Whether you’re moving down the street or across the world, moving is always a hectic experience. Trying to pack up everything on your own while also ensuring all the other details fall into place just right is beyond overwhelming, and attempting to keep the rest of your world in order while doing so may seem impossible.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to make the moving process go as smoothly as possible. Because most people need all the help they can get while moving, we suggest trying the tips below to make your experience as stress-free as possible.
Purge, Purge, Purge
Before doing anything else, it’s a good idea to go through everything you own and purge unneeded items. After all, the less you have to pack and move, the less work you’ll need to do and the less you’ll pay to the movers. Besides, who wants to keep track of stuff they don’t even need?
If you have a hard time letting go of stuff, try picking up each item and asking yourself if you truly need it. If the answer is “no,” or if you know you won’t use the item for 6 months or more, you can probably donate it.
The exception to this rule is whether something really brings you joy on a regular basis. Sentimental items might fall into this category as well as decor, toys, and other unnecessary but well-loved things.
Pack Early
The less you have to pack at the last minute, the better off you’ll be. Therefore, it’s an excellent idea to pack up whatever you can in the weeks leading up to your move.
For instance, you might pack up…
- Off-season clothes
- Extra sheets, blankets, and towels
- Kitchen gadgets you don’t use daily
Having these items packed in advance will cut back on the packing you have to do the week of your move, leaving you time and energy to focus on other matters.
Color Code
When packing your things, be sure to do so in a logical way. Keep kitchen items together, then bathroom items in their own box, and so forth.
Ensure the boxes go to the correct rooms in the new house by giving each room a color, and color coding the boxes based on the room they belong in. You can mark boxes with their proper color using stickers, colored duct tape, or markers.
Keep an “Essentials” Box
Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind when packing is the fact that you’re going to need some items right away. For this reason, we recommend packing a few “essentials” boxes or bags. There should only be 2–3 of these, and they should include toiletries, clothes, bedding, and dishes for the first few nights in your new home.
This will ensure unpacking isn’t rushed and that everything is put away properly.
Make Checklists and Schedules
When everything in your world seems to be turned upside down, schedules and checklists are your friends. Take inventory of the items that is moving with you to ensure everything makes it to the new house, and make a detailed to-do list that includes such tasks as having the water turned on and filling out a change of address form.
Some people even find it helpful to create a detailed schedule for each day leading up to the move. This will help you get everything on your list done in a timely manner and before any deadlines sneak up.
Communicate with Helpers
If you hire movers or have friends helping you move, make sure to communicate with them. If they will be moving something fragile, let them know by telling them and marking it as such. Make sure all helpers know the color coding system, and give clear and specific instructions if there is anything else they should know.
Most of all, be sure to communicate your gratitude. After all, volunteer and paid helpers are definitely a nice thing to have during a big move.
If you have hired help, be sure to tip generously. These folks work hard and the more kindness you show them, the more respectful they’ll be of your family’s belongings.
By using these simple tips and tricks, you should have no trouble organizing and carrying out a super efficient and successful move. Get started today, because moving day will be here before you know it!
