10 Steps to Stress-Free Unpacking

August 05, 2025

Unpacking after a move often starts out feeling like a fresh start, but can soon shift to feeling overwhelmed at the enormity of the task. With endless boxes creating chaos, it’s easy to want to give up on the unpacking process entirely. Planning, prepping, and prioritizing are key for a smoother unpacking process. Whether the Rodney Carroll Team helps you find your forever home, facilitates a custom build, or offers a temporary stop on your journey, we have plenty of practical tips to make the unpacking experience as stress-free as possible.

Think Strategically! Before ripping open that first box, take a breath and create a game plan. Jot down an unpacking priority list that starts with those rooms you will live in first. Typically, that means the kitchen and bathrooms with the bedrooms and living room coming soon after. Focus on functionality in round one and save the personalization for later. Make it even easier by labeling moving boxes clearly and writing “FIRST” on boxes that hold daily essentials.
Sleepover Essentials: Approach the first few nights in your home the same as you would if you were going away for the weekend. Whether using a packing box or a suitcase, pack toiletries, clean bedding, pajamas, a few changes of clothes, medications, chargers, and pet supplies. Coffee drinkers–make sure to have your brewer within arms’ reach and don’t forget to keep a mug or two ready for action!
Start in the Bathroom: Many new homeowners dig into unpacking in the kitchen or bedrooms, but really, the bathroom is the ideal place to start. At the end of a long day filled with lifting, lugging, and unloading, a hot shower will be amazing–but not if you have to dig through box after box to find your towels, toothpaste, shower curtain, or shampoo. Setting up at least one fully functional bathroom will be a welcome win! Pro-tip: Arrive at your new home with a new package of toilet tissue and hand soap!
Make the Beds Early: It’s easy to forget how exhausting moving is, but many are reminded quickly as they unpack. By the time the day turns to dusk, participants are ready to fall into bed to recover. Get those beds assembled and made early in the unpacking process! Even if the rest of the house remains a bit chaotic, the ability to climb into a comfy bed will be a cherished gift after a long day.
Prioritize the Kitchen: The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it is also a bit more complicated than other spaces to unpack. Without knowing exactly how your kitchen will function, deciding on where to put small appliances, pots, or essentials can be overwhelming. Aim for minimal functionality, at first, with a nod to future organization as life settles down. Plan on prepping simple meals to reduce expenses on take-out and worry about refining the kitchen space later.
Set Up those Smaller Family Members! Whether moving with children, pets, or both, it’s important to give each their own space as quickly as possible to reduce stress. For children, unpacking as a team while allowing them to arrange toys and books. This will give them the comfort of control in the chaos of a move. Seeing familiar items will ease that stress! For pets, start smaller by setting up their beds and feeding station in a quiet corner to settle in before introducing them to the rest of the house.
Now? The Rest of the House! Now that the essentials are handled, start moving from room to room to unpack and organize rather than bouncing from space to space. Start with one area and stick with it until it's finished before moving on. This will reduce clutter and mental exhaustion. It will also keep your momentum going while lowering that feeling of “this is never-ending…” because you will see progress at each stopping point!
Delay the Decor: Avoid the temptation to hang every picture and arrange every shelf to perfection. Give yourself time to live in and get to know your new home instead. Once you see how the light moves throughout the day or how your family flows from room to room, you will have a better idea of how to decorate successfully. The personalization process should be gradual and with no rush to the finish line.
Real-Time Recycling: Unpacking will go faster if you eliminate trash and clutter along the way. Break down boxes as they are emptied and set them aside (out of the way) for recycling or reuse. If you’ve used a moving company, ask if they will take their boxes back! An easy (and bad) habit to start is simply tossing empty boxes in the garage “for now.” They multiply quickly!
Find the Fun! Many would never use the words “fun” and “unpacking” in the same sentence, but there are ways to merge the two! Create a family playlist to blast during the process, reward yourself with a favorite snack after each room is finished, invite friends over to assist (pizza is a great form of bribery), and put a date on the calendar for a mini-housewarming party.

If you still have boxes left in the weeks after your move, don’t despair! Relocation is an enormous undertaking that many underestimate until they are deep in the moving mud. If you’ve handled the essentials and created a livable, comfortable space, celebrate that win! Continue to set small goals (a closet a day, a room per weekend) and soon, your move will be complete.

The Rodney Carroll Team can help you find the perfect home--whether a charming older space or a brand-new build. Once you get your new house keys, the reality of unpacking arrives quickly and often with a thud. Start with the essentials, working room by room, and keep a relaxed, realistic mindset. This is your home, now! Take your time and take pride in every completed task.

Ready to make a move? Reach out to the Rodney Carroll Team today to find the perfect place to unpack!