The big day is finally here! It’s moving day! You’ve packed up your entire house and you’re ready to move onto this next journey. Follow our moving tips so that your first night in your new home is relaxing and enjoyable.
Pack Bags For Yourself
In addition to packing all your belongings into moving boxes, it’s a great idea to pack yourself two boxes for your first night in the new house. The first box should contain First Night Essentials, while the second box should be filled with Home Essentials.
BOX 1: FIRST NIGHT ESSENTIALS
You’ll want to set a box aside for everything you’ll need on your first night after moving. Make sure to clearly label this box so you can find it once you’re moved in.
Sheets/Blankets/Pillows
You’ll want to make sure you have all of the dressings to make a comfortable bed. Make sure that you have sheets, blankets, and pillows you need to ensure that your first night in your new house is complete with a comfortable, relaxing sleep.
Toiletries
Obviously, you’ll want to brush your teeth, moisturize your skin, and maybe even take care of your hair on your first night, but you won’t want to dig through boxes to find your stuff. This is why it’s a good idea to have a bag of travel-size toiletries you can use while you’re still going through the unpacking process.
Something to Watch TV On
You can only do so much moving and unpacking in one night. Instead of overexerting yourself and getting tired and overwhelmed, it’s a great idea to take a break.
If your cable and internet aren’t set up yet, you’ll want to bring a laptop with a few Blu Rays or DVDs. There’s something especially calming about unwinding with a good movie in your new home. We highly recommend it.
Chargers
Whether it’s your laptop, cell phone, or tablet, you’ll want to make sure that all of your electronics are fully charged. You’ll need some kind of entertainment once you’re settled into your new home, so it’s a good idea to have all of your chargers readily available
Wallet
This one may seem like a no brainer, but many people accidentally pack away their wallet amongst their belongings. Whether you’re tipping your neighbor, buying gas, or ordering dinner, chances are you’ll need access to your wallet at some point during your move.
You’ll want to keep that either directly on yourself or packed at the top of your First Night Box so it’s readily accessible. It’s also a good idea to double-check you have all your credit cards and a sensible amount of cash in your wallet.
Medicine
If you have any prescriptions, you’ll also want to make sure you have easy access to them. Few things are more stressful than digging through boxes, trying to find your medications. Double check that all of your pills are safely stored away in your First Night Box.
Pajamas and Extra Clothes
Of course, all of your clothes have been packed away in boxes for weeks before the move. However, you’ll still clothes to sleep in during your first night, and you’ll also want to have clothes ready to change into for your second day.
At the very least, pack a pair of sweatpants, two tee shirts, a sweatshirt, jeans, socks, underwear, and sneakers with you!
That should cover everything you’ll need to have a successful moving night, but you’ll want to pack a separate box as well, filled with everything you’ll need for your new house during your first night.
BAG 2: HOME ESSENTIALS
Trash bags
As you begin unpacking and becoming acquainted with your new home, you’ll probably need to throw some stuff out. Whether there are items left behind by the previous owner or you’ve overpacked, chances are you’re going to need to get rid of some stuff.
Instead of having to pause your progress to run to the convenience store for trash bags, make sure to pack your own!
Towels
Moving day is long and exhausting. After you’ve gotten settled in your new home, you might want to unwind by taking a shower or bath. As you may have already experienced, nothing can halt the relaxation like having to search for a towel.
Make sure to add a towel or two to your Home Essentials Box. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to toss a fresh bar of soap in there as well!
Paper Towels, Tissues, and Toilet Paper
Whether it’s a spill in the kitchen or your body properly functioning, you’ll more than likely need some kind of paper product. It’s a good idea to pack at least one roll of paper towels, one box of tissues, and one roll of toilet paper in your Home Essentials Box.
Lightbulbs
You’ll also want to have a few light bulbs with you, in case you need to add some additional light. While you can’t directly guess the correct wattage, a few 60 watt lightbulbs are usually a safe bet.
Laundry Detergent
During the unpacking process, you may have gotten some clothes dirty. Or maybe you didn’t wash your clothes before packing them. If you want to do a load of laundry on your first night, you’ll want to also have the laundry detergent handy.
Cleaning Products
A big part of moving into a new house involves cleaning your new home. Whether it’s the bathroom, tiles, kitchen, or wood floor, it’s highly likely that there’s at least one area you’ll want to clean. Having an assortment of different cleaning products ready will make this process more efficient, so you’ll be able to spend less time looking for products and more time doing some of the more fun elements of moving in.
Flashlight
It’s always a good idea to have a flashlight with you, just in case.
Toolbox
You never know what might need fixing. Pipes could be leaking. A cabinet could be falling off its hinges. You might need to install new smoke detectors. Whatever minor home improvement projects you decide to tackle on night one, you’ll want to have easy access to your toolbox.
Paper Plates/Utensils
No one wants to dig through boxes for the fine china on their first night in a new home. Instead, make sure to pack some paper plates and utensils in your Home Essentials Box. They don’t take up much space and offer quick, easy clean-up, because you won’t want to spend your first night doing dishes.
Something to Toast With
Every new home should be properly toasted. Whether it’s champagne, sparkling cider, soda, or even water, it’s a nice idea to commemorate your big move with a toast. Pack a bottle in your Home Essentials Box so you’ll have something to look forward to once you’ve completed all of your first night priorities.
First Night Tips
If you pack those two boxes with the above moving checklist, you should be all set for a successful first night. If you’d like to yield even greater success, follow our First Night Tips!
Unpack Slowly
Don’t get too ambitious with unpacking on your first night. It could very easily become overwhelming. Start slowly unpacking things as you need them. This is your new house, so there’s no rush; it’s all on your timeline.
Move Boxes into Specific Rooms
Instead of going straight towards unpacking, consider spending some time making sure each box is in its correct room. If you have lamps and an end table in one box, make sure to put tht box in the living room instead of lea ving it in the kitchen. This could save you precious time once you’re in the thick of unpacking.
Spend Time as a Family
If moving with family, do something fun like play a game. It will not only help everyone unwind after the hectic day of moving, but it’s a fun and communal way to spend time with your loved ones.
Consider a Book
If you’re moving alone, that’s okay too! Think about packing a good book, so you can sprawl across your couch and spend your first night in your new home reading. If you’re more of a media person than a book person, feel free to spend the night streaming your favorite show!
Order Out for Dinner
After spending the day moving and getting your new home in order, you probably won’t feel up to cooking a five-star dinner. That’s okay! Instead, think about ordering from one of your new local restaurants.
This is a good way to find out a little bit about your new neighborhood, and since everyone needs a favorite restaurant, you’ll be on your way to becoming a regular local!
Explore Your New Neighborhood
You could even further expand on that idea by exploring your new neighborhood. Whether it’s a walk through the area, introducing yourself to your neighbors, or an extensive Google search, find out about and get acquainted with your new community!
If you follow out moving date checklist and listen to our tips, you’ll be all set for a successful, stress-free move and a relaxing and entertaining first night in your hew home!
At Freedom Moving & Storage, we help to make moving easier for residents throughout New Jersey and New York. Whether you’re moving one town over or relocating across the country,
contact us for a free moving quote
