As strange as it may sound, home improvement for a long-distance move starts even before you arrive at your new place of residence. When you move to another country or state, it means that you are moving into a completely empty home that you have not had time to get in order for your move.
Let’s get started; what is the first thing you can do? Here are some tips from our moving company LD Movers. First of all, you need to take care of what you will need in your new home. And already, with this level of preparation, you can easily bring the house in a cozy condition.
Gathering the Necessary Minimum for the First Time after the Move
1. Food and Drinks for the First time
In addition to dinner for the evening of the move, you can pack a bag of easy-to-prepare foods and snacks: juices, nuts, fruit, and cooked breakfasts. Also, food that can be cooked or heated in the microwave.
2. Clothing and Shoes for the First time
Prepare a basic set of clothes so you don’t have to wash and dry them in the first week after the move.
3. Towels, Hygiene Products, Hair Dryer
These things should be in close reach. It will be ideal to pack a separate bag of bath products that you can take into the bathroom right away.
4. Bedding, Blankets, Pillows
For these items, it is better to allocate one large bag with sturdy handles. These are often lightweight items, but they are very bulky. Another option is a large bag, which can be tied with twine to make it convenient to take from any side.
5. Children’s Clothes
It is better to pack children’s clothes together with children’s toys because the volume of clothes will be smaller than adult clothes, so it will not be possible to pack adult and children’s closets together in such a way that it is convenient. Use vacuum bags and boxes. Bulky toys and constructors are better transported in-store packages.
6. First aid Kit
Medicines should be packed in a plastic bag to protect them from accidental moisture. In case the move is delayed, it is better to store medicines that need to be kept cold in a cooler bag.
7. Household Chemicals
Bulk substances – various powders and soda. It is worth moving into containers with a tight lid. Vials with cosmetics, too, to protect other things from accidental spillage of liquid.
8. Pet Supplies and Food
If you suddenly couldn’t get your animals to a relative or friend’s house for moving day and you’re moving with them, take care of three things:
- toys for the road;
- drink;
- food.
Your pet should have constant access to water and think about favourite treats to cheer your pet up in a difficult and stressful situation.
9. Phone and Tablet Chargers
It’s best to put all chargers in one box. Don’t forget to charge your tech as much as possible before moving day to stay connected.
10. Office Knife or Scissors
When packing and then unpacking, you’ll always need both scissors and a knife – it’s best to put them in a small belt bag with all the essentials.
11. Important Documents
When moving, you may suddenly need some documents related to the apartment, so it is better not to put them far away. Do not put them in a cardboard box, as they can get lost among other things. The most practical option is a dense waterproof folder with a large number of compartments where all the papers will fit.
12. Disposable Tableware
Buy a set of disposable dishes for the first 2-3 days after the move, so you don’t have to search for a box of plates or wash dishes. It’s convenient and practical!
You can exhale! You’re glad the move is finally over, right? But no, wait, that’s not all! Now, you have to start unpacking all those boxes. And it’s worth preparing for that, too.
Sort the Boxes into Their Designated Rooms in Advance
Stacking all your boxes in one pile in the middle of the hallway will only create confusion. Plus, it’ll take a long time to get rid of a pile of boxes. Instead, try distributing the boxes to the right rooms as the movers bring them in from the van.
If, during the packing process, you labelled each container according to which room it’s for, great. If not, navigate by the label on the box or packing material to recognise the contents.
Start with the Main Rooms
Better yet, start with the essentials. A box of essentials, thoughtfully packed with necessities like toothbrushes and other personal hygiene items, prescribed medications, bedding, a kettle, instant noodles and a box opener, can be a real lifesaver.
Once you’ve found that box, continue unpacking through the rooms of your new home, starting with the most paramount. For most people, this will probably be the bathroom (toilet paper, towels and shower curtain – bingo!), followed by the kitchen and kids’ rooms. However, your itinerary may be different.
Make a Daily Plan
To make the period after the move go more smoothly, make a daily plan for the first time. In addition to the unpacking process, your plan will likely include scheduling maintenance visits to connect utilities and necessary appliances, as well as cleaning and organising your belongings.
Don’t Overdo It
After you’ve unpacked the essentials, calm down and take a break. You’re probably already quite tired from the move itself, plus the packing and preparation, especially if you had to organise everything in a hurry.
Unpacking and settling in at a measured pace will help you use your energy wisely and not overwork yourself. This approach will also leave you feeling positive and excited about your new home, whether you take time out to take a nap on the couch (it looks great in your new living room, right?) or go for a walk and check out your new neighbourhood.
Arrange the Furniture
Pro tip: A floor plan helps make arranging furniture a couple of trivia questions. Your realtor may have provided such plans before you even moved in.
If not, try making your own using some room design software (or a rough pencil sketch – you’re not designing a bridge). Then, determine where the furniture will be best placed. Larger electronics, such as TVs or multimedia centres, should be installed only after all the furniture is in place.
Make Unpacking Fun
Unpacking doesn’t have to be a boring activity. There’s nothing wrong with pulling out your favourite books or hanging valuable artwork before you start unpacking pots and pans. To get the whole family involved, create a fun team spirit. Offer small prizes, such as “the first person to finish the box gets to choose where we order dinner.”
We’re Here to Help
Whatever stage of the move you’re currently in, we can help – to the extent you need us to. We are a moving company with flexible moving rates, so you can order only the services you need: moving, packing, storage containers, unpacking only, etc. The choice is completely up to you.
Not sure where to start? Let’s talk it through. Contact us for a free and no-obligation estimate for professional, personalised moving services.
