Pack a first-night bag that stays with you
Gather the things you’ll need before you open the main boxes. Think of a night away from home and add whatever you would otherwise have to look for at short notice. If you have children or pets, put their familiar essentials in an easily reached bag of their own.
- A change of clothes, toiletries, towels and toilet paper.
- Phone chargers, keys and any medication you normally take.
- Bed linen and the few kitchen items you’ll use the first evening or morning.
Make the bed and bathroom usable
Put the bedding on the bed before you start on drawers or decor. Set out a towel and the bathroom essentials. Keep walking routes clear and choose one spot for boxes that can wait. If a room is crowded, unpack only what you can put straight away.
Set up a working kitchen before the whole kitchen
Unpack cups, plates, cutlery and the equipment you use for a straightforward meal. Keep those items close to where you’ll use them. Give your usual cooking and breakfast supplies temporary homes, then revise the setup once you have cooked and put things away a few times.
Leave seasonal items, decorations and serving pieces until the main rooms work. Flatten empty boxes as you go and keep one small box for anything whose home you’re still deciding.