Unpack Like A Pro: Hacks For A Faster, Smoother Home Setup

Want to pack or move your belongings like professionals? Read our blog posts that will help you manage relocation process with ease.

Unpack Like A Pro: Hacks For A Faster, Smoother Home Setup

Apr 14, 2025

Yes! Moving is tough. But do you know what else is similarly tough? Unpacking and setting up your new home from square zero. While the thrill of “something new” often motivates people through the packing process, the real challenge begins once you have to unpack everything and set up the new home in a manner that is both aesthetic and functional to your daily needs.

The boxes seem endless; the furniture needs assembling; your kitchenware needs to be set up–overwhelming for many. Without a proper plan, this stage may stretch on for weeks, leaving you living out of cartons and scrambling to find your essentials. So, let’s look at some hacks to smooth things out a bit.

Whether you’re relocating across towns or shifting to the suburbs with the help of cheap Removalists Perth, unpacking doesn’t need to be an overly complicated or chaotic event. This article will offer you some practical, easy to follow hacks or strategies to streamline the process of setting up your new home. These tips will help you settle in faster, feel at home sooner and allow you to leave the stress of moving behind.

1. Start with a Plan, Not Just Boxes

Before you start tearing into every one of your boxes, take a moment to strategise first. Begin by identifying the priority areas–usually the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Labelled boxes will be your best friend here, especially if you’ve followed a colour coded system during the packing process. Assign a specific colour to each room and label both the box and the destination room–this simple trick will save you time and assist your helpers in understanding where to place the boxes.

Creating a room by room unpacking checklist will also keep you focused. Prioritise which boxes to unpack based on your most immediate needs and frequency of use. Remember: it’s not about speed here; it’s about efficiency.

2. Tackle Essentials First

woman unpacking a cardboard box

Your first night in the new house should feel like a home, not like you’re out on a camping trip. Unpack an “essentials box” packed specifically for this moment – in it include things like bedding, basic kitchen supplies, toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers and important documents. Keep it with you during the move instead of loading this onto the truck.

If you’ve worked with a team of expert Removalists Perth, you might even request this box to be clearly marked and loaded last onto the truck– so that it comes out first. Once all your essentials are in place, you’ll feel more in control and ready to face the rest of the house.

3. Use Furniture Placement as Your Foundation

Before opening boxes, arrange your large furniture – knowing where your bed, couch, or dining table will go provides a spatial framework for arranging everything else. This also prevents you from unpacking items only to shuffle them around later. Sketch a basic layout of your rooms ahead of time or use a floor planning app to visualise the placement of different things. Once all the big items are in place, everything else can flow naturally. For example, setting up your wardrobe makes it easier to unpack clothing. Similarly, installing shelving or organising kitchen cabinets first gives you a designated spot for unpacked items.

4. Create a “No Clutter” Zone

The key to a smooth unpacking experience is keeping the clutter under control. Assign a space in each room to collect all the packing materials—boxes, bubble wrap, and paper. As soon as you empty a box, break it down and store it flat or recycle it. Clutter slows you down and adds to the feeling of chaos. Resist the temptation to “just leave it here for now.” Those items tend to linger far longer than expected, so be intentional with every item you unpack, placing it where it truly belongs right from the start.

5. Make the Kitchen Functional—Not Perfect

The kitchen is often the most time consuming room to unpack. Focus on functionality first, not perfection. Experienced Removalists Perth will often recommend that you get your cooking basics out, like the plates, cutlery, cookware, and pantry items and set them in their proper place so that you can start preparing your meals. Organise major appliances and find temporary homes for smaller gadgets.

Later on, once the initial chaos has died down, revisit the setup to refine it. You might realise that the toaster’s better off near the fridge or that you need more vertical storage; the important part here is getting the kitchen usable quickly so daily routines aren’t disrupted too much.

6. Set Up Bedrooms for Rest and Recharging

A well organised bedroom can feel like a sanctuary after a long day of unpacking. Start with the bed—assemble it, lay out fresh sheets, and unpack nightstand essentials like lamps, phone chargers, and any medications. If you’ve labelled your boxes well, this should be a quick to do.

Don’t stress about decorating immediately. Focus on comfort first. Once you’re rested, you’ll have more energy and a clearer head to unpack and decorate other rooms. Your bedroom is where you recharge—make it restful, even if it’s minimal at the start.

7. Personal Touches Come Last

It’s tempting to dive into décor early, but don’t rush it. Hang art, display keepsakes, and style your shelves only after you’ve fully unpacked. This lets you see how each room flows and prevents having to rearrange things later on. Wait until the dust settles. This gives you time to figure out the room’s function, lighting, and traffic flow. A thoughtful touch here and there, added gradually, will feel more intentional than a hurried decorating sprint.

Hacks For A Faster, Smoother Home Setup

tips to unpack after a move

Wrapping Up

The unpacking process is often underestimated but if you plan for it well, it can act as a good foundation for creating the overall flow of your home. So take a deep breath, follow these hacks, and before you know it, you’ll be sipping tea in your new living room, surrounded not by boxes but by a space that already feels like home. Happy Moving!