If you’ve pulled up to your new home with the moving truck, first of all, congratulations! Moving is no easy feat and there is finally an end in sight. But even so, there is still one more hurdle to overcome — unpacking. If you’re dreading the “u” word, you certainly aren’t alone, but it may not be as bad as you think. With some strategic unpacking, this last leg of your journey can be far less stressful and you can end your move on a high note.

Here are some key tips and 9 steps to get you started.

Tips for Efficient Unpacking

Hopefully, you’ve begun to declutter before your move. But even so, be on the lookout for other things you don’t need as you unpack. It isn’t uncommon to find some decor items that don’t mesh well with your new home or stuff that you simply don’t have enough room for. Once you’ve emptied a few boxes, it can be a good idea to designate one for sellable items and another for donations.

We know one of the most exciting parts of a new home is the chance to redecorate, but hold off for now. Tasks like hanging pictures and wall decor will only detract from unpacking. Plus, once everything is set up, you may find those items look better in other locations and be stuck with unnecessary holes in the wall.

Unpacking is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking a few hours, or even a day or two, away from unpacking can help you recharge your batteries. Not only will this help you avoid burnout, but it can make you more motivated and efficient when you get back at it!

9 Steps for Organized Unpacking

1. Take Care of Time Sensitive Items

If you’ve taken stuff from your old fridge or freezer, be sure not to forget about it. It’s easy to misplace things in a sea of boxes, but you don’t want to come across spoiled food later in your unpacking journey! Now is also a good time for a pet bathroom break before you start digging in.

2. Stretch

Stretching before lifting is a vital moving safety tip that also applies to unpacking. Be sure to stretch out your arms, neck, back, and legs before you unload the moving truck. A few runner’s stretches are ideal for this task. A quick warm-up will only take a few minutes—and it is worth every second to help avoid injury.

3. Organize Boxes

Take boxes and furniture and put them down in the room that they belong. Making use of closets to stack boxes is very helpful for this, as it can clear a lot of floor space. Essentially, having everything together where you need it will help you focus while unpacking, instead of scrambling around looking for items and jumping room to room.

4. Locate Your Essentials

Not knowing where your essentials are is a moving mistake you don’t want to make. Essentials may include medications, toilet paper, hygiene products, changes of clothing, chargers, and maybe a few snacks. Ideally, you’ve gathered these together in a box or suitcase before the move, but even if you didn’t, you should locate your necessities soon after everything is loaded into your new home to avoid stress down the road. Some people like to unpack all these items right away, while others prefer to keep them together, so nothing goes astray.

5. Ensure Privacy

If your home didn’t come with window coverings, you might want to unpack yours. Installing curtains and blinds are something that many people don’t think to do their first night in their new home, but it keeps your neighbors’ noses out of your business and gives you privacy when needed.

6. Get Ready for Bed

You’re probably exhausted from moving, and you will only tire more as the day goes on. This is why it is a good idea to set your bed up soon after you arrive at your new home. Locate your linens and make your bed, so once you’re ready to crash later, you aren’t stuck digging through boxes.

7. Assemble Furniture

Few things are as frustrating as unpacking a box, only to realize that there is no place to put your belongings. To avoid this, assemble key furniture before unpacking. This means that a bookshelf may not be worth it, but your cabinet that holds your dishes is probably a good call. Choosing what gets put together right away and what can wait will vary in each home, and boils down to lifestyle and personal preference. Ask yourself: what furniture would make my life easier?

8. Pick the Right Room to Start

No hand towel to wipe your hands is always unideal. And takeout food? That tends to get old fast — and expensive. So, two of the rooms that you should consider unpacking first are the bathroom and the kitchen. These areas get used daily, so getting them set up from the get-go will make your home more functional, which in turn, will make your transition less stressful. You may also want to consider taking boxes outside between unpacking rooms. Seeing your progress without cardboard clutter can help you stay motivated — and we all know motivation isn’t always easy to come by while unpacking.

9. Save the Garage for Last

Whipping out a few power tools may be necessary for assembling furniture and hanging curtains, but generally, most of the items in your garage or shed can wait until last. Trying to tackle these areas right away will only lead to unneeded stress, so feel free to leave their contents boxed until a later date.

Unpacking may not go as fast as you’d like, but by using these tips and steps, the process can be efficient and less overwhelming. Try to enjoy this last step of your move before you settle into your home — moving is a lot of hard work, but all your efforts will pay off.

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Author Bio

Nancy Zafrani is the general manager of Oz Moving & Storage in NYC. A day-one employee of Oz, she has 25 years of experience in the moving industry. As a New Yorker, Nancy also has lots of experience dealing with small apartments and organizing.