Last Updated on August 23, 2019 by Kari-Ann Ryan
Moving is one of the most stressful events of a person’s life, but it can also be one of the most exciting. Manage your stress by following these tips for packing and unpacking your belongings.
Before Packing
Packing is a dreaded part of the process for some, but it doesn’t have to be stressful if you are organized and have an effective strategy. There are several things to accomplish before you even begin packing, so don’t get out the moving boxes just yet.
1. Take Photos
Take pictures of your belongings before you pack them away. This way, you can use the pictures as a reference when you are reassembling your items in the new house. If you remember the way your old rooms were decorated, it will be easier to replicate the design.
There are a few things to take photos of for organizational reasons:
- Bookshelves
- Closets
- Kitchen/dresser drawers
- Desk areas
- Computer wires
Another smart reason to take photos before packing is so you can have proof of the physical condition your belongings were in before the move. If your stuff is damaged by the moving company during transportation, having “before” pictures will help you prove it.
2. Create a Strategy
The best way to pack is to go room-by-room. Coordinate which boxes contain the belongings of each room by using a color-coded or numbering system. Label each box with the color or number of the corresponding room and, when you arrive at the new house, label each room with that color or number.
When packing, think ahead to what you will need on move-in day and what can be unpacked later. Essential items include:
- Phone charger
- Pajamas
- 2-3 days’ worth of clothes
- Medications/prescriptions
- Toiletries
Separate all the essentials from your other items. Put them in a box and label it in a way so you can recognize it. Don’t use the labeling system above because it will be opened and used right away, not tucked into a room for later.
Before Unpacking
After all your belongings have been brought into your new home by professional movers, it is now time to begin organizing the layout of your house.
3. Clean, Organize, Inspect
Take this opportunity to clean or perform any repairs while the house is still empty. Dusting, painting, and other tasks are best done now before the house is overrun by clutter.
If you haven’t already, label all the rooms in correspondence with the color or number on your moving boxes. This simple layout plan will make it easier for the professional movers to quickly and efficiently unload your belongings.
To take it a step further, draw up a map or use washi tape to organize the layout of your house. You don’t need to be detailed – just figure out where you want to put your appliances and furniture and how that affects the space in your new home.
Go through your boxes to make sure your belongings are there and in the same condition as when you packed them. Repeat this inspection with appliances and furniture and plug in your appliances to check if they still work correctly.
Now that your boxes and new home are properly organized, unpacking should be a breeze.
4. Unpack One Room at a Time
It is more efficient to focus on unpacking one room at a time than it is to hop between them. If you already have your boxes organized in a color-coded or numerical system, this next step should be made easy. Simply pick a room to unpack and start there.
When choosing a room, consider what is most important for you to have on-hand during your first day. You already have your box of essentials but think about which rooms you will most need to use. It is recommended to unpack bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen before you worry about the other rooms. You will want access to a bed, shower, and food at the end of a long day of unpacking.
5. Don’t Unpack Everything
Be smart about unpacking. Not everything needs to be unpacked right away, such as decorations or other storage items. Be aware of what doesn’t need to be unpacked and put those items aside.
Work with Experienced Movers
Mid-West Moving & Storage has experience moving customers in and out of houses, apartments, dorms, condos, and retirement homes. Our professional movers prevent damage to your furniture and appliances by wrapping them up during the move. We also use door jambs and floor runners to protect your floors and walls from scuffs.
Contact Mid-West Moving & Storage for our extensive moving services to help you move in or out of Chicago. Our specialists will assist you in every step of the moving process and ensure an easy transition into your new place.
Contact Us
Call Mid-West Moving & Storage at 847.593.7201 to inquire about our moving and storage services in Chicago, IL. We offer residential, office, and industrial moving services to accommodate all your moving needs.