Moving is a large task that most of us find overwhelming. Using the time leading up
to the move to get organized will relieve some of the stress. With moving season fast approaching, we are here to help you get organized and give you a head start. Here
are some tips on how to pack for a move.
Make a Plan
First thing’s first, you need a plan. Start by creating a timeline leading up to your moving date. Include deadlines for tasks like hiring movers or renting a moving truck, decluttering, packing, connecting and disconnecting utilities, and changing your address.
Make sure to gather supplies in advance. You will need plenty of boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and sharpies (for labeling).
Have a plan for the day of the move. If you have kids or pets, decide where they should be on moving day. Assign someone to help direct the movers on where to place items and furniture post move.
Declutter
Why bother moving things you no longer want or need? Decluttering in advance will lighten the load. Start early and go through items room by room. Make decisions on what to keep, donate, or discard. Be ruthless. If you haven’t worn it or used it in the past year, consider letting it go. Moving is an opportunity for a fresh start. Take only things you need or love to your new home.
Pack Room by Room
You have already made the packing process easier by decluttering, but the thought of packing up the whole house can still be overwhelming. Focus on one room at a time and start with the least frequently used items.
Labeling is huge. Label the contents of each box and the room it belongs in. The more specific, the better. Don’t forget to mark boxes with fragile items to be handled with extra care. We love using color coded labels to make it easy to identify boxes and place them in the correct room.
Labeling tip: Use a numbering system to help make the unpacking process easier. Label each box with numbers 1, 2, or 3 (1 being the highest priority). Boxes labeled with the number 1 contain the most essential items and should be unpacked first. Boxes labeled with the number 3 can be put off a little longer.
Pack an overnight bag before moving day with essential items that you will need right away. Pack a change of clothes, toiletries, important documents, medications, and your phone charger. You don’t want to be digging through boxes for your toothbrush post move, so having these items on hand will make your life easier.
Let’s work together to handle the logistics of your move. If the decluttering process seems daunting, we can help. Contact us for home organizing help if you’d like a partner to get you going.