7 Ways to Simplify Your Next Move
Congratulations, you’ve just bought a new house! It can be such an exciting time to close on the house of your dreams and start a new chapter in your life. But whether you’re a seasoned mover, or packing your bags for the first time, moving can be stressful and time-consuming.
The business of packing, moving, unpacking, and coordinating pets, and other family members requires a lot of work. Plus managing your other responsibilities like work, kids, and chores can make the task of moving feel nearly impossible.
To help you simplify the process of moving we’ve compiled a list of 7 moving tips that will help you reduce stress and overwhelm.
7 Ways to Make Your Move Simple
Start Early
Have you ever heard the saying “you may delay, but time will not”? Unfortunately, time is something that continues on whether we put something off or not. Our advice… start prepping as soon as you know you are going to be making a move.
It might be tempting to procrastinate but the more time you allow yourself to purge, plan, and pack, the more smoothly your move will go. Your future self will thank you!
Use It or Lose It
Purge, purge, purge. From clothing to linens, pet food to non-perishable pantry items, get rid of anything you no longer want or need. We recommend starting at the 6-week mark. If you don’t purge first you are essentially losing time and money packing up items you have no use for.
A new home is a chance for a new start. Don’t allow clutter from your previous home into your new one. Pro Tip: Schedule a donation pickup to save time & ensure those donations don’t end up getting moved to the next house.
Create a Moving Folder
Paper is easy to lose, get damaged, or accidentally toss out. Instead of taking that risk, make a moving folder to house all of your important moving documents like moving contracts. This way you know exactly where everything is and paperwork is easy to access if you need it.
Pack Like a Pro
Here are 5 tips for how to pack your belongings like a pro!
Pack heavier items in the bottom of the boxes
Use the entire box, don’t leave space.
Use household items to protect breakables. (pillows, sheets, stuffed animals)
Pack one room at a time and do not mix items from different rooms in the same box.
Label, label, label. Use colored stickers or tape to mark each room in the new home. (Ex: living room: blue sticker, kitchen: red sticker) Include all of the contents inside the box on a taped-on index card.
Hire a Reputable Moving Company
Get two or three quotes from reputable moving companies in your area. We always recommend checking their Google reviews. Some moving companies even offer incentives if it is your first move with their company, while others may offer added guarantees for transporting your fragile items. It’s definitely a good idea to ask about what would happen in the event that one of your items gets damaged in the move.
If you are moving yourself, reserve a truck, and buy supplies. You’ll need sturdy boxes or clear plastic bins, colored stickers, tape, and Sharpie markers.
Make an Essentials Bag
Keep essentials with you and pack them last. Think toiletries, medications, 2-3 outfits, kids’ favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Other items you may want to consider are things like chargers, batteries, snacks, and pet food.
No one wants to be opening up a ton of boxes to try and find what they need. Plan ahead instead and keep necessities close by and easy to access.
Hire a Professional Organizer
Did you know professional organizers can help you prep your current home to go on the market, manage your move, and unpack your belongings in your new house to make it feel like home from day one?
If you are feeling overwhelmed about your upcoming move it may be time to consider hiring an organizer to simplify the before, during, and after of your move. Our goal is to handle the details so you can focus your time and energy on more important areas of your life like your family!
Book a free consultation to get started. We would LOVE to hear from you and learn more about your move.