How to unpack quickly

As all of you who have had experiences with packing and relocating know, this can be quite a nerve-wracking task. It takes time, effort, planning – your to-do list is rather time-consuming let alone downright boring. The same goes for unpacking. However, you can also learn how to unpack quickly. Just apply the proper techniques and follow the tips we are about to share with you. This can save you a lot of time and you can choose to use it for something else.

You can decorate your new home, go out to celebrate your relocation, just relax at your new place, or anything else more meaningful than unpacking. Hopefully, our tips will serve you well and you’ll learn how to unpack like a pro before you know it. And your reliable NYC movers are here to assist you. You will see, it will all come easily to you once you get started. So…let’s get started! Carry on reading to learn how to unpack quickly.

Compile a list

First things first − you cannot begin with this type of project unless you actually know what you are packing. For this simple reason, begin this adventure by writing down a list of items that will find their place inside boxes, bags, etc. Once you finish making a definite moving list, you can move on to the next step. You can also skip pen and paper. Go for one of the free moving apps that let you take your home inventory on your phone or tablet. Most of these apps are quite customizable. So, you can add other details like description, condition of the item, photos, etc. Make sure to double-check it to see whether you have not forgotten to enlist something important. Note that this task will be harder for you to complete if you are rushing to do it.

Therefore, in order to get done with it properly, start doing it in time. Maybe right now you don’t see the connection between this and how to unpack quickly. But trust us, everything starts with a good organization. The better you pack the easier you’ll unpack. Your inventory list will serve you quite well when it’s time to take everything out of the boxes and place it in its designated area at your new home, and knowing what you have and in which box you have to comes extremely handy.

Have a what-not-to-pack list

While creating an inventory of things you’re about to move to your new home, you should definitely take some time and think thoroughly about what you need for this move. That is, think about all the items that are necessary for you and your family. To make things easier, you can have an elimination list that will help you select all those items you don’t really want to bring with you. This list should include something you are absolutely certain you won’t bring and then that extra clutter you come across while packing your house. Remember that piling up will only make things much more difficult − furthermore, you will need more time to pack and unpack them as well but you will also pay more for moving services since you’ll have more items.

Decide what you will unpack first

Depending on how big your relocation is, you can make an assumption on how long it will take for you to fully unpack. We suggest you have a box of essential things you will be using for several days after you have relocated. This box should contain:

• items for personal hygiene,
• something to help you quickly prepare food,
• something to drink and eat,
• an emergency kit,
• documents, etc.

If you think there are other things that should be inside your essential box, by all means you should add them because this box should contain all the items you use on daily basis. On the other hand, do not forget to separate this box from other boxes. Otherwise, you might lose them among the pile of boxes when you unload them from the moving vehicle. Speaking of it, you should also know how to properly unload a moving truck.

Put the labels on boxes and bags

This step will actually be the one that will help you the most. Putting the labels on boxes and whatever you are using for packing your stuff will hugely shorten the process of unpacking.  Also, by knowing which box contains what content, you could directly place them in appropriate rooms in the new home – that’s why later you won’t have to lose much time on this. Imagine you didn’t label your boxes and you have to spend so much time digging through all those boxes looking for something specific. Soon you would make such a disorder and mess that it will take you ages to get everything in order again. So if you want to unpack quickly, or as quickly as possible, then you need to establish an order.

To label your boxes, you can use premade labels but you can also use a red sharpie marker that you probably have in your home already and simply write the content in big bold letters on each moving box. For example, write “bedding”, “china”, “clothing”, and so on, so you would have an idea about what’s inside the box you’re unpacking. Labeling is extremely important when moving fragile items so make sure you write “fragile” on several sides of the box to make the sign visible.

Set up a rule and hold on to it

As mentioned before − it is important to establish some rules. But you won’t do much unless you follow them. Keeping up with the partial order also won’t do much for you. Being systematic is the only option if your goal is to get rid of moving boxes fast. This means that if you put the label “Kitchen” on a box it should not contain anything else that does not belong there.

Why would a book find its place inside a box with shampoos and other toiletries? When you think about it, it sounds ridiculous. Make several such hasty moves, and you’ll get a real mess. You’re likely to want to make a few shortcuts while packing but staying diligent and doing things the right way will certainly pay off later on when the time to unpack comes.

Get rid of stuff you don’t need to unpack quickly

Being surrounded by things that are just taking the precious free space can really form a great confusion. Remember the “What not to pack” list? Refer to it once again, and do yourself a huge favor. Throw out, donate or sell everything you don’t want to take with you to a new home. This way you will clear up space a lot. Moreover, you won’t find yourself unpacking some unnecessary things which wouldn’t contribute to your unpacking fast at all. The less you bring, the less time you’ll need to settle in your new home and free yourself from the packing supplies, cardboard boxes, etc. Plus, decluttering and moving fewer items can reduce your moving service costs so go ahead and separate anything not worth moving.

Don’t shrink from obligations

That’s right! Unless you hire professional packers, your bags won’t pack alone. So if you think you can leave this task for another time, then think again. Procrastination is the worst companion in every task − when you have something as complex as relocation, procrastination is the last thing you need right now. Therefore, do not postpone commitments as it can largely influence other tasks as well. This is especially important if other people are involved in this move as well. So, keep in mind that time management is essential and start planning as soon as possible. A moving checklist comes in really handy because it lets you track your progress and it will help you break down the workload into smaller more manageable chunks.

Summary

And there you have it – these tips are quite basic but very effective when you hold on to them. To unpack quickly you’ll need to think about the amount of stuff you’ll pack and also if you decide in advance where you will put them, you will save yourself a lot of time. In case you’d rather hire professional cheap movers NYC to handle the entire relocation, go ahead and contact us. At Dumbo Moving and Storage, we provide a wide range of moving services, including packing and unpacking services. Whether you’re having a commercial or residential move and you need local or long distance movers NYC, don’t hesitate to call. We’ll create a personalized plan for your relocation and provide complimentary free moving quotes as well so make sure you reach out to us by!