Moving: What To Unpack First

Our most recent move consisted of 2 adults and 2 kids moving from a third floor walk up apartment into a 2 story house. Yes, we hired movers, but they only did the physically moving; no packing or unpacking. The day was epic but we got the best piece of advice that day for how to stay sane that first week you're in a new home:

E's mom, a veteran of several large moves while raising 3 boys, had some advice that made all the difference. She said: get the kitchen entirely unpacked: no boxes, no delayed decisions, get it functional that first night and the whole rest of the unpacking and moving will be breeze by because you won't be having to order out, you won't have boxes on the counters, you won't feel crazy every time you walk into this one room.

This is our new kitchen the night of our move, just seeing the glasses in a row, the cake stands on display, made us all breathe a sigh of relief

She helped me that night and we got everything completely unpacked and put away. It made such a huge difference to be able to get up in the morning and make breakfast and coffee like a normal day.

What's the First Thing You Unpack?

Comments (51)

I enjoy unpacking after a move. Just remember to throw away at least half the stuff you brought with you :)

our moving people are starting to unload the truck as I type this...what great timing this post is :)

Definitely unpack the kitchen first. And when you're packing, make sure to put identification on the boxes so you can FIND the kitchen boxes! I always use my computer and print out not only the name of the room but a photo of what's in the box and then put a copy of that on all sides and the top of box. It may sound like overkill but it saves a lot of time and effort and makes it easier for the movers, too.

Sheets! I make the bed up first and make it as pretty as possible. It's an island of sanity. You can always pull the covers over your head.

I've moved more times than I can count and getting that kitchen unpacked and in clean, working order is always job one! Job two is setting up the beds! A night on one's own bed centers everyone and provides a fresh start for the rest of the move.
Having just moved (again) myself, I am also practicing SeanG's suggestion. As I unpack, I keep a big "donate" box handy and am purging as I go. Talk about a Home Cure!!!!

My mother in law told me to get the kitchen ready and came and got me. We unpacked the kitchen and now- that is the way.

The bathroom. TP, soap, and towels are very important. :)

Haaaa! The kitchen is a smart priority, but I usually start with the basics and make sure I have my survival kit: a week-end bag with all toiletries and clothes I need for the next three days.

The morning after my first move, I found myself crying in the living room: I could not find socks...

I agree with 'I Love Upstate'... the bedroom sheets are a must, but as far as room by room I always start with the kitchen.

As someone who has moved more times than I want to remember—once 4 times in 13 months—you should ALWAYS make a "ME FIRST BOX," which should include the basics: sheets; pillows; blankets; towels; alarm clock; coffee maker; coffee; paper plates; cups; utensils; toiletries; bulbs; utility knife; etc. Basically, anything you need to get started. (I always ordered out my first night so I never packed a pot.)

First thing you do is prep the bed so that when your exhaustion finally catches up to you, you can just crawl into it and pass out, which I have.

After that, you can start with whatever room makes the most sense. Since I work from home, that was always my home office.

Thankfully, since buying our home, I haven't given moving a second thought. Till now.

(INSERT UNCOMFORTABLE SHUDDER HERE)

I definitely do the kitchen first, too (although I also always pack one box of essentials for the bed and bathroom - sheets & pillows, toilet paper, towels, toiletry kit, shower curtain & rings, etc.).

I like doing the kitchen first because, in a weird way, it's the easiest. Unlike the living room or bedroom, the big pieces (frig, stove, sink) are already in place, so there's no need to think about the floor plan. And, hopefully, most (if not all) of the storage space is also already in place. So there's a bit more mindlessness to it, which helps get me into the new place when I'm already exhausted from getting out of the last place.

As odd as it sounds, closet first. If I can look put together, I know the rest of the day will be okay. TP, milk and cereal MUST come second. After moving every year for 6 years, I understand what is necessary, and what can wait.

I can't imagine doing the kitchen first as the first thing I always do in the kitchen is clean the cabinets and line them. This always takes nearly a day because no one ever cleans their cabinets and they are always a greasy mess. Cutting and fitting the liner also takes time as I don't like to waste liner so I am always trying to fit it the most economical way. I will not put my clean dishes in someone else's dirt.

