While moving can be extremely exciting, it can also be very daunting. The idea of having to go through everything you own, boxing it all up, transporting it, and setting it all up isn’t exactly thrilling; in fact, it can be quite overwhelming.
To make the moving process easier and more efficient while keeping your sanity intact, here are some handy tips to keep in mind.
Purge!
Before you even think about packing up a single item, do a major purging. The more items you get rid of, the less you have to pack, move, and unload in your new space. Go through every area in your house, including the attic, the basement, the garage, closets, drawers, etc.
It might be tough, but try to let go of emotional ties. The pan you were given as a housewarming gift when you moved into your current home but chars all your food? – Trash it! That dress your mom gave you for your birthday a few years ago and still has the tags on it? – Donate it!
Downsizing the amount of stuff you have will make the entire moving process a whole lot easier. Plus, you’ll start off with more of a clean slate in your new digs.
Get Your Supplies
Once you’ve cleared out clutter, start collecting your supplies. You’re going to need boxes and lots of them. You can buy boxes, or you can collect them from grocery stores, retailers and other establishments that have their shipments delivered in boxes. You’ll also want to make sure you have plenty of newspaper and bubble wrap, packing tape, and markers.
Making sure you have necessary supplies before you start packing will help you avoid having to stop to get more supplies when you’re in the midst of your packing groove.
Take it Room-by-Room
Instead of focusing on everything all at once, work on one space at a time. For example, focus only on packing up the bedroom and don’t even think about any other space until that room is done. Once you have your bedroom packed up, move onto the next space and continue the process until every room is packed.
An important note: start with rooms that are used the least often; the dining room, for example. This way, you can avoid unpacking things that have already been packed up.
Label, Label, Label
When it comes to moving, labeling is your best friend. You can use a marker and print out the contents of each box right on the side, or you can print out the contents of every box on self-adhesive labels and slap them on the top or sides. Also, don’t forget to clearly label where each box should go in your new abode.
Labeling will make the unpacking process so much smoother. It will also help you avoid tearing through every box to find your sheets when all you want to do is make your bed and catch some Zs at the end of moving day.
Call in Helping Hands
There’s going to be a lot on your plate when you’re in the middle of a move. The packing alone can be a long and exhausting process; not to mention actually hauling everything from one space to another.
Ask your friends or family members to help out! Reward them with tasty snacks and beverages. You might even want to consider giving them gift cards or some other token to show your appreciation. Make the packing and moving process fun by playing lively music and just getting silly! Things will go a lot faster and you might make some great memories, too!
If going the friend and family route isn’t an option, consider hiring a moving company. Professionals can help you with packing and transporting so you can have some of the weight of your move lifted off of your shoulders.
Save the Essentials for Last
Though you’re eventually going to have to move everything out of your current location, there are some things that you are going to need until moving day arrives. Toiletries, a coffee pot, some articles of clothing, pillows and a blanket, your laptop; these are examples of some of the items that you probably use every day and want to wait until the last minute to pack up.
Pack these essentials in clearly labeled boxes so that you know exactly where they are when you arrive at your new home and can access them right away.
Heavier Items = Smaller Boxes
Pack those heavier items in smaller boxes. For example, if you have a ton of books, packing them in a large box might seem like the obvious choice; however, that’s a really bad idea. Books are heavy, especially in large numbers. The same is true for anything on the heavy side. If you’ve ever tried to lug a box full of textbooks out of a dorm room, you know exactly what we’re talking about.
Packing heavier items in smaller boxes will make them much easier to haul. Save the large boxes for lightweight items, like linens.
Start Early
The earlier you start, the better off you’ll be. In fact, we recommend you start packing as soon as you find out that you are moving. You’ll save yourself some major anxiety and ensure that everything is taken care of.
By following these tips, you can make your move a lot less stressful and much more successful. If you find that you have a lot of junk to purge, don’t forget to rent a dumpster! You’ll have a convenient space to toss out all of that junk so you can focus on packing.