Moving to a new residence can be a difficult process for many people. Packing up several years of accumulated items can be stressful and overwhelming. Of course, this is not new information. There are many blogs and articles that have helpful tips for packing, moving, and unpacking. Although I find most of them useful, some of these tips may not be helpful in certain situations. So, I read through several articles and compiled a list of the most helpful tips for moving that are applicable to almost any situation.
Rid yourself of any unnecessary items
Depending on whether moving an entire house or just a room, decluttering is a great way to start. While packing, have a box or bin primarily for items that are no longer of use and can be donated. Also, keep a trashcan nearby. Sometimes, not everything can be donated and heavily used items should be tossed.
Ask yourself some simple questions: “Have I used this in the past 6 months?” “Can I use this in my new space?”
If the answer to these questions is no, then it needs to go. Keeping old items leaves little to no space for any new items that may be purchased. Think of it as a fresh start and reevaluate which possessions are useful and meaningful to you.
Cost-efficient packing techniques are key
It is quite costly to buy brand new packing supplies for everything you own. Try to repurpose old cardboard boxes or storage bins. It is also efficient and cost effective to use any large bags or totes you already own. Also ask anyone you may know who just recently moved if they would be willing to donate their moving boxes to you. This would save money and it is also eco-friendly to reuse.
Bubble packing and other packing materials are also costly. To avoid spending money on something that will likely only be used once, try wrapping any fragile objects in your clothes or bedding. If the fragile objects are dirty, clean them off before wrapping them in your clean clothes. Washing clothes right when you move in can be stressful and time consuming. So, clean the objects before wrapping to avoid this situation.
Placing hangers in boxes between items or when the box is half packed is a great way to make the boxes and bins sturdier. They also take up space and can be used as dividers between fragile objects or anything that you would like to keep separated.
Use the Russian Doll packing trick to avoid leaving empty space in boxes. This packing technique requires little to no effort and only involves you putting items into other items and then into the box. A good example of this is with kitchen ware. Placing utensils and other cutlery into a large pot or pan is a great way to keep the items together and utilize all the space you have. Don’t leave empty space in boxes!
The last packing technique may be the most obvious. Labeling is important in the moving process and helps you keep track of which items are in which boxes. Labeling does not have to be anything fancy. When I moved, I used a large sharpie and just wrote on the boxes in large letters as to what the contents were or where the box would go. Also, label every side of whatever the container is so you can see all sides whichever way the box is packed or stacked.
Other helpful tips for moving and unpacking
If you are moving large furniture that needs to be taken apart to be transported, keep all the hardware in small ziplock bags. If possible, place that bag in the furniture. This prevents the loss of these small integral pieces. If there is more than one piece of furniture that needs to be taken apart, use separate ziplock baggies for each piece of furniture and make sure to label the bags.
It is never too early to start packing. If you are moving in the summer, take advantage of that and pack up all items that are specific to winter like coats, heavy sweaters, and decorations. Just remember to keep items you use every day out until the day of moving.
Once you have moved, set a deadline for yourself and make sure all boxes are unpacked before that date. Unpack one room at a time, starting with the most important and used rooms like the kitchen, living room, and main bedroom you will be sleeping in. It is also helpful to fold all clothing when packing so unpacking will go by in a flash.
Remember to schedule utilities if you are moving into a house. Plan this at least 1 week before moving to ensure that there will be electricity and running water when you move in.
Although this does not cover every tip for a stress free and efficient move, it covers what I believe to be the most important aspects of the moving process. Hopefully these tips can help in future moves!
Written by Lydia Glenn, Agresti Real Estate Transaction & Lead Specialist
Sources:
https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/moving/moving-packing-tips
https://www.pods.com/blog/packing-moving-tips