Moving to a new house? We feel your nerves.
It’s no secret, moving can spin your world into a flurry of boxes, misplaced items and endless tasks. But hey, it doesn’t have to be a giant headache. With the right strategies and a handy packing checklist for moving, we are all about making your move easy.
Ready to turn that frown upside down and say hello to a smoother transition? We’ve got your back with 10 practical and simple tips to make moving easier.
1. Create a Moving Plan and Checklist
Ease the chaos of moving by laying out a well-structured plan. Here’s how:
- Develop a timeline: Start planning weeks ahead. Mark key dates for packing, cleaning and the moving day on your calendar.
- Work your checklist magic: List down every task, big or small. This includes sorting belongings, updating addresses and hiring movers.
- Take it one step at a time: Break down each task into doable steps. Rather than packing your entire home in a day, start room-by-room.
By breaking down your move into a checklist, you are taking an important step to make moving easy.
2. Book Your Moving Truck or Moving Company Early
An easy moving experience often comes down to planning the big stuff early. Here’s a quick guide:
- Research moving truck rentals: Explore options online, compare prices to get the best deal and check availability.
- Book early: Reserve your moving truck ahead of time to avoid last-minute stress and ensure you have a truck ready for the big day. Some companies may need at least 90 days’ notice. The longer you wait, the less providers you will be able to choose from.
- Consider professional movers: For a seamless experience, professional movers can pack, move and unpack for you. While they might be an added expense, their expertise can make for a smoother move.
- Research moving companies: Don’t just pick the first one you find. Research, read reviews and compare services to choose the right fit.
Early planning can make your move easier and give you peace of mind during this busy time.
3. Arrange for Help
Moving is a big task, and it’s okay to ask for an extra pair of hands even if you hire professional movers. Here’s how to do it like a pro:
- Recruit your squad: Ask friends, family or neighbors to lend a hand, whether for packing or heavy lifting.
- Save your back, and theirs: Pack items in the correctly sized moving box.
- Consider childcare: Moving with young ones? See if someone can help keep them entertained.
- Keep everyone informed: Make sure your helpers know when and where they are needed to avoid last-minute confusion.
4. Declutter and Downsize
Before your big move, take some time to assess what is cluttering your space. Trimming down your belongings is one of the most practical tips to make moving easier and the packing and unpacking experience breezier.
- Sort out: Identify the items that are no longer of use, like outdated appliances or clothes that no longer fit.
- Take action: Sell, donate or discard belongings that don’t make the cut. You might be surprised by what others find valuable.
- Keep it minimal: Aim for fewer items to pack; it will make your move easier and more manageable.
To give you a better idea, here are some items you might consider letting go of, room by room:
- Kitchen: Duplicates of rarely used items, containers with missing lids expired pantry goods, gadgets you haven’t used in years.
- Living room: Half-used candles, appliances with frayed cords.
- Bedroom: Out-of-fashion or ill-fitting clothing, stained or ripped bedding.
- Bathroom: Expired toiletries and makeup that have changed color or smell.
- Garage: Rusty tools, broken sports equipment and expired cleaning supplies.
- Attic/Basement: Supplies from old hobbies, damaged holiday decor, as well as old receipts and tax records (with your accountant’s or lawyer’s approval).
Remember: What doesn’t make the cut could be someone else’s treasure, so consider donating before tossing it!
5. Search for Self Storage
Got more stuff than space in your new home? That’s where self-storage steps in to save the day. Here’s why it might be a good fit:
- Room to breathe: A storage unit offers that much-needed extra space, making your move easier.
- Proximity matters: Seek out a self-storage facility near your new home for convenient access.
- Climate control: Some belongings like artwork, documents, electronics and delicate fabrics need specific conditions to stay in top shape.
A quick search can lead you to the perfect storage solution for your extra belongings, making your move less of a squeeze!
6. Pack Efficiently
Tackling packing with a systematic approach can transform a mountain of chaos into a molehill of well-organized boxes.
- Start packing early, focusing on one room at a time.
- Create your own inventory of your belongings so that it’s clear what’s getting moved and where.
- Implement a labeling system, clearly indicating the contents and the destination room for each box.
- Pack a separate box for essential items, ensuring easy access upon arrival at your new home.
