Even in the best of circumstances, moving is stressful. It is often said that moving can be one of the single most stressful things you can do. Save yourself a headache by making your move as organized as possible with five of our essential moving tips.
Downsize before you pack
There are very few instances where you can successfully plan for a move the day before your move. Usually, most of us have weeks, if not months, to prepare in advance for the big day.
Spend that time wisely by weeding out things that you’re not using anymore. Often, that includes clothes, books and furniture. Decluttering your home can seem like a daunting task at the beginning, but that’s often just because of the sheer size of all of the items. Once you break down a room, or separate items into their own categories, the process becomes much easier.
A helpful tip is setting a schedule for your downsizing. Set manageable dates, but make sure that you stick to them. You’ll be thanking yourself come moving day, as you’ll have much less to move.
Labels
It’s hard enough to find anything in the sea of cardboard boxes. Save yourself unnecessary frustration by creating a labelling system that clearly identifies which room in your new house that box should go. Whether you choose to print off your own or purchase pre-made labels, aim to have roughly 100 per room, since you’ll want to stick one to each side, as well as the top of the box.
Be Descriptive
Even though it’s easy to just start throwing things into boxes mindlessly, fight the urge. Instead, write a general list on the top of the box.
Try to think of how you will need each item and how quickly you’ll need it. As an example, you’re less likely to need Christmas Decorations than kitchen items like utensils.
A simple method to keep you organized is to label each category based on the need of the item. Anything with an A, you’ll need immediately. This can be kitchen utensils, bathroom supplies, or work outfits. Anything that you don’t immediately (ideally that week) you can label down. If there is something that you won’t need for a long time (more than a month) simply label and store it appropriately.
Moving Essentials
Save your moving essentials last. These items are often toiletries, charging cables, important documents, and your kid’s favourite toys. Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to find your contact case and toothbrush after a long moving day. Try to keep these items with you. If you cannot, make sure that these items are placed in boxes that are the last to go on the truck.
Furniture First, Individual Boxes Last
When it comes time to pack up the moving truck, load your heavy furniture pieces like sofas and safes first. Then, fill in with lighter items like nightstands and lamps. Don’t forget that some pieces will fit better flipped on their side or upside down. Once all of your furniture is secured, organize the boxes by room so that when it comes time to unload, you can grab all the boxes for the same room at the same time.
Though it may take a bit more time and plan at the outset, an organized move will save you hours of frustration, and make your new house feel like home even sooner.