Are you planning to move? Moving is a lot of work, and most people have tight deadlines to meet, which means they need get organized and make time to pack up for moving day.

However, not many people plan the day after the big move. What happens when you walk into your new home? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when surrounded by cardboard boxes. What do you unpack first? Where do you start?

Many people find that they start unpacking, but ultimately end up getting distracted and procrastinating. In fact, according to the latest statistics, it takes the average American nearly six months to unpack the last box when moving into a new home. (This can take longer for some people!) The good news is that having a plan can make unpacking a little less stressful.

If you hire a moving service, first check your moving inventory to make sure everything arrived safely. Then move the boxes to their respective rooms – if the movers haven’t already. (Clearly labeling your boxes with their contents and the space they are in is critical to this process.)

The order in which you unpack your boxes may depend on when they arrive at your new home. If they arrive early, you can unpack your kitchen first. However, if the box arrives late, you may want to start unpacking your bathroom and bedroom, so you have everything you need for a good night’s sleep.

Start with the basics, such as soap, shampoo, towels, toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, and other toiletries. This way you can use the bathroom and shower before bed. Then you can start unpacking again after you’re rested.

Then focus on the kitchen. If you’ve moved a fridge, put it in and let it sit for a few hours before plugging it in. Plug in other large appliances, then unpack smaller appliances like microwaves, coffee makers, blenders, and toasters. Next, unpack the plates, cutlery, glasses, and other cooking utensils.

After the kitchen and bathroom are dismantled, it’s time to go to the bedroom. Labeling the box with your bedding makes it easier to find and unpack. If your bed needs to be put together, you can wait and assemble it the next day. You can always sleep on a mattress on the floor and have the furniture built for another time.

After dealing with this high-traffic room, proceed to the living room. First put the furniture, then put the TV, stereo, game system and other equipment. If you have one, pack up your home office and leave the garage/storage space for last. To make unpacking easier after moving, focus on organizing your belongings and prioritizing essential items, allowing you to efficiently settle in while also ensuring you’ve already arranged to get your vehicle parts shipped if needed. You can even ship an entire vehicle if needed during your move.

See the following resources, by Moving of America, for more details on unpacking.