One of the most important details not to overlook when preparing to move is to pack a “first-night” kit. The purpose of this is to ensure you’ll have the essential items you’ll immediately need at your fingertips upon arrival in your new home.
You don’t want to spend your first night scurrying through dozens of boxes trying to find necessary items. To help you plan, we’ve compiled a list of things to have handy on your first night.
1. Personal items
Plan to pack an overnight bag, much like you’d do for any other trip. Include a set of clothing for each household member (and pajamas!), hairbrushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, medications, and any toiletries you’ll need. If you’re traveling a distance or think it’ll take you time to find supplies for additional days, pack as if you would for a week’s vacation. In this case, also remember to pack any electronics and chargers you will need as well.
2. Bedroom
Start your new life with a good night’s sleep. Before your move, plan to wash and separate any bedding you’ll need from your other packed boxes, so you have fresh sheets, blankets, pillows, and pillowcases upon your arrival to your new home. If you’ve got children, remember to include any special blankets or toys they usually take to sleep with them to help their transition in a new place.
3. Bathroom
As part of your essentials’ packing, put aside a few items you’ll need to place in your bathroom upon arrival. Necessities to include are towels, soap, hand soap, toilet paper, and a bath mat. Also, plan to bring a shower liner and hooks – these are two of those easy to forget items – but items you will find you really need when the time comes to freshen up.
4. Kitchen
While your plans may include ordering a pizza or other favorite takeout on your first night, you might also want to pack some nighttime snacks or have a good breakfast handy, so you can focus on your unpacking and not fighting hunger pangs. Also include any glasses, dishes, napkins, trash bags, and any other food staples— like coffee– you’ll want. If you use a toaster or coffeemaker in the mornings, tuck those into an accessible box as well.
5. Cleaning supplies
If you didn’t have the opportunity to give your new place a good cleaning, be sure you have supplies on hand to take care of this important task when you arrive. After a long day moving, the last thing you’ll probably want to do is go hunting through boxes or making runs to the store to pick up duplicates of supplies you already have. Useful items to have handy for cleaning include: cleaning rags, disinfectant wipes, paper towels, gloves, window cleaner, toilet cleaner, scrub brushes, broom, dustpan, and dish soap.
Move-in Ready!
As you pack your essentials boxes, we recommend you label them and put them aside, so they aren’t accidentally packed with your other boxes. If they are, they’ll be challenging to locate when you get to your new place. Ideally, you want to bring these items with you in your car. If not, talk to your mover so that these boxes can be the last loaded into the moving truck and the first unloaded when you arrive.
Moving into a new home is exciting; a fresh start is such a great feeling. By packing essentials you can easily access when you arrive, it’ll make your first 24 hours far easier, not to mention, much more comfortable.
Do you need help with your move? Contact us for a free quote!