Kitchen first without a doubt. I've done my last several moves this way and have loved how much easier it is to handle everything else when things in the kitchen are already in their place...the kitchen is said to be the heart of the home afterall. My most recent move I was able to cook dinner our first night and pulled off having weekend guests the next day. I also like having clean cabinets but I always come back a week or so after having moved in to give that task some heavy duty attention once things are more settled in.

Yep, kitchen basics first -- the whole thing if you have time and energy.

I agree that everybody needs a starter box, though. Bed linens, towels, soap, eating supplies for the first night or two (paper plates at the least, along with silverware...), toilet paper, light bulbs...

It helps so much to label correctly every box (I never went to photos, but especially if there is a gap in time when things will be stored before unpacking them that's a great idea -- you THINK you will remember...) Every box needs to go as close to the EXACT SPOT where it will be unloaded as possible. (Furniture in place first, of course!)

I think hte critical issue is that you unpack everything as soon as possible -- don't delay, don't stash things in the basement to think about later, be methodical and ruthless. The stashed box is either the place where a critical cable wound up that you will never find and will spend money to replace, OR is the stuff you should have given to charity before the move!

I wish our kitchen had been clean enough to do this when we moved...! What did make a HUGE difference, though, is having our bed up on its frame with normal sheets, comforter, and pillows for the first night.

I always unpack the kitchen first.
Then I start putting together major furniture (most of my stuff is Ikea so that means putting together the kitchen table, the shelves, the bed).
Then I populate those big items...the rest is little things here and there (i.e. bathroom, etc).

:) That's my attack plan and seems to work well! Can't wait to hear what everyone else does.

Clothes closet first. I have always moved on weekends so I need to be able to get ready for work quickly, and I just hate hunting for something to wear. Plus, once I unpack the clothes, I know how much space I'll have for everything else.

I am also a big fan of the "open me first" box. I moved in December and having a container with sheets, basic toiletries, shower curtain, towel, a couple of plates and utensils, and another set of clothing made life eaiser. The first thing I did was clean the bathroom (while a wonderful friend cleaned the kitchen). Knowing I could shower, sleep and eat made the whole situation much easier. Sad to say that I still have a few boxes left to unpack. *hangs head in shame*

Bathroom first! I must be able to use the loo and take a bath!

Thankfully, when we moved into our lovely apartment almost nearly 2 years ago we had the luxury of gaining access to it 3 1/2 weeks before our rent started. We used this time to take everything slowly out of our old place, so by the official 'move-in' day, nearly everything was already there! Everything was already in the closets, the kitchen was nearly finished (we had been living off paper plates for a bit in the old place but it was well worth it) and all we really had to do was arrange furniture and unpack a few boxes that accompanied them. It was tough, but nice to take it slowly and finish at our own pace.

http://www.abbeycatchat.com

I was lucky enough to have a clean (albeit shabby) kitchen to move into, and so, I did it first, along with making up the bed. Since I had some access before the move, I was able to bring in a laundry basket full of essentials- paper products, and coffee maker, a pot, flatware, a couple of dishes and glasses, and bedding, so that I could just collapse when the movers left, and start serious unpacking the next day.

1. Make the bed(s)
2. Stock the bathroom(s) with the essentials (toilet paper, shower curtain, towels, toothbrushes, soap)
3. Set up music and technology (music makes unpacking easier)
4. Then think about organizing the kitchen
5. Living room, dining room, etc. come last

Why isn't the kitchen first? As long as you can get take out, it can wait for a day or two. But you need to sleep, bathe, and use the bathroom in the meantime.

Oh, and last tip. When you unpack, put your belongings where you think they belong, not in a temporary place. This way, when you are done, you are done.

If you have used movers to pack and move, you have a very short timeframe to make claims on damage & breakage...
...so the longer you procrastinate unpacking, the less time you'll have to make that claim and the more likely your claim will be denied.

