Moving to a new house is an exciting thing, but in many cases, it can be overwhelming. Moving day can certainly cause you a lot of stress, between packing, organizing, and making sure you do not miss anything. Planning ahead and coming up with some easy hacks, however, can ensure that everything becomes a breeze. Whether you are moving within the city or to a different state, here are some tips to enable you to tackle your moving day like a pro.
1. Moving Checklist Best Practice
Create a moving checklist to keep you organized. Your checklist should include everything related to packing supplies and utilities setup. List tasks by days or weeks as needed. Some of the most important details you may want to include on your checklist are: Purchasing supplies (packing boxes, packing tape, markers) Scheduling moving services Notifying utility companies Change your address at the post office.
Pro Tip: Plan for at least one month ahead so you will not rush in the last minute.
2. Declutter Before You Pack
Moving is a fantastic opportunity to declutter your belongings. Go through each room and come to a decision of what you need to keep, donate, or throw away. The fewer things you have to move, the less difficult your moving day will be. This can also save you time and money if you are hiring a moving company.
Pro Tip: Test the one-year rule-if you haven't used it in the past year, it's probably safe to let it go.
3. Label Your Boxes Clearly
It is obvious that marking your boxes is the first thing you do while packing. Write down whatever items are packed and the specific room where the contents need to be placed. You will be easier to unpack when you get to the new place. Use color-coded stickers for each room to make it easy.
Pro Tip: Mark all sides of the box; it doesn't have to be marked just on top, because when they are all stacked up, you can identify whatever is inside them easily.
4. Prepare a "First Day" Box
You will not have any energy to unpack everything on the first night when you move to your new home. In order not to rummage through many boxes for something you need, you ought to prepare a "first day" box. It should contain toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, phone chargers, and other provisions of the essentials in the kitchen.
Pro Tip: Pack this box and keep it in your car or easily accessible on moving day.
5. Towels and Blankets for Fragile Packing
Towels, blankets, and bedding can be used instead of buying bubble wrap or packing paper to wrap fragile items. It saves space and helps your breakables not break the bank to protect them.
Pro Tip: Pack breakable things like glassware and dishes in the middle of a towel. Fold all the edges of the towel around it, then into a box.
6. Picture Electronics Configuration
Take a fast photo of the configuration before turning off everything. That'll save you so much time and frustration when you're trying to configure the stuff in your new house.
Pro Tip: Pack all cords into labeled ziplock bags so that nothing slips through the cracks during the move.
7. Hire Professional Movers or Help Early
Regardless of whether you hire professionals or rely on friends and family, make sure to confirm your moving crew well in advance of moving day. If you have hired a professional moving company, reserve your moving company early enough to not have to work around their peak moving days when prices are often higher.
Pro Tip: If at all possible, make the move on a weekday since weekends are usually busier and more costly for moving services.
8. Pack Heavy Items in Small Boxes
Small boxes are meant for heavy stuff like books. Using large boxes might look efficient, but they can turn too heavy to either lift or carry. The weight can then be better shared in smaller boxes.
Pro Tip: Pack heavy loads like books in luggage with wheels; that will reduce the strain on your back.
9. Sorting by Rooms within the Truck
Minimize to pack boxes and furniture from the same room together in the moving truck. This will actually make unloading and unpacking so much easier when you get to your new home. To do this, place your larger furniture at the back of the truck and boxes towards the front.
Pro Tip: Label boxes that contain essentials so they are some of the first to be unloaded.
10. Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks
Moving is not just physically exhausting but also mentally stressful, so it's very important to take care of yourself throughout the day. Drink water and keep taking breaks if you feel you are getting burned out. Moving day is a marathon, not a sprint!
Pro Tip: Pack some easy-to-eat snacks like granola bars or fruit for quick energy boosts during the move.
Have a Smooth Stress-Free Move
Moving does not have to be a source of stress. If you plan a little and employ these helpful hacks, you will make your moving day easier and actually stress-free. So whether you are a first-time mover or seasoned pro, the following tips will surely ensure that you enjoy a smooth and easy transition into your new home.