entire space will feel comfortable, functional, and livable—just what you envisioned for a fresh start!
How to unpack a bedroom
Assemble the bed frame, then arrange furniture pieces, like the armoire and nightstands.
Make the bed with sheets, comforter, and pillows, so you can sleep in it right away.
Unpack all your clothes and organize them in both the closet and drawers.
Set up lamps, curtains, electronics, photos, and other personal décor items to make the space feel comfortable and functional.
How to unpack a kitchen
Wipe down all the counters, appliances, drawers, and cabinets before you unpack.
Start with the kitchen items you’ll use most often (e.g., dishes, cups, utensils, coffee mugs, etc.). Place these items in accessible drawers or cabinets.
Organize your cookware (e.g., pots, skillets, pans, baking sheets, etc.) near the stove. Nest smaller items inside the larger ones to maximize space.
Store your oven mitts, dish towels, and other kitchen linens in the closest drawer to the stove in case you need them while cooking.
Arrange small appliances (e.g., microwave, coffee maker, toaster, air fryer, crockpot, etc.) in an accessible—but non-obtrusive—spot on the counter. You can also store appliances in a cabinet if you don’t use them often.
Put away all non-perishable food items in the pantry. Organize similar foods on the same shelves (i.e,. store the spices or canned foods together).
Read More: How to Pack a Kitchen for a Move
How to unpack a bathroom
Disinfect and wipe down all the counters, drawers, and cabinets before you unpack.
Find an accessible spot for the daily essentials (e.g., soap, towels, toiletries, etc.).
Arrange your first-aid supplies, medications, or other small personal care items in the medicine cabinet — out of young children’s reach.
Store cleaning products, extra toilet paper rolls, and other miscellaneous bathroom items in the large cabinet under the sink.
Hang the shower curtain, place the bath mat, and finish it off with decorative touches.
How to unpack a living room
Position the large, bulky furniture pieces first, such as your couch, side chairs, coffee table, and entertainment console.
Set up all your electronic devices (WiFi router, television, speakers, etc.). Bundle the cords together and keep them safely out of the main footpaths.
Arrange a floor lamp near the main seating area to create a warm, cozy ambiance and brighten the entire space.
Store your books and other frequently used items on shelves or other appropriate furniture.
Infuse the space with unique touches such as wall décor, throw blankets and pillows, curtains, artwork, house plants, and family photos.
How Many Days Does It Take to Unpack After Moving?
How long does it take to unpack after moving? For the average household, it takes about 1–2 weeks to fully unpack after a move. With that said, exact time frames can vary based on the amount of items and the size of your home. For instance, if you’re relocating into a three- or four-bedroom house, it might take closer to a month for you to unpack all the boxes, decorate the entire space, and feel completely settled.
While every move comes with its own timelines and logistics, the sooner you start unpacking essential items (ideally, within the first 48 hours), the easier it will be to sustain your momentum and motivation.
Of course, the quickest, most convenient way to unpack is hiring professional movers to handle it for you—but creating an action plan, setting daily objectives, and resisting procrastination will streamline the job, while minimizing stress.
Not Sure How to Unpack After Moving? Colonial Is Here for You
With these unpacking tips, you now have the tools in your arsenal to unpack after moving. But if you’d rather hire a team of professionals to get it done in a snap, Colonial Van Lines has you covered.
With more than 50 years of experience in both packing and moving services, we’ll unpack all your items—from dishes to clothes to furniture—so you can feel right at home in a fraction of the time. Contact us for a free quote today!