Before a move, you are inundated with deadlines. You know you have to be packed by a certain time and you have to move out by a certain date. However, once the chaos is over and your belongings arrive at your new home, you are left with a mountain of boxes and no clear deadline of when they need to be unpacked. Many people are so tired at this point that they allow those boxes to sit unpacked for way too long, and this can lead to a great deal of frustration. It’s important to remember that unpacking is the last part of the moving process so you don’t want to put it off. Fortunately, these tips and tricks will help you speed up the unpacking process so you can get settled into your new home in no time.

1. Only Pack What You Need

How you pack affects how quickly you can unpack. When packing, take the time to sort through items, getting rid of items you no longer want or need. Only bring items that you plan to keep and use, as this will eliminate the need for unpacking unnecessary items. Reducing the amount of items you pack will make the unpacking process go much more smoothly.

2. Label Your Boxes

This is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to speed up the unpacking process. You want to make sure every box is clearly labeled with the contents as well as the room where it should be assigned. This ensures that the movers place it in the correct room on moving day. This also saves you a great deal of time sifting through boxes, as you will already know the specific contents of each box.

3. Create an Unpacking Schedule

Just as you followed a schedule for packing your boxes, you want to do the same when it comes to unpacking. An unpacking schedule will help you stay focused so you can accomplish a certain number of boxes each day. This is a great way to stay organized while also speeding up the process. Decide which rooms you will unpack first and what system works best for you. For example, will you be unpacking by room or by category. You also want to have a plan for where everything will go. If you have a designated place for your belongings beforehand, it will speed up the process immensely.

4. Unpack Essentials First

You should have packed an essentials box prior to your move and this should be the first thing you unpack upon arrival at your destination. This box would include things like toiletries, medications, snacks, and other necessities that you will need right away.

5. Go Room to Room

For most people, the thought of unpacking their entire home can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s best to chunk it into smaller, more manageable tasks by unpacking one room at a time. You should always start with the bedroom first so you have a place to sleep the first night in your new home. You want to set up your bed and unpack sheets, bedding, and pillows first. This ensures that you will at least get a good night’s sleep after a long day of moving. Next, plan to unpack one room at a time, prioritizing them by which you use most often.

6. Fight the Urge to Procrastinate

Though it’s understandable that you will be exhausted after a move, it’s important that you don’t procrastinate when it comes to unpacking. Doing so will only lead to more frustration down the road. Rather, follow your unpacking schedule and set goals for yourself each day. Be sure to work breaks into your schedule and rest when needed, but fight the urge to let those boxes sit untouched for too long.

7. Enlist Help

Like anything else, two sets of hands are better than one so enlist the help of family members or friends to help speed up the process. You may be the one that knows where everything goes, but you can always use helpers to take items out of the boxes while you put things away. Not only can this make the process more efficient, but everything is more fun with a buddy!