Therefore, one should unpack the breakables first - china, lamps, mirrors, decorative ceramics, framed artwork - preferably while the movers are still there hauling in the sofas, unrolling the rugs and setting up the beds.

After twenty years in the same house we're going to be moving on...all this advice is very helpful! We've been purging, purging, purging. Why move what you don't want/need? The "me first" box is an excellent idea. Think of it as going camping--what do you need to be comfortable on a camping trip?

always unpack the kitchen and toilet paper first :D haha.

Having just moved in a new place, I found the "me box" very useful.

When we visited, we decided where everything would go in the kitchen, glasses, pots and pans, food, etc. So it was really easy when we actually moved to just put the boxes in front of each cabinets where stuff should belong.

I also came to the conclusion that a complete toolbox, screws and various "fixing" items (ducktape, cabinet liner, x-acto knife, etc.) should be the first thing you bring to your new home alongside the tp and various cleaning items. These are a must.

Oh, and have an emergency kit handy : bandages, sanitizer, soap, aspirin ... We all get cuts and bruises when we move, and it's not time to start looking franctically through all boxes to find a bandage when you're bleeding to death.

So those 3 boxes are the first things I think you should unpack : Me Box, Tools Cleaning box, Emergency Box.

I have used a "open me first" box since a great set of movers made me one: stool, lamp, utility knife, my master list, that sort of thing.

Then I have a "me first" box for each room. One for the bathroom (curtain, mat, towels, TP), one for the bedroom (sheets, pillows), one for the kitchen (plates, knife, spatula, pan or two). With those basics, I can get started.

I try to have one room totally set up as a refuge. I like having one room be made totally normal within the first 48 hours, so when the boxes make me crazy, I can go to my happy place. I always think I'll do the bedroom, but it's been the kitchen the last few times.

I wonder if anyone else has moved into their apartment and had their furniture arrive weeks later? My longest wait was 6 weeks (my stuff got delayed) when I slept on an air mattress and lived out of a carryon size suitcase, but I've also had to wait 10 days, so I have gotten used to having a car-packable setup of bare bones.

The stereo comes out first! It makes the rest of the process much more enjoyable.

Jefral, I found it helpful to have the 'keep me comfy' set be separate from the 'me first'. "Keep me comfy" is a pan, my camping picnic set, an air mattress and sleeping bags, and a folding chair. "Me first" is the stuff I need to begin the process of opening boxes (and put that utility knife in there. You will want it!).

"Keep me comfy" comes with me in my car. "Me first" arrives on the moving truck.

I haven't moved in 26 or 27 years -- but I have helped my partner move in to "our" other home. We both unpack the stereo first! He's a "living room first", and i'm a "bedroom first" -- so we go our separate ways, music blaring, then order in!

I have moved with a 5 year and a 13 month girls....Beds and cribs first! We also packed "overnight bag" with bathroom items and favorite toys. The *BEST* thing that happened is the girls spent the next day with
grandparents and by the time the came home the whole house (1000 sq. ft) was unpacked.

Sorry but one more very important thing! I would spend the day before the move and CLEAN the new place. Bring kids into someone else dirty bathroom or kitchen is just gross!

The first thing I always do is clean. I cannot live in other people's dirt. (Although I'm OK about living in mine!) I always clean and line the kitchen cabinets before putting my dishes away. I won't put my clean dishes on other people's dirt. The good thing about our upcoming move is that we're only moving a half mile away, and we have several weeks to get the house ready before moving in. The house will be cleaned, floors refinished, walls painted, cabinets lined before we move in for good.

Thanks for this post!!!! After moving non-stop for about 30 hours this weekend, the only thing that made me feel accomplished was getting the kitchen in some sort of livable state!

the kitchen first. find the bottle opener, and the rest is 1000 times less painful.

Keep the bottle opener on a titanium chain around your neck.

