8 Forgotten Things You’ll Need Before the Furniture Arrives

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These tools may sound like obvious essentials, but you’ll be surprised how easy it is to forget them during the midst of chaos on moving day. Sometimes we focus too much on packing and forget what we need for unpacking. Be sure to pack these eight items, along with your overnight suitcase, and take them with you for quick and easy access in your new, empty home. 

Pen & Paper

​Keep a notepad and pen nearby to jot down reminders, names, and numbers when the phone rings. Make a list of tasks you’ll need to complete over the next few days and organize them in priority order. Inspect and record anything you find in the new house that might need to be repaired so you can research it later. Post-It notes are a great tool for marking where you want the furniture to go and how much space it will take. Before the movers arrive with your delivery, stick notes on the walls detailing the items being placed in each room.    

Tape Measure

If you know the measurements of your furniture (or have it written down), then visualizing how much space each piece uses will be much easier to predict. Grab a tape measure and map it out so you see how everything fits in each room before the movers arrive. Planning in advance will prevent you from having to relocate heavy items yourself. Be prepared to tell the movers where you want each item to go so you’re not deciding on the spot.  

Box Cutter

You won’t use it until you start unpacking, but it’s always good to have a box cutter handy after you move. Don’t waste time scratching the edges of the tape hoping it lifts enough for you to pull it off the box. Eventually, adhesive will stick to your hands, leaving you with sticky fingers. A box cutter can help you quickly open boxes and dismantle them for recycling. Be sure to remove any plastic, paper, or decals that may be on or inside your boxes. Cut the tape then fold the box flat before following your housing development’s guidelines for recycling.  

Garbage Bags

Packing materials that come out of moving boxes can create an overwhelming amount of garbage. As you unpack, separate materials, and fill bags for recycling and trash. Take the bags outside in shifts, following your housing development’s instructions, so you don’t overload the bins, especially if you’re moving into an apartment complex. 

Entertainment 

Having something to listen to while you’re unpacking will make you more productive. Download music, shows, or podcasts onto your phone or tablet. Remember, your cellular data plan is the only internet available unless you have purchased a mobile hotspot like Straight Talk. Don’t forget the charging cables and/or batteries for your electronics. Be sure to call the cable/satellite company and set up an appointment for installation as soon as possible.     

Takeout Menus & Apps

​Setting up your new home is a long process that’s especially challenging during the first few days. You’re exerting tons of energy unpacking and buzzing around the house, trying to figure out the best place to put things. It’s not until your stomach gurgles that you ask, ‘What’s good to eat around here?’ and ‘Which restaurants deliver to my area?’. Take the guesswork out of eating and pick up some local takeout menus during the drive to the new house or download a food delivery app in advance. Digital Trends suggests these nine Best Food-Delivery Apps. When you have time, locate the nearest grocery store and pick up some basic food that doesn’t require much cooking.

Shower Curtain

After a tiring day, you’ll be looking forward to a relaxing shower—unless you forgot the shower curtain. If it was packed in a box, hopefully you know which one. It’s likely you remembered to pack a towel, toiletries, clothes, and toilet paper in your overnight suitcase—and if not, here’s a friendly reminder—but the shower curtain is not something we often think about leaving outside the box. During your downtime, hang up the shower curtain in the bathroom before you get tired.

Soaps & Detergents 

End a long day with a good night’s rest. Bring laundry detergent and softener or dryer sheets so you’ll have clean bedding on the first night in your new house. Wash and dry the bedding during the day while you’re busy with other tasks. Be sure to also buy dish soap (or detergent, if using the dishwasher), hand soap for the bathrooms, and cleaning supplies (if you didn't use a deep cleaning service).  

How We Can Help

The move may be over, but the unpacking has just begun. If it sounds like a nightmare—it is—but it doesn’t have to be. Keller Moving offers an unpacking service to ease the stress and help you enjoy your new home faster. We’ll unpack the boxes and haul the materials away. Your belongs will be carefully laid out for you to organize and store. Contact us if you're interested in learning more about our unpacking services. We wish you a smooth transition into your new home.