How to Organize After Moving Fast and Finally Feel at Home!
Want to learn how to organize after moving?
Moving into a new home is so exciting—it’s a fresh start and a space to create new memories. But let’s be real—unpacking can feel overwhelming.
Just the thought of sorting through all your belongings after a long moving day is exhausting.
Without a plan, clutter can pile up quickly, making it hard to settle in and truly enjoy your new space.
I recently moved into a one-bedroom apartment, and after the chaos of packing and hauling boxes, all I wanted to do was procrastinate the unpacking process.
But I love a cozy, organized home more than I enjoy staring at piles of boxes, so I pushed through using the tips I’m sharing below—and fully settled within two weeks.
If you’re wondering how to organize after moving without feeling overwhelmed, this guide will walk you through simple, actionable steps to unpack efficiently, organize your new space, and make your home feel put together.
This post is all about how to organize after moving.
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Step-by-Step Plan: How to Organize After Moving
Step 1: Start With The Essentials First
When you first move in, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of boxes and bags you have lying around. Where do you even start?!
Instead of stressing, begin unpacking the essentials—the items you absolutely need for everyday life.
✔ Toiletries, medications, and personal care items
✔ Basic kitchen supplies (think—plates, mugs, silverware, paper towels)
✔ Outfits and pajamas for a few days
✔ Chargers and tech essentials
📌 Why? Having your essentials unpacked first ensures you can live comfortably while you unpack everything else at a more manageable pace.
Step 2: Unpack Boxes by Room
Instead of jumping from one area to another, stay focused on one room at a time.
Start with high-use rooms first:
→ Kitchen → Bedroom → Bathroom → Living Room → Storage Areas
I’m all about breaking down big tasks into smaller, more achievable action steps. So, if you’re feeling stressed from unpacking a whole room within a day, break it down into smaller steps that you can achieve day by day.
For example, you can have an unpacking process for your bedroom like this:
📌 Day 1: Unpack and assemble bedroom furniture.
📌 Day 2: Unpack linens & make the bed.
📌 Day 3: Hang up clothes, fold remaining items into dressers.
💡 Pro Tip: If unpacking a whole room feels overwhelming, set a goal to unpack just one box per room at a time. Remember, slow progress is still progress!
Step 3: Create a Handy Storage System
Once everything is unpacked, it’s important to create an organization system that makes sense for your daily routine.
Being organized helps you to feel calm and at peace in your new environment, because you’ll know where everything is and how to access your items easily.
Storage System Tips:
✔ Use vertical storage – Floating shelves, hooks, and tall bookcases to maximize space.
✔ Designate permanent spots for essentials – Make sure items have a “home” so clutter doesn’t creep back in.
✔ Incorporate multipurpose furniture – Maximizes the space you have so you don’t have to buy more furniture.
✔ Use clear bins & labels – Helps keep things accessible and organized.
📌 Personal Story: My partner used to lose his car keys all the time until we created a designated key tray by the front door.
Room-by-Room Home Organization Tips
Kitchen
✔ Unpack daily-use items first (plates, cookware, coffee maker, toaster).
✔ Organize by function:
- Cooking Zone: Pots, pans, utensils
- Food Prep Zone: Cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls
- Dishwashing Zone: Dish soap, sponges, drying rack
📌 Smart Storage Solutions:
✔ Drawer dividers for utensils.
✔ Stackable shelves to maximize pantry space. Perfect for organizing mugs, plates, bowls, etc.
Bedroom
✔ Set up the bed first—it instantly makes the room feel complete.
✔ Bedroom Organization Tips:
- Use over the door shoe organizers to save floor space
- Under-bed storage bins for out of season clothes & extra bedding.
Living Room
✔ Start by arranging furniture according to your desired layout.
✔ Declutter surfaces immediately— It’s important to clean and declutter during the unpacking process! For example, after unpacking books, store them neatly (like in a TV stand drawer or storage ottoman).
📌 Smart Storage Solutions:
✔ Use decorative storage baskets for blankets & throw pillows
✔ Opt for a coffee table with hidden storage (multipurpose furniture is truly amazing for storage!)
