KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Start Early and Plan Ahead: Avoid the stress of last-minute packing by beginning early, organizing your tasks, and booking movers or rental trucks in advance. The more time you give yourself, the smoother your move will go.
Declutter Before Packing: Use your move as an opportunity to get rid of unnecessary items. Donate or dispose of things you no longer need, and consider renting a storage unit for items that don’t need to go to your new home right away.
Stay Organized and Set Up a Sanctuary: As you unpack, keep things organized by putting items directly in the rooms where they belong. Set up a designated space, like your bedroom, to create a calming retreat amidst the chaos, allowing you a place to relax during the transition.
Do you hate moving? If you do, then you are not alone. More than 12% of American households move each year…and it’s a safe bet that a vast majority of those dislike moving. Moving can be a stressful event, as it’s physically demanding and emotionally draining. In short, it’s not something that most people look forward to. However, let’s face it, at some point, you will probably move or help someone else with their move. It doesn’t have to be a miserable experience, though. If you plan it out and follow some simple rules, your next move should be, if not enjoyable, at least a success.
Do you need reliable relocation advice? Are you in the midst of creating your very own moving checklist for your next relocation? Here’s a quick look at seven moving tips to guide you through your next move.
RULE#1: GET STARTED EARLY
The biggest obstacle to your success is procrastination. You need time to prepare, to plan, and to organize your move. Imagine if you started packing up a box or two each day, one month before your move. You would have 30-60 boxes ready to go on the day of. Besides packing, you should make reservations in advance for your movers, moving truck, or whatever else you will need on moving day. Starting early will make your moving day go much smoother and is sure to lower your stress. If you’re moving out of state, be sure to check out our moving packing checklist for relocating out of state.
RULE #2: MAKE A PLAN
I know what you’re thinking, how much planning do you need to put into a move? Don’t you just need to throw a bunch of stuff into boxes and take them to a new location? How hard could that be? Well, if you want to have a stress-free, enjoyable move, then there is more to it than that. You should put together a moving day preparation plan that includes:
- The amount of time you have before moving day
- Moving checklist for apartments and homes, which includes items such as packing, getting moving supplies, and changing your address.
- The number of rooms that you need to be packed, and the basic contents of each room
- The resources that you’ll have available, such as friends, family, professional movers, a rental truck, etc.
RULE #3: PACK & PRIORITIZE
Moving involves a whole lot of boxes. You will need an assortment of different box shapes and sizes for your move. You can often get moving boxes for free from local stores or people who are discarding them. You can also purchase new boxes from a self-storage solution or moving company. Don’t forget to buy tape to close and seal the boxes as well. You should pack and label your boxes by room so that you know where to put them in your new home. For more information on boxes, take a look at our article, The Wonderful World of Boxes. Some items are more important or will need to be accessed before the others. Make sure to prioritize the boxes in each room and clearly mark the highest priority boxes. You may want to attach a custom label to these important boxes. Along the same lines, you should put together a moving survival kit. This should include items that will get you through the first day or two after the move, like a change of clothes, toiletries, towels, sheets, a book, etc.
RULE #4: GET RID OF CLUTTER
Before you pack up and move everything to your new residence, you should take a quick inventory of what you have. Is there anything that clutters your house currently that you may not want to take with you? This is your chance to make a new start and be more organized. You can dispose of broken items and donate old clothing, toys, or tools. For items that you want to hold onto, but don’t want to store at your new residence, you can rent a storage unit.
RULE #5 STAY ORGANIZED & BE PREPARED
Stay organized when you are unloading the truck and putting items into your new residence. You don’t want to stack everything in the entryway. Instead of piling everything into one room and moving it into the correct place later, try putting items in the room where they belong. This will save you the time and effort of moving everything twice. In addition to staying organized, you should be prepared with a tool kit on hand to assemble beds and other furniture, hang pictures, etc.
RULE #6: SET UP A SANCTUARY
Set up just one room in your new home as quickly as possible. This will give you a quiet place, free of boxes, to go when you need a break from unpacking. Your bedroom is a great room for this, with the added bonus of giving you a place to sleep later.
RULE #7: LAY LOW
Once you have moved into your new home and unpacked, you are going to need some rest and relaxation time. Make sure to schedule some time to get used to your new surroundings, rest, and recuperate…you deserve it.
INVEST IN A SELF-STORAGE SOLUTION
Whether you’re moving into an apartment, condo, or family home, having enough storage is key to ensuring a stress-free process. At Price Self Storage, we have a variety of unit sizes available for short – and long-term leases. Whether you’re downsizing or moving temporarily, we have a reliable solution you can use to streamline your next move. Find a location near you today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING DAY PREPARATION
Looking for reliable moving tips? Need safe and secure self-storage solutions for your next move? Before you start planning, review our frequently asked questions below.
Why is it important to start the moving process early?
The earlier you start your moving day preparation, the more time you have to find a reliable moving company, pack your belongings, and declutter your home. This will make the process less stressful for everyone involved.
What should be included in a moving plan?
Your moving plan should include everything you need for the move-out day. This should include a precise timeline, moving budget, and a detailed overview of packing strategies you can use. You should also include a moving checklist you can follow along with on move-out day and your moving company’s contact information or contract details.
How can I prioritize items when packing?
You’ll want to pack items you don’t use regularly first. Start in rooms such as the garage, guest bedroom, or hallway closets. Slowly make your way through your home until you reach the items in the rooms you use frequently.
What should I do with items I no longer need?
As you pack your belongings, decide what to keep, donate, or give away. Decluttering as you pack is a great way to keep your home organized and to streamline the unpacking process in your new home.
How can I make my new home feel comfortable quickly?
Professional movers can help you feel more comfortable in your new home by helping with unpacking, debris removal, and appliance setup. Their professional guidance will ensure these tasks get done as quickly and efficiently as possible, so you can relax and unwind in your new home on the day you move in.
