So, we’ve showed you the best tips on how to pack up all your things for a move.
You might be thinking “Okay, Platinum. I followed your advice on that… but, now what do I do with all these boxes filled with stuff?!”
No worries — we’ve got tips lined up for unpacking, too.
1. Clean everything up
- Take advantage of an empty apartment
- Wipe down the surfaces of every room
- Don’t count on your landlord for a thorough cleanse
2. Make a plan
- Map out how you want to place your furniture
- If you have the physical floor plan, draw directly on it
- It helps even more if you know all the dimensions
- You’ll avoid having to rearrange furniture over and over
- It’ll save you time and energy later on
3. Organize your boxes
- Get everything out of the moving truck
- Tackle one room at a time
- Unpack only the essentials before anything else
4. Prioritize: Bedroom → Kitchen → Bathroom
- This is the order of rooms to unpack first (think: Feng Shui Trinity)
- Set up a spot to crash – no one wants to make their bed after a long day of unpacking!
- Make sure there’s food and water available for you and the movers
- Don’t forget you’ll need toilet paper!
5. Check off as you go
- Remember the inventory list of boxes you made while you were packing?
- Now is the time to check off items as you unpack!
- You’ll know if:
- something is missing
- something broke on the way
6. Wait ‘til you’re done to set up the TV
- Having the TV in plain sight is a huge distraction
- You don’t want to be tempted to sit down for a Bravo TV marathon
- You don’t want to fall asleep on the couch during the marathon
- Next thing you know… it’s day 2 and you still don’t have a coffee table
- Set up a stereo or speakers instead
- Listening to your favorite music can make unpacking more fun
7. Non-essentials
- Work your way a room at a time
- Start unpacking the left over boxes
- If you’re moving during the summer, leave your winter clothes in storage
- If you’re moving during the winter, leave your summer clothes in storage
8. Avoid chaos
- Break down boxes as you go
- Throw away any excess wrapping or packaging materials
- You’ll be able to see your progress as the boxes dwindle
- Routinely clean up – don’t let the dust from the boxes accumulate on the floor
9. Decorate!
- It’s your home, make it feel that way
- Add your own personal touches
- Check out some antique shops nearby for cool décor
- Consider space-saving furniture and decorations
10. Don’t obsess!
- The goal is to unpack, not to have everything perfect right away
- Unpacking shouldn’t take weeks, but it usually isn’t done in a couple hours
- If you need a break, take a break!
Summary
Now that you know the best ways to pack and unpack, the transition into your new NYC apartment should be a smooth one.
If you’re still on the hunt to find your new apartment, you can:
- Browse through our listings
- Learn more about neighborhoods in NYC
- Contact Platinum Properties at (212) 825-0050.