Moving Tips and Tricks from a Professional Organizer

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TLDR;

To move with less stress, a professional organizer recommends decluttering before packing, creating a detailed moving plan, and using a labeling system. Pack room by room, prepare an essentials box, and organize your move with tech tools for a smoother experience.

Stress-Free Moving Advice from a Pro Organizer

Moving doesn’t have to be chaotic. In fact, with the right strategy and preparation, it can be smooth and manageable. As a professional organizer at An Organized Life, I’ve helped hundreds of clients—especially older adults—make Stress-Free Senior Moves and seamless transitions into new homes.

Decluttering Before a Move: Organizing Starts Here

One of the most common mistakes people make is packing everything they own without sorting first.

Why decluttering is crucial:

  • Reduces moving costs (fewer boxes, smaller truck)
  • Saves unpacking time later
  • Helps start fresh in your new space

How to declutter effectively:

  • Sort by category, not by room: Start with clothes, then books, papers, miscellaneous, and sentimental items
  • Use the keep/toss/donate rule: If you haven’t used it in the last year, it likely needs to go
  • Let go emotionally: Be honest about what serves you in your current life

Donation and recycling tips:

  • Donate gently used items to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or local shelters
  • Recycle electronics and hazardous waste responsibly

How to Create a Moving Timeline and Stay on Track

Planning ahead can save you from last-minute chaos. A structured timeline ensures everything gets done without rushing.

8 weeks before the move:

  • Research and book your moving company
  • Start decluttering each room
  • Create a moving binder or use digital planning tools

4 weeks before:

  • Order packing supplies
  • Begin packing non-essentials
  • Notify change of address to banks, subscriptions, etc.

1 week before:

  • Pack your essentials box
  • Confirm moving arrangements
  • Deep clean your current home

Tools to use:

  • Apps like MoveAdvisor, Trello, or Google Keep
  • Printable checklists or Excel templates for tracking tasks

How to Pack for a Move Like a Professional Organizer

Efficient packing is an art, and it’s all about strategy. The goal is to make unpacking just as easy as packing.

Start with a room-by-room approach:

  • Focus on one room at a time to avoid mixing items

Label everything:

  • Label boxes on multiple sides with room name and brief contents
  • Use color-coded tape or stickers per room

Use inventory apps:

  • Sortly or Magic Home Inventory can help track items and keep things organized

Packing tips that make a difference:

  • Pack heavy items at the bottom, lighter ones on top
  • Use towels, clothes, or bubble wrap to protect fragile items
  • Seal boxes with high-quality packing tape
  • Group like-items together (e.g., office supplies, toiletries)

Packing supplies checklist:

  • Assorted box sizes
  • Packing paper/bubble wrap
  • Tape & scissors
  • Permanent markers or label makers

Eco-Friendly Moving Tips to Reduce Waste

Sustainable moving is not only possible—it’s smart. It saves money, protects the planet, and keeps your conscience clear.

Ways to move sustainably:

  • Rent reusable plastic bins instead of buying cardboard
  • Reuse old newspapers or clothes as packing material
  • Drop off used boxes at local recycling centers

Eco-conscious donation options:

  • Schedule pickups with Habitat for Humanity or GreenDrop
  • Donate perishable food to local food banks

Hire green moving services that use fuel-efficient trucks and eco-friendly practices

Tech Tools for a Smooth Move

Digital tools can make moving easier to manage and much less stressful.

Top moving and inventory apps:

  • Sortly: Keeps a digital log of packed items with photos
  • MoveAdvisor: Helps create timelines and manage logistics
  • Trello or Asana: Use to assign tasks and track progress

Use cloud storage:

  • Store contracts, checklists, and contact info in Google Drive or Dropbox

Calendar syncs and reminders:

  • Use Google Calendar to schedule tasks and send yourself reminders

Moving Day Checklist: How to Stay Organized and Calm

Happy woman checking stuff in cardboard box before sent to transportation company and movin

Moving day can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Prepare an “Open First” box: Include:

  • Toiletries
  • Medications
  • Snacks
  • Chargers
  • Change of clothes
  • Cleaning supplies

Have a moving day kit:

  • Toolset, scissors, tape
  • Important documents
  • Pet food and essentials (if applicable)

Coordinate with movers:

  • Walk them through your home
  • Explain labeling systems
  • Provide them with bottled water and clear walkways

How to Organize After Moving: Unpack with Purpose

Unpacking is just as important as packing—it sets the tone for your new space.

Start with key areas:

  • Kitchen: Unpack essentials like dishes, silverware, coffee maker
  • Bathroom: Toiletries and towels
  • Bedroom: Bedding, clothes, and lighting

Unpack room by room:

  • Resist the urge to open every box at once
  • Focus on function: Set up spaces based on daily habits

Tips to avoid clutter creep:

  • Store items vertically when possible
  • Invest in drawer dividers and shelf organizers
  • Continue the decluttering mindset as you unpack

Create zones in each room:

  • For example, a cooking zone in the kitchen or a reading nook in the living room

Let a Pro Organizer from An Organized Life Be Your Secret Weapon

Moving doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. With expert moving tips and tricks from a professional organizer, you can take control of the process and turn chaos into clarity.

Need personalized support? An Organized Life offers virtual organizing sessions, custom checklists, and one-on-one coaching to help you master your next move.