Packing your home for a move can be a hassle. But luckily, there are a few steps you can take to help ease the burden of moving stress and set yourself up for success.
Start By Decluttering
Before beginning the packing process, first sort through your belongings and get rid of anything that you don’t need, suggests Rachel Rosenthal, NoVA-based organizing expert and founder of Rachel and Company. “If it’s been a year since you’ve used something, don’t bring it,” Rosenthal says. “It will just end up as clutter.”
For instance, if you haven’t used that extra blender, third set of measuring cups, or mismatched mug in a while, it’s probably time to let it go. Or maybe you had aspirations at one point of making ice cream and the ice cream maker has just been sitting in the box in the kitchen cabinet for 10 years now.
“It’s safe to say that you are probably not going to be making ice cream in the new house,” says Lauren Sadlon, owner of Neat Method Northern Virginia. “Ultimately, the less you pack, the easier the move will be,” Rosenthal adds.
Tackle High-Clutter Areas
Be honest when going through junk drawers. “Consider it like this: Do you really need three broken pens and a key you can’t identify,” Rosenthal asks. “And that towering stack of magazines? You’re not going to read them. Recycle and reclaim that space.”
Clothes that haven’t left the hanger in two seasons — say goodbye, Rosenthal advises. “If you didn’t wear it last year, you won’t wear it this year either,” she adds.
As for old paperwork, expired coupons, and user manuals for gadgets you no longer own, shred them and don’t look back.
Create A “First-Night” Box
Planning ahead by creating a “first night” box for your new home can be a huge help. This box will contain essentials like toiletries, clothes, a bath towel, and a few kitchen items to be used right away.
“Pack like you’re going on a weekend trip,” Rosenthal recommends. Add any items that you may need to get you through your first day while you are still in the process of unpacking.
Label All of Your Moving Boxes
It is super important to label all of your moving boxes in order to keep things organized in the move.
This will make the unpacking process easier, says Rosenthal. “And be sure to label each box with the room that they are going in and not where they came from,” says Sadlon. “That is my biggest tip for easy unpacking.”
For example, if they came from the attic, but in the new house they will be stored in the basement, be sure to label it with “Basement.”
Hire Professional Movers If Possible
If you have the time and want to pack your home up yourself, by all means, go for it, notes Sadlon. “However, if you are on a time crunch or have it within your budget, I would recommend hiring a moving company to help do your packing as well,” she says.
Sadlon says that movers will typically have your home packed in a couple of days whereas it may take you a couple of weekends to do it yourself. “Hiring professionals can save time, reduce stress, and prevent breakage,” adds Rosenthal. “I think it is always worth the cost.”
Load the Truck Strategically
Whether you are packing the truck yourself or you have hired movers, having a strategy when loading up the truck can be crucial to a successful move.
“Pack the items you’ll need first at the back of the truck as these will be unloaded first,” says Rosenthal. This includes essentials like bedding, pillows, and bedroom items as you’ll want to set up your bed as soon as possible.
Other back of the truck items include bathroom boxes with towels, toiletries, and toilet paper and kitchen basics like your coffee maker, plates, a pan or two, snacks, and utensils.
Items that can wait a little longer to be unpacked can go toward the front of the moving truck. These include garage tools, off-season décor, storage boxes from the attic or basement that you won’t need right away, extra linens, books, or anything you can live without for a few days.
Rosenthal also offers these packing tips for moving success:
- Tackle one room at a time to stay organized and avoid chaos while packing.
- Don’t bring items that won’t work in your new space. Donate or sell them before you move.
- Group cables and electronics together. And take pictures of how they’re connected for easy setup later.
- Give yourself time and don’t rush. Stay organized and tackle packing in stages.
Feature image, stock.image.com