This post is very timely for me, I'm moving next week for the first time in 15 years. Last time I moved I was a student and I didn't have that much stuff. Luckily it's less than 1 km away and I have a week or two before I have to leave my old apartment completely so I hope it's not going to be too stressful. And there is a huge grocery store next door to my new apartment so I can just run out and buy toilet paper or stuff like that that I can't find in my boxes.

I'm a bit curious since so many people mention having to clean their new apartments. Here in Norway all apartments must be cleaned very thoroughly by the seller or landlord before you move in or you can demand compensation or withhold money until it's cleaned. Isn't that common in other countries?

@Solvi in the US, the term "broom clean" is a commonly used phrase which of course implies not a very thorough cleaning.

I always unpack my bedroom first, I can not sleep in clutter, so that has to be organized and put together and I know I will get a good nights sleep so I can put the rest away

Everything. Seriously. I'm an unstoppable unpacking machine.

Kitchen first. I helped my sister unpack a house worth of stuff into a one-bedroom flat and after the movers brought everything in, there was barely room to move! We shuffled boxes around like a chinese picture puzzle until we found the kitchen stuff (all the boxes were labelled, so it was only a matter of finding them). The kitchen was also the only room with any cupboards! We had to get rid of some boxes before there was room to setup her shelves... then bedroom stuff (and had to hunt up the screwdriver/spanners to set up the bed). We had a guy "helping" us: he put together the stereo/TV and ferried empty boxes downstairs.

Bathroom then kitchen. Everything else comes together later on.

I just moved this weekend and I agree: kitchen is your priority! I unpacked everything and settled it first. Then I unpacked bathroom, washed and hanged the curtains. Settled my bedroom and filled the wardrobe. Last night I took my carpets from cleaner and laid them. My mum came yesterday so I also made the guest bed.

I did it all by my self. My boyfriend only changed the locks and fixed the lamps. Moving is not a nightmare, just be organized and know which box includes what.

@Solvi in Turkey you can deal with the owner. But in any case we clean the house in the end as we usually check the apartment with our shoes when first looking, and don't wear shoes when we move in. Plus, you can never be sure of the hygiene.

I always do the kitchen first just like your mom said, down to the last kitchen related box. I do also have a "first night" box which includes bed sheets, towels, hygienic products, any medication needed, and a change of clothing (or two).

I would agree on the kitchen being unpacked first.

Our last move took place the Friday before Thanksgiving of 2007-I had no choice but to get the kitchen unpacked so that I could make a Thanksgiving feast for us!

We just moved this past weekend and thankfully, I did the kitchen first as well. Too bad the rest of the house still looks like my old house exploded all over the new house.

I can only wish that I had the luxury of unpacking my kitchen first when I moved into the fixer-upper I bought in November . . . but the kitchen needs to be gutted and renovated . . . so my kitchen items remain packed in boxes in the bedroom I've designated for storage. It's a few months away, but I'm soooooooooooo looking forward to having a fully functional kitchen again!

This is such good timing - I am moving Today! The fourth time in 5 years...

And, in fact, the kitchen is going in first. Followed by the "Necessities" trip. (I don't use moving vans, just my friends' and my car) Who knew I'd finally get the system right. :)

Tomorrow the large items and things I have to build go in along with the painting and installs I need to do.

Then, on Saturday the friends arrive to do the "big push" and get everything else moved. There's no hope in getting people to help on Sunday, who wants to move while there's a Super Bowl?

It should work out to be my fastest move yet. :)

Thanks for all the moving posts! I have absorbed all the info!

I just moved into a larger apt. this past week and while I did have a basket of "me first" items (dinner/cookware for one, TP/toiletries), the first thing I set up was my computer. :p For someone who spends a lot of time in front of the comp, it was comforting to relax in a chair for a little while and practice some of the old routine as I listened to the foreign sounds of my new place/neighborhood and considered what I wanted to do first. I tossed my mattress onto the floor and collapsed on it for the first night, but the next morning putting the bed frame together was the top priority. Then cleaning, cleaning, cleaning for the "vintage" kitchen and bath. I'm still cleaning, slowly working through the mountain of boxes in the living room, and checking AT for decor inspiration. :)