Though the Movers and Stagers handle the heavy lifting and furniture set up, there is still work ahead. Dozens of boxes need to be unpacked. Here are tips from the trenches on how to efficiently unpack and set up house:
Address function first: Eat, sleep, bathe. These are the essentials. Shoot to have the basics in place in kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms first. (When packing Write “first” on the boxes with essential items in each of those areas that you will need to open right away, like the one with the coffee maker and the corkscrew.)
Work big to small: Once your big pieces are where you want them, and your basic living areas — closets, baths, kitchens — are in order, work your way down to little stuff. Don’t hang art or place lamps or accessories until rooms have the right furniture flow.
Don’t default decorate: Just because you have always put the candelabra on the coffee table, does not mean it can’t go on the kitchen table or bedroom dresser. Try to view your items through the fresh eyes of the home-staging fairies. Shake stuff up.
Deboxify: As you empty a box, break it down to recycle. I get a huge feeling of satisfaction when flattened empty boxes pile up.