- Pack your self-storage items separately for a smooth transition into your storage unit.
Moving success story: In the hustle and bustle of moving day, organization and planning – and your own inventory list – come to the rescue. A case in point is when Nicole Gabai, CEO of B. Organized, assisted a client named Danielle with her transition from a large house in Vermont to a smaller apartment in New York.
“She hired a moving company to pack up her whole house, and we carefully instructed them to put in large print on the top of each box where it should go,” said Gabai. “This way, the heavy book boxes wouldn’t have to be dragged around from room to room, and since we had already decided where the bookcase would go, this was really helpful. We did something similar for every room in the apartment.”
“Danielle carefully kept track of the box numbers with her own inventory sheet,” Gabai added. “The contents of every box were clearly listed on her inventory, which is separate and different from the inventory that the movers make. Theirs is very general and is only numbered with a tiny sticker.”
Since the client wasn’t able to be at the apartment on move day, Gabai stepped in and received the whole move in New York. “Because of her inventory list and the carefully labeled boxes, I was able to instruct the movers where every piece of furniture went. And I was able to unpack most of the boxes before she got there, so the apartment felt like home by the time she and her family arrived.”
The moral of the story is clear: Don’t just rely on the mover’s inventory list! Be sure to make your own detailed one. It could be the difference between chaos and comfort.
7. Gather Essential Supplies
One key aspect of how to make moving easy is ensuring you are well-stocked before the packing begins. Running out of packing materials in the middle of a move can be a real pain. Here are a few packing essentials to gather:
- Plenty of boxes in various sizes.
- Quality packing tape to secure your belongings.
- Bubble wrap or packing paper for protecting fragile items.
- A toolbox ready for those unexpected assembly or disassembly moments.
Also, don’t forget to think outside the box (pun intended!) when packing. Suitcases, laundry baskets and bins can hold a surprising amount of stuff. It is an eco-friendly way to save on boxes and make your move a bit easier.
8. Notify Important Parties
Moving to a new house doesn’t just involve moving your belongings. There’s a host of organizations and individuals who need to know you are changing addresses.
- Contact your utility companies and service providers to arrange any necessary disconnections or transfers.
- Update your address with the post office, banks, insurance providers and other important organizations to continue receiving important correspondence.
- Keep your children’s schools, your doctors, veterinarians and other key contacts in the loop about your move.
- If your move includes a state change, make arrangements to register your car and obtain a new driver’s license.
- Register to vote in your new location.
9. Pack an Essentials Box
When the dust of the move settles, you’ll want certain items within easy reach. An essentials box serves just that purpose, containing things you will need immediately upon arrival at your new home. These should include:
- Toiletries – such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and toilet paper.
- Medications – prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies and a first aid kit.
- Important documents – including IDs, house documents and contact information for movers or landlords.
- A change of clothes – to have something fresh to wear while unpacking.
- Basic kitchen supplies – think of a few utensils, plates, cups and maybe a few non-perishable snacks or coffee for that much-needed energy boost.
This essentials box is a crucial part of your packing checklist for moving. It bridges the gap between your arrival and the time you unpack everything, making your first night in the new home less stressful.
10. Stay Organized During Unpacking
Transitioning into a new home can feel overwhelming, but an organized approach to unpacking can ease the process:
- Tackle one room at a time. Focusing your efforts helps prevent feelings of being overwhelmed.
- Set up essential areas first. Prioritize the kitchen and bedroom. These spaces provide a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.
- Take your time. Unpacking doesn’t have to be a race. Allow yourself time to place and organize your belongings thoughtfully and adjust to your new surroundings gradually.
With this approach, you will create a comforting, functional space out of the disorder in no time.
On Making Your Move Easy
Moving to a new home can seem like a towering task, but remember, every journey starts with a single step. To learn how to make moving easy, prioritize planning, decluttering and researching the right movers and storage options. This is, in fact, the essence of an easy moving experience.
Be diligent about who needs to know about your new address and ensure your essentials are easily accessible when you arrive. As you begin the process of unpacking, focus on one room at a time. Don’t hesitate to lean on others for support, and always put your well-being first.
With these 10 tips, your move can transform from a complex operation into a smoother, more manageable process. Remember, efficient organizing is the key to a successful move.
