Moving day is over and it is time to start unpacking, you may feel overwhelmed by the bare walls and the stacks of boxes surrounding you. If you start unpacking in an organized manner you can make the transition to your new home less stressful and more rewarding. Use the unpacking tips below, not only you’ll save time but also you’ll make it fun:

1. Clean and Prep Your New Home
It could be very tempting to dive right in and start unloading boxes, but keep in mind the following preparation tips:

• If you are considering painting rooms a different color, or stenciling around an archway, this is the time to do it so you don’t damage any of you belongings.
• It’s easier to wipe down shelves, clean windows, and mop under appliances before your belongings are in place.

• Complete any prep work. Line kitchen and bathroom shelves with paper. Consider installing closet systems in bedroom closets, if necessary. Once these jobs are done, you’ll be able to unpack more efficiently.
• Plan where to place certain items. Deciding what goes where before unpacking will save you time in the long run.

2. Unpack boxes mark as Essentials First
You should have a few boxes of essentials marked to be unpacked first (as I mentioned in my previous blog on Tips for moving this summer). Go ahead and unpack these boxes right away and distribute these essential items to their respective rooms.

3. Go Room by Room

Though it can feel like an insurmountable task, rest assured: Your house is going to feel like home in no time!

Kitchen: Unpack most-used items first and set it up enough to function. Items that you won’t use immediately can be set aside to unpack at a later time.

Baths: In the bathrooms, hang shower curtains, unpack toiletries and put out toilet paper and soap. Resist the urge to unpack right away everything that belongs in the Bathroom.

Bedrooms. If you don’t get to the bedrooms on the first night, don’t be upset. Drag mattresses and pillows together in one room and have a family camp-out. It will add to the sense of adventure. Unpacking your clothing and bedroom accessories can wait. Allow each bedroom habitant to unpack and arrange his or her personal belongings. Remember that professional movers will reassemble any beds which were dissembled.

Living Room: Unpacking the living room should be a combined effort by everyone in the household. Before you even start draw and sketch of how the furniture will be placed. It’s much easier to erase a rectangle that designates a couch and pencil it in somewhere else than it is for 3 or 4 people to lift and move the actual couch around the room. And, it could save you a trip to the chiropractor. Afterwards, there will be a lot of decorations to be placed and electronics to hook up, so make it a family task.

Garage: Avoid making piles of things to organize later. Set up shelves and hooks before you even start unpacking. Having an organized garage is important, place tools, yard supplies and sports equipment at the right place on the first attempt.

4. Play Interior Designer

• Hang shades, blinds or curtains for instant privacy and a homey feel.
• Brighten up a room with self-adhesive wallpaper borders.
• Refinish old cabinets or add new knobs.
• Add potted plants for extra color or to fill empty corners.

• Place family pictures, artwork, mirrors and other decorations to create focal points or to use natural light to your benefit.

Tips for Setting Up
• As boxes are unpacked, take an inventory of everything you have to make sure nothing has been lost. If you have any broken or damaged items, make sure to keep them as evidence for insurance claims. Claims usually need to be filed within a set number of days after the move.
• Use a surge protector when setting up a computer or stereo equipment.
• As you unpack boxes, collapse them for storage or recycling.
• Start a log of home repairs and maintenance that needs to be done.
• Create a shopping list to make sure you have everything you need.

Take this as one more great opportunity to evaluate your belongings, specially if you move from out of State, to see whether more items can be discarded or donated to charity.  Things that were very useful up north may be worthless here in Pembroke Pines as the weather is warmer and the winter is not as cold. Get as much information as you can about Pembroke Pines, focus on grocery shopping places, schools and home essentials. In my website you’ll find a wealth of information about the area or you can always contact me with any questions.