How to be 100% Unpacked in 24 Hours

Some of you know that Bob (lovely husband) and I are moving to a new apartment (just around the corner, but we still have to pack and UNPACK!)...and I’ve worked with many, many clients who have packed up for a move to a new home. I wanted to  share my secrets to getting unpacked in record time so you can get on with your life as soon as possible!

Of course, certain elements of a move are unique to the particular person and their situation, but here are a few tips that can IMMENSELY streamline your unpacking process:

~Plan Ahead: Depending the size of your move, start planning 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or even 1 year ahead! The number one thing that slows down the unpacking process is unpacking STUFF you don’t really want in the first place. Create a “Moving Mindset” early--BEFORE you move and look at your belongings with a fresh perspective. Is each item “worthy” of the move?

~Edit Ruthlessly: Now for some pre-move ACTION...DO NOT move items that you don’t love or need, clothing that you never choose, old towels and linens from the back of the closet, or boxes of old papers that are no longer relevant to your current life. Other categories to consider jettisoning: old electronics--including the tangled box of cords, many boxes of mementos and photos that could be digitized, Consider everything from this perspective--does it speak to your future or hold you back in some way? You will save untold hours by letting items go BEFORE you move, not packing OR UNPACKING them. Donate or recycle, someone else will love them!

~Mark Every Box: For fun, buy NEW SHARPIES for your crew and instruct everyone to mark boxes ON THE SIDE with the name of the designated room. As much as possible when the move actually happens, have boxes delivered to their pre-labeled room--saves tons of energy in the unpacking process.

~Invest in Wardrobe Boxes: This type of packing box makes unpacking a breeze and is totally worth the investment--no folding and packing clothes, just place them on the box rod and then rehang them in your new closet--easy! Dresser drawers can stay as is, no need to pack clothing in boxes, even for a long move. Totally worth the $$ investment.

~Invest in Dish and Glass Packing Boxes: Again, these well-designed boxes will save you hours of unpacking and packing time--just use the premade spacers and pockets for dishes and cups and you’re all set. So worth the money, in my opinion.

~Unpack the Kitchen First: Clients seriously underestimate the VOLUME of items contained in the kitchen. After you’ve purged your unwanted, or unneeded items (3 can openers, and 4 phone books, really?) at your old location, things should feel a bit more manageable. Even the most pared down kitchen, though, usually requires more energy than you’d think. Unpack the kitchen first, and you’ll be ahead of the game because a large percentage of the boxes will also be out of the way.

~Next Unpack: Bathrooms, Clothing, Bedding for your first night, Personal Items, Office, and then...mementos, storage and seasonal items. In other words, unpack in the order of necessity. You will be "all systems go" in no time!

~Have a Donation Box Ready: Typically, another, usually much smaller amount of editing and purging happens as you  unpack--watch for it--items that seemed like they were coming with you all of a sudden don’t fit the new space, or aren’t feeling like a match. BE READY for this by keeping a box available for donations and get them gone as soon as possible.

~Recycle the Boxes: Immediately! Break them down, take them to the door, assign one of your crew members to get them to the recycling ASAP. The cleared space will massively contribute to you feeling settled.

~Arrange and Beautify your New Home: Now that the boxes are out of the way, arrange furniture, hang art, place the final touches.

~Enjoy! You’re Unpacked!!!!!

~Put your feet up and take it all in. (This time) unpacking was a breeze--less stress than ever before with energy left to crank up the music and dance like crazy!

Let me know how these tips work for you, or, if you want a personalized plan for your move, I would love to help make it as simple and easy as possible. Contact me and let’s get started!

Lots of love,
XO
Jane

PHOTO CREDIT: Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_maridav'>maridav / 123RF Stock Photo</a>