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How to Make Unpacking Stress Free (Packing and Moving Tips)

“I just read your moving tips post. My question is so what’s next? I’m in the middle of a move right now moving back to my home state after a six year stint in the military and I am completely dreading unpacking my house. Last time I moved was from my overseas duty station to stateside so I didn’t have much to unpack but now to babies and a marriage later I have an entire house to unpack. Got any tips?”

Great question!  I’m sure you’re not the only one that has read my moving post and wondered that.  Here are a few more packing and moving tips that will help make unpacking a breeze!

Purge purge purge! 

Don’t move stuff you’re not going to keep.  I mean seriously, why waste the energy in moving something you’re just going to get rid of.

garage sale pileSource

Before you move have a yard sale or take a huge donation box to the Salvation Army.  Really think through everything you have, and get rid of your excess.

Have a plan.

When we moved last time {before we even moved in} I had arranged the kitchen on paper.  I had a list of what I wanted in each cabinet so that when it came to unpacking, I already knew where to put everything.  Before you move in, walk through the house and take pictures of each closet and cabinet, then print the pictures and write on the pictures what you want to put in each space.  Planning where things go on paper, before you move, makes unpacking so much easier because you’ll already know where to put everything!

Start out the way you want to end up.

Here’s what I mean, when you’re unpacking don’t just throw random things in random places. Put items away where you will want them to end up.

organized linen closetSource

Chances are if you just throw a bunch of random stuff in a closet, it’s going to stay like that for a long time {maybe even forever, let’s be honest}.  Set yourself up for having an organized home from the start!  Go to the Dollar Store and buy a bunch of inexpensive baskets so that when you’re unpacking you can put your things in the baskets and organize your closets, under your vanities, your kitchen cabinets, the pantry, etc. from the very start!  For ideas on where to put things you can visit my organization pages!

Good luck with your move and have fun organizing and planning out your new home!  You might also want to see Tips for a Stress-Free Move.

General// Organizing

About Anna

"Hi, I'm Anna! Wife, mother, child of God, and the founder of Ask Anna. I have always enjoyed cleaning, organizing, decorating and helping people, so I've put that all together on the pages of this blog. I truly hope my tips help you in your home and make sure to contact me if you have a question!"

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Comments

  1. Anne Marie says

    June 28, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Love you new site and all your recent entries!

    • Anna says

      July 12, 2012 at 9:24 am

      Thanks for the invite. I will head over and link up! 🙂

      Anna

  2. Melissa Wheeler says

    July 6, 2012 at 8:03 am

    Your moving tips link is taking me to an organize deep shelves post instead.

    • Anna says

      July 6, 2012 at 9:31 am

      Thank you for letting me know! Some of my links got messed up in the transfer from Blogger so I really appreciate you letting me know so that I can fix it! 🙂

      Anna

  3. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    July 10, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    Where were you 2 years ago when I was unpacking! My hubs said we moved about $1,000 worth of junk (since we paid by the pound for the move)! When I began cleaning out the basement and all the extra boxes, I guess he had a point as I unpacked paperclips, wrappers, stray jellybeans ….
    But we did label the boxes so at least they ended up in the proper rooms!
    Kelly

    • Anna says

      July 10, 2012 at 10:17 pm

      Haha, that’s awesome and terrible at the same time! Well at least now you know for future moves. 🙂

      Anna

  4. Tami says

    May 6, 2013 at 11:45 am

    I honestly never thought of taking pictures and making an organization plan before hand. Thank you!

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