Unpack
With A Plan
Your move is now
two-thirds of the way done. The last part is unpacking and getting settled into
your new home. This can be the phase that takes the longest, but can also be
the most fun. Unpacking gives you a chance to get the house organized -- you
know, the way you'd like to keep it all year, but it never works out that way.
When you start
wading through the sea of boxes, there should be a method to your madness. The
following are a few simple steps to make the unpacking process easier. And
remember, you don't have to unpack everything right away!
Unpack One Room At A Time
Kitchen: Begin here so that you can have a snack to
fuel your fire. Items that you won't need right away can be set aside to unpack
at a later time when you can better gage the right setup. This is also a good
time to line your cabinets and drawers.
Bathroom: This room should be next. Get your
toiletries out and make sure the toilet, faucets, etc. are operational. A few
things you should definitely have are a shower curtain, toilet paper and soap.
Bedrooms: If they aren't set up the first night, don't
sweat it. Have a family camp out instead! It is helpful to have major pieces of
furniture placed before unpacking (check out our Room Designer tool). Then
putting things away will be a cinch! The person whose room it will be should
make the area feel comfortable and personal to them. Setting up an organized
closet is another great thing to do when moving in
Living Room: Unpacking this room should be a combined
effort of everyone in the household. There will be a lot of items to be placed
and electronics to hook up. This is a good time to consider the practicality in
your home's wiring. For example, the entertainment center will have to be in
close proximity with the cable outlet.
Garage: Having an organized garage is a daunting
task for most. But if you start by setting up shelves and hooks for placement
of tools, yard supplies, etc., you might curb the tendency for making piles.
More Tips for
Setting Up: If you're
setting up a computer or stereo equipment, you may want to consider purchasing
a surge protector for the safety of these items and yourself. Don't forget to
collapse boxes for storage or recycling.
Take Note
Take inventory of everything you have to make sure nothing
has been lost. If you have any broken or damaged items, make sure to keep them
as evidence. You must file all insurance claims within a limited number of days
after the move, depending on your company's regulations.
Start a log of
home repairs and maintenance
that need to be done.
Create a shopping
list to make sure you have
everything you need.
Play Interior Designer
When preparing to
shift furniture around in
the living room and bedrooms, it's a good idea to make a sketch of the room
with squares representing where you would like certain items placed. Erasing an
armoire, rather than lifting it, could save you a trip to the chiropractor.
Placing furniture
so the room feels open and functional is an integral part of getting settled into your new home. Your house
probably won't look like what you'd envisioned for a few more months, but
taking those few important steps now will help prepare you in the plans to
come.
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