Moving to a new home is an exciting time. However, packing up your belongings and dealing with the logistics of moving can be daunting. You can do a few key things to make your move more convenient. Keep reading for top tips on making your next move as smooth as possible.
Hire Help If Needed
There’s no shame in admitting that you need help when moving—after all, moving is a big job! If you’re short on time or don’t feel like dealing with the hassle of packing and moving everything yourself, consider hiring residential moving companies. They’ll take care of everything for you while freeing up your time so that you can focus on other aspects of your move (like forwarding your mail and transferring utilities).
When hiring movers, it’s essential to do your research. Read reviews and get multiple quotes to compare pricing. Make sure to ask questions about the mover’s insurance and licensing, as well as their experience with moves of a similar size. Once you’ve found a reputable mover, clearly understand their services and what you’re responsible for.
Start Packing Early
One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving is waiting until the last minute to start packing. This inevitably leads to rushed packing and items getting left behind. To avoid this, begin packing non-essentials a few weeks in advance. This will not only help you avoid the stress of last-minute packing but also give you a chance to declutter your home before the move.
Starting with the non-essential items in your home is essential when packing early. This includes items you don’t use often or that you can easily replace. Begin by packing these items in boxes and labeling them accordingly.
Once you’ve packed up the non-essential items, move on to packing the essentials. This includes things like your clothes, kitchen supplies, and toiletries. Be sure to pack these items in sturdy boxes and clearly label them so you can find them easily when unpacking.
Start planning if you have any large furniture or appliances that need to be moved. Make sure you have enough help and reserve a moving truck if necessary.
Purge Before You Pack
When people think about decluttering before a move, they focus on removing items they no longer want or need.
However, it’s also essential to purge items you’re planning on keeping but don’t need daily—think seasonal clothing, holiday decor, and unused kitchen appliances. Not only will this lighten your load on moving day, but it will also make unpacking at your new home much more manageable.
When purging items for a move, you must be mindful of what you’re getting rid of. Not only do you want to declutter your home, but you also don’t want to end up with many unnecessary items in your new home. Here are a few tips for purging properly:
- Sort your belongings and remove anything you don’t need or use regularly. This includes seasonal clothing, holiday decor, and unused kitchen appliances.
- If you plan on donating items, donate them to a local thrift store or charity.
- If you’re planning on throwing items away, ensure they’re correctly disposed of in a landfill. Never dump items in a public area or near a waterway.
Create a Packing Schedule
Once you’ve decluttered and started packing up your belongings, creating a packing schedule is essential—especially if you’re working with limited time before your move. This will help ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed and that everything gets packed up before moving day arrives.
Make a list of all the rooms in your home and the tasks that need to be completed in each room (e.g., packing up clothes, dishes, etc.). Then, break down those tasks into smaller goals you can meet each day leading up to the move.
For example, if you’re packing up your clothes, your goal for day one could be to pack up all out-of-season clothes; on day two, you could focus on packing up shirts, skirts, dresses, and so on. Don’t forget to factor in some time for taking breaks, too.
If you’re having trouble creating a schedule or staying on track, there are plenty of free moving checklists available online that can help keep you organized and on task. Finally, don’t forget to take extra time to pack any last-minute items before your move.
Moving doesn’t have to be stressful—follow these simple tips for a more convenient move! Start early by decluttering and packing up non-essentials weeks in advance; continue purging as you pack by removing items you don’t use regularly; create a packing schedule to ensure everything gets packed; and hire help if needed! By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth and stress-free move in no time!