Written by: Nathan Steele
Date:

After a long-distance move, all you want to do is relax and settle into your new home. Unfortunately, there is still one task left – unpacking. You may think unpacking your belongings is going to be easy, but that’s not usually the case. Most people take months to fully unpack. This rings especially true when moving over long distances. Although, there are ways of speeding up the process. Knowing the most optimal way to unpack after a cross-country move is going to save you time, money, and nerves.  It’s important to have a strategy. Otherwise, you will spend months living in a sea of boxes. Here at Verified Movers, we give some tips on how to simplify the process.

Unpacking is easier if you pack smart

The best unpacking strategy after moving from Virginia to Texas is being prepared. Packing strategically is the easiest way to do this. The most common technique is packing by room. Label boxes by room and their contents. Additionally, consider making an inventory of all of your items. By doing so, you can easily keep track of your property. Furthermore, think about how you will arrange furniture in your new space. Ideally, this should be done months in advance. Otherwise, you will be stuck moving and changing the floor plan for weeks.

Take the opportunity to clean your home

Before the moving van comes, consider deep cleaning your home. This is a great method for efficient unpacking, as it prepares your home for your belongings. First, clean the most essential rooms. You should start with your bedroom, move to the bathroom and finish off with the kitchen. It should be easy enough if you packed essential cleaning supplies. This is also a good time to check for pests, mold, and bugs. With all of the furniture out of the way, it’ll be easier to spot any issues.

person cleaning a mirror
Deep clean your home before you unpack after a cross-country move.

The best way to unpack after a cross-country move involves a bit of strategy

As you probably know, moving is very stressful. Thus, it is important to have a proper plan for every little detail. Otherwise, it can get overwhelming quickly. Efficiently unpacking after a long-distance move is no different. Proper planning and research will do wonders when moving day arrives. Aside from that, your movers can impact how quickly you unpack after a long-distance relocation. This is why it’s important to research interstate moving companies reviews California before deciding on a company.

Unpack your items room by room

Your movers can give you an approximate time of arrival. This is important because it will determine which rooms you unpack first. If your belongings arrive in the evening, there’s no point in first unpacking the kitchen. Likewise, unpacking your bedroom won’t be useful first thing in the morning. Also, once your moving van arrives place each box in its corresponding room immediately. Interstate moving companies Utah can help you get everything ready for unpacking.

Start to unpack after a cross-country move by doing the kitchen first

If your movers arrive in the morning, this is the most logical course of action. Start with the big items first. Plug in the most important appliances, like the stove, fridge, and dishwasher. A microwave is useful to have during the first few days of settling into your new home too. You will probably be too tired to do any real cooking. Moreover, unpack any small appliances which you use on a daily basis. Your toaster, juicer, coffee maker, or whatever else you use often.

man and woman unpack after a cross-country move
You will most likely need your kitchen first, so it makes sense to unpack it immediately.

Continue to the bathroom

Before you move onto bedrooms and other living areas, take care of the bathroom first. Do only the essentials like your towels, toothbrushes, paper, toothpaste, and soap. You can focus on the details later. For now, just place whatever you need for your daily routine. Take a break now if you need to, a hot shower will relax you after all that unpacking.

Unpack the bedrooms next

After a long trip and hours of unpacking your belongings, you will need a good night of sleep. Unpack and assemble the bed. If you have children, do theirs now as well. Then you can move on to linens for each bed and some pillows. This way, getting cozy after a long day of work will be easy. While you’re in the bedroom, you can also assemble the closet. On the other hand, if that’s too much work you can just decide on the placement and leave it for another day.

person taking books out of a box
When you are unpacking your bedroom, do only the essentials. You can leave decorations, books, and plants for last.

Finish unpacking after a cross-country move by dealing with common areas

You should leave the living room and other common areas for the end. They’re important parts of your home, but you don’t have to unpack them right away. If you immediately set up your couch and tv, they could distract you. Additionally, you should have fun decorating your living room! Below we have listed some of our tips to spice up your interior design:

  • plants make any room appear cozier
  • search local thrift stores for nifty trinkets
  • floating bookshelves  make for interesting wall decor
  • pillows with lively prints can brighten any area
  • consider an accent wall – apply a statement wallpaper, paint it a different color or hang some art

Consider hiring professional help

In case you don’t want to deal with unpacking, hiring professional movers is always an option. They will do the job more quickly than you can. Instead of unpacking for months on end, you could speedily take care of this tedious task. This might be the best way to unpack after a cross-country move if you want to minimize stress. Verified Movers can connect you with some of the best moving companies in the nation. Settling in a new home will be much faster with competent movers on your side.