✔ Wall-mounted shelves can keep things tidy while displaying decor.
Bathroom
✔ Use bins under a bathroom sink or in a closet for storing toiletries.
✔ Maximize small space storage:
- Over-the-door racks for towels.
- Tiered shelves for skincare & toiletries.
- Shower caddies to keep bottles off the tub edges.
📌 Pro Tip: A utility cart is perfect for adding more storage space in your bathroom!
Smart Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Home
✅ Vertical Storage: Floating shelves, hanging organizers, tall bookcases.
✅ Multi-Use Furniture: Storage ottomans, coffee tables with compartments, bed frames with drawers.
✅ Drawer Organizers: Keep utensils, clothing, and small items tidy.
✅ Over-the-Door Organizers: Great for shoes, toiletries, accessories, or cleaning supplies.
📌 Pro Tip: Use clear bins so you can easily see what’s inside—no more digging through clutter!
Stress-Free Unpacking & Organization Hacks
✔ Unpack strategically—don’t empty all boxes at once, that’s a recipe for stress! Instead, unpack in order of importance
(i.e. unpacking pots and pans, dishes, and silverware in the kitchen so that you can cook and eat in your new place)
✔ Tackle one room per day to avoid burnout.
Moving is stressful enough, no need to overburden yourself with unpacking everything all at once.
✔ Set a timer for organizing (25-30 minutes) to keep motivation high.
Timers can be very helpful in keeping focused on a task!
✔ Get rid of moving boxes ASAP—seeing progress helps you feel settled faster! This can also motivate you to unpack more.
How to Stay Clutter-Free After Moving
✔ Have A Daily 5-ish Minute Reset: Spend 5-10 minutes tidying up in the morning before work or right before you go to bed. These small actions add up overtime.
You’ll notice that you don’t have to have long cleaning days because you’ve maintained an organized and clean space throughout the week.
✔ One In, One Out Rule: For every new item you bring in, remove something old. This really helps to keep clutter at bay because you’re getting rid of unnecessary items.
✔ Create a Weekly Cleaning Routine: Assign small tasks each day (e.g., Mondays = kitchen cleanup, Fridays = laundry & decluttering).
FAQs: How to Organize After Moving
How to start organizing after moving?
To start organizing after moving, first ensure you have adequate storage furniture like ottomans, storage cabinets, floating shelves, a utility cart, and drawer organizers to neatly store your belongings.
Then, unpack and organize in timed bursts (30-60 minutes at a time) to stay focused and make good progress.
Begin with essential items first, then move room by room, prioritizing high-use areas like the kitchen and bedroom.
Use clear bins to easily access stored items. Lastly, setting up a designated home for every item will help keep your space tidy long-term!
How long does it take to organize after moving?
The time it takes to organize after moving depends on the size of your home and how quickly you want to settle in.
For me, it took about two weeks to unpack and organize most of my belongings, but for others, it can take up to four weeks to fully settle in.
To stay on track, start with essential rooms first—like the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom—so you can comfortably go about your daily routine.
If you’re short on time, try organizing in timed bursts (30-60 minutes per session). This way you can get a lot done without feeling overwhelmed!
How do I motivate myself to unpack after moving to a new home?
You can motivate yourself to unpack after moving by visualizing your desired end result—a fully settled in and cozy home—and then identifying small, achievable action steps to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
If your space still feels like a pile of boxes but you dream of a clutter-free, organized home, start with unpacking essential items like toiletries, clothes, and kitchen basics.
Moving is exhausting, so it’s okay if you don’t feel motivated right away.
Instead of aiming to unpack everything at once, set a timer for 30 minutes and focus on one small task at a time.
Progress, no matter how small, will build momentum and help you feel more at home with each step!
Conclusion: Create a Stress-Free, Organized Home After Moving!
Moving into a new place can feel so joyful because it’s a fresh start. But, unpacking and organizing all of your belongings can feel like the worst thing on earth.
To make the experience feel less overwhelming, it’s important to do small, achievable tasks each day so that your home is more organized and enjoyable.
Follow this step-by-step guide to create a clutter-free, functional space from day one.
This post was all about how to organize after moving.