Moving is one of the most stressful events in life. Whether you’re moving to a new apartment or buying a new home, there are plenty of ways to work smarter and limit the headaches. Price compare moving companies and rental trucks to find the best deals. Pack off-season items and books in advance to reduce clutter on moving days.
1. Packing Tips
When you’re moving, it can be hard to know where to start when packing. Fortunately, there are lots of packing tips and tricks that can make the process easier and faster. These simple hacks will help you save time, reduce stress and keep your belongings safe from damage. From organizing cords to creating a moving essentials tote, these tips and tricks will help you have the best move possible.
One of the best moving tips to follow is to pack away items you don’t use regularly prior to your move. This includes home decor pieces, extensive collections of books and movies and clothing you don’t wear. If you have children, you can also ask them to go through their rooms and get rid of any toys they no longer play with or don’t wear anymore. This will free up space in their rooms and in your home, as well as make it much easier to move and unpack.
Another great way to prepare for a move is to pack room-by-room instead of going through your entire home all at once. This will allow you to focus on the spaces that require the most work, such as your bedroom and kitchen. It will also give you a realistic timeline to finish those spaces so you’re not scrambling on moving day.
It’s also a good idea to create a box of essentials to have on hand throughout your move and in your new home. This can include things like non-perishable food items, water bottles, clean clothes and toiletries. You can also put items such as a first aid kit in this tote, as well as important documents and chargers. Finally, be sure to label boxes clearly, especially the ones containing items you will need right away, such as a box with basic cleaning supplies and your favorite coffee mug.
Adding a pull tab to your boxes can help you open them easily without a knife or box cutter. Simply place a piece of wool string across the center of closed box flaps, leaving excess on either side. Then, when it comes time to move, you can simply grab the string and pull it to open the box. This can be particularly helpful for boxes with heavy or difficult-to-lift contents, such as glassware or books.
2. Organization
A move can be one of the most stressful life events. Whether you hire movers or tackle the project yourself, there are many organization tips and tricks that will help to make the process easier. From sourcing free boxes to using household linens for packing, there are lots of ways to save time and money while getting organized.
One of the most important steps in organizing for a move is decluttering. Getting rid of unnecessary items will not only help to reduce the amount of items you have to pack, but it will also help to make the moving process go more quickly. Consider having a garage sale, donating items to charity or selling them online before your move.
Another great organization tip is to create a system for labeling and tracking boxes. You can use a spreadsheet, home inventory app or even simple sticky notes to help you stay on top of the process. Be sure to number your boxes and write down what is in them, including where the box should go in your new house, if it’s fragile and more.
When it comes to packing up clothing, it’s important not to take everything off the hangers. Instead, place each item in trash bags while still on the hanger. This will keep clothes clean while you’re packing and protect them from being damaged while transporting. Once you arrive at your new home, just transfer the clothes to a closet.
The same goes for shoes and other larger items. Place them in empty suitcases or reusable grocery bags to save on expensive cardboard boxes. These can be used again later to transport laundry or other items.
It’s always a good idea to have a box or two of essentials on hand, especially during the first few days in your new home. These can include medications, toiletries, a few days worth of clothes and any electronics you need for work or school. It’s also a good idea to have a first aid kit in case of any accidents that may occur during the move.
3. Moving Day
A move can be a huge undertaking for any family. If you’ve hired movers or are planning on doing a DIY move, it’s important to start preparing well in advance of moving day. Keep a running to-do list on your phone or piece of paper for everything you need to do before moving day, and cross each task off as it gets done. This will help you stay on track and reduce stress on the big day.
As soon as you know when you’re moving, start packing away items that don’t get used often. That way you’ll have less to pack on the actual day of the move and can focus on other tasks that need to be completed. It’s also a good idea to make a checklist of any supplies you’ll need, including boxes, tape, markers and labels, packing peanuts and furniture pads.
The night before your move, be sure to empty and defrost your refrigerator. It’s best to do this the night before, rather than on moving day, as it can take up to 24 hours to defrost a freezer. Then, place towels around the base of your fridge and pack up any perishables you can’t keep in the fridge with ice packs or a cooler.
If you’re a renter, make sure to give your landlord a call to let them know when you are moving. This will ensure they know to expect you and can prepare for your arrival. You can also ask your landlord to take a few pictures around the property so you have documentation in case they try to claim damage or cleaning costs on your security deposit.
Finally, don’t forget to do one final walk-through of your home before leaving. This will help you double-check that you’ve packed all of your belongings and haven’t left any behind. Especially with all the excitement of moving, it can be easy to forget something! This will help you avoid any frustrating surprises when unpacking. And, most importantly, it will help you have a successful move!
4. Unpacking
Moving isn’t a cakewalk, but you can make it easier on yourself and those helping you with a few simple hacks. By taking the time to prepare and organize, enlisting helpers and using the right tools and supplies, your move can be fast and easy, even if you’re moving long distance.
Use an inventory system: Number your boxes, and keep track of what’s in them by creating a spreadsheet or downloading a home inventory app on your phone. This will help you know what’s in each box and where it should go in your new home. It will also eliminate the stress of rummaging through all your boxes to find the item you need, whether it’s an extension cord or your favorite coffee mug.
Add a little cushioning: If you have delicate items like lamps, wrap them in blankets to protect them from scratches and bruises during the move. If your dresser has drawers, wrap them in blankets or sheets to protect the drawers themselves as well. And don’t forget to pack a few boxes of 1 day essentials for yourself, including toilet paper and wet wipes.
Plastic Wrap to the Rescue
A piece of kitchen plastic wrap can stop liquid toiletries (like shampoo, soap and conditioner) from leaking during the move. Just remove the cap and wrap it around the opening. This trick is also helpful for keeping liquids from spilling in suitcases when flying.
Organize cords: An empty toilet paper roll can come in handy for organizing and wrapping wires and cords, especially when packing up electronics like computers or TVs. Just wrap the cords and tuck them inside. It’ll save you the time of tying them up and will also prevent them from getting tangled during the move.
Have a plan: It’s best to have a schedule or timeline of when you want each room in your house packed up and ready for the move. This will give you a goal to work towards, and also a sense of accomplishment when you complete a room.
So whether you’re moving into a brand-new condo or downsizing to a smaller space, these packing hacks will help make your move as easy as possible and allow you to enjoy the process of making your next life chapter the best one yet. So start preparing today!