“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.
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.
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.
Love you new site and all your recent entries!
Thanks for the invite. I will head over and link up! 🙂
Anna
Your moving tips link is taking me to an organize deep shelves post instead.
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
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
Haha, that’s awesome and terrible at the same time! Well at least now you know for future moves. 🙂
Anna
I honestly never thought of taking pictures and making an organization plan before hand. Thank you!