Moving is one of life’s biggest challenges, and without a plan, things can quickly turn chaotic. That’s why staying organized is essential. It’s not just essential for the move itself, but for making your first days in your new home feel smooth and stress-free.
Our MVM labeling and unpacking guide is designed to create clarity before the chaos begins.
Create a Plan
Before you tape up the first box, decide on your unpacking order.
- Choose your “day one” rooms: Aside from essential items you’ll keep with you, think about which space will set the tone for comfort and function.
- Kitchen: Coffee, snacks, and the ability to cook a simple meal go a long way in keeping energy up during unpacking.
- Bedroom: Setting up your bed and personal space gives you a sense of normalcy and a place to relax away from moving-day mess.
- Shared spaces and storage areas: Tackle these last to round out your home’s functionality.
- Fragile items and environmentally conscious packing: Consider using MVM’s blue bins for fragile items. They have hard protective sides that keep valuables safer than cardboard boxes and are delivered 7 days before your move and picked up 5 days after. This will give you a full 12-day rental period to pack, move, and unpack without feeling rushed.
Label by Priority and Contents
When unpacking, avoid digging through boxes for essentials like your toothbrush or phone charger by setting up a priority system. You can use color-coded tape or stickers to mark “Day One,” “First Week,” and “Non-urgent” items, or number boxes in the order you plan to unpack them. Make sure to match the same system on your moving checklist so your boxes and inventory stay perfectly aligned, making unpacking faster and less stressful.
Labeling each box goes beyond just writing the room name. Be specific—for example, write “Kitchen: Mugs, Plates, Silverware” instead of simply “Kitchen.” Include any special instructions such as Fragile or This Side Up, using bold letters for breakable items. Label at least two adjacent sides plus the top so the contents are always visible while unpacking, no matter how the boxes are stacked.
Keep an Inventory
When you have dozens (or hundreds) of boxes, an inventory list keeps things from going missing.
- Number your boxes: Use numbers to label each box and track them in a self-made system, such as a spreadsheet, to ensure all items end up in the correct place.
- Track progress: Cross off the box number in your system once it has been unpacked.
- Spot missing items: If anything is missing, it will be easy to identify right away.
Final Thought
Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With smart labeling and a simple system, unpacking becomes faster and less stressful. Let MVM handle the heavy lifting.
Contact us today to see how we can help!