3 min read

Tips on Unpacking After Moving

Successful and stress-free unpacking after your move starts with the decluttering and packing up phase!
By · Updated June 22, 2026
Tips on Unpacking After Moving

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Successful and stress-free unpacking after your move starts with the decluttering and packing up phase!

When you set goals, what you’re doing is creating actions on your to-do list as part of your future planning because you desire a certain outcome and, in this case, easy, breezy happy unpacking!

Your goal is to get from Point A to Point B with the less stress possible.

1. Decluttering Is Beautiful

Decluttering has the be one of the most therapeutic aspects of moving house.  Honestly, it’s like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders and to be fair; a lot of weight is removed from the actual moving stage.

One approach you can take is to first of all get rid of everything you absolutely know you don’t need and take it straight to the tip, and only if you think it is of value, drop it off at your local charity shop.

Please, please don’t take any clothing or other items that can’t be resold or reused.  We’ve all heard those nightmares from the charity shop volunteers who do an absolutely amazing job describing some of what is dropped off!

As far as clothes the rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn them over the last year, get rid of them.

Ok, so you’ve done the first declutter. Now go back over everything else in the garage, spare room, shed etc and ask yourself - am I really going to wear that again or are we really going to need that? Be a bit brutal. Why lug around stuff from one house to the next when you absolutely won’t need it again? 

2. Packing Up Ready to Go

Start collecting moving boxes so when you pack up you have plenty on hand.  Also, remember the breakables will need protection from any damage, so collect newspapers to wrap your precious breakables up to help eliminate or at least, minimise any breaks.

Break down each room and you can assign a room each to your family members, housemates etc. Of course, everyone should do their own room and then you can share out the other rooms.

Make sure you have sharpies and labels at the ready so you can clearly write on each box what goes where eg. kitchen, bathroom etc. Another good tip, apart from just writing Kitchen on a box, we recommend you write Kitchen and a few items and what cupboard it came from so you can visualise what’s in the box ready to be unpacked at the other end.  Better still, take a photo on your phone before you tape up your box so you know what’s in them at the other end.

Big, black bin bags are great to pack up all your clothes into and then just have a label so you know whose room that goes into at your new place. It makes life a lot less stressful and if you’re clever enough to use a professional moving company it’s super easy for you to direct what goes where at the other end.

Remember at the other end, instead of trying to do it all yourself, think of yourself as the conductor.  You’ve got those handy goals around what you want to achieve (a smooth and easy shift) and now you have to orchestrate what goes where the easy way.  A goal is only ever as successful as the actual implementation!

With moving day looming, Wise Move is ready to make your move so much easier. Book the best movers for trusted, affordable, and professional moving support from start to finish. Our moving teams can handle the careful packing, lifting, transport, and delivery, so you can move with less stress and more confidence.

Moving companies services at low-cost

Budget-friendly moving service. Trusted by thousands of customers across NZ. Door to Door delivery. Same Day service. Fixed Prices.
What are you moving?
Newshub Stuff SCOOP Yahoo!

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Mount Albert, Auckland
Mount Albert, Auckland
10
Nicki
Reviewed 5 hours ago
Such lovely guys. Nothing was too much trouble. All done before midday. Would hire again for sure!
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10
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Reviewed 6 hours ago
Excellent service, extremely fast and efficient, they had our one bedroom storage packed away and ready to go in like 15mins! The team were very accommodating and punctual given the circumstances, they were gracious in working around our schedule and they had the move done from Levin to Christchurch with no delay. They also offered the best quote price amongst our listings, we could not have asked for better, honestly we wish we got the crew's names so we can personally include them in this review as they were fantastic. Strongly recommend!
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Reviewed 8 hours ago
I was very happy with Top Movers for my house move. They showed up on time. There was no damage to any items during transit or to the house at either end. When the move was complete (in 3 hours instead of the 4 allowed) they asked if there was anything else - and even offered to reposition some furniture since we weren't certain on the final placement. Thanks guys!
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Lesley
Reviewed 10 hours ago
Highly recommend Ash to transport anything, anywhere, anytime for you. Great communication, right on time, very friendly and overall great service. Thanks Ash!
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Te Aro, Wellington
Roslyn, Palmerston North
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Keegan
Reviewed 11 hours ago
Amazing and efficient! Thank you :)
$150
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10
Jonathan
Reviewed 14 hours ago
Great movers who were punctual, efficient, took care of my furniture and had reasonable pricing. Would be happy to use them again.

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