Organize Your Move Like a Pro

Are you planning a move? New beginnings can be a very exciting time. However, the logistics of moving, along with the daunting task of packing up all of your things can often be overwhelming. According to a study conducted by OnePoll, 64% of Americans ranked moving as one of the most stressful life events. The good news is it doesn’t have to be so stressful. I am sharing my proven tips and strategies to help you streamline your move, from prepping to unpacking in your new space.

Prepping For Your Move

Start Early ~ Begin your planning for your move as early as possible. The more time you have to prepare and get all of your ducks in a row the better. Starting this process early will also allow for changes and any unknowns that are certain to come up.

Create a Moving Checklist ~ Make a list of all your moving to-do’s. This goes way beyond packing, as it will include tasks like changing your address, moving your utilities and scheduling movers. Include any tasks to prep your current home to sell if that’s part of your process. Add a timeline, complete with deadlines, for all the pieces. This checklist and timeline will help make sure everything gets done timely and will eliminate any last minute surprises.

Declutter Before You Pack ~ Before you plan your packing process, declutter each room in your home. This is essential to not only reduce the number of  items you will have to pack, but ensures that only the items you use and love make it to your new home. Declutter room by room, using the Three Box Method - keep, donate and trash. Bonus ~ fewer items to pack leads to less items to unpack and reduced moving costs!

Gather Your Supplies ~ Getting all the necessary supplies before you begin packing will help you streamline that process. You will definitely need high-quality boxes in various sizes to accommodate different items, along with packing paper and tape. Labels and markers are essential to ensure your packing is organized and easy to unpack on the other side. Don’t forget the box cutters and scissors for the unpacking process!

Packing Like a Pro

Room-by-Room ~ The key to your success with the packing process is a room-by-room approach. Start with the rooms that aren’t used very often, like your guest rooms or storage areas. From there begin packing the least used items in each room like off season clothing for the bedrooms. This is super helpful if you are starting this process early, as your daily essential items won’t be packed too soon. 

Organizing Your Boxes ~ Label each box with the room it belongs to. You can use a color coding system here as well. It will be helpful to add an overview of the contents to each box. You can also add numbers to know how many boxes you should have for each room. 

Packing Tips ~ The key to packing a box is in the cushioning! Scrunch your packing paper and place it in the bottom of the box to give your belongings a good cushy foundation. You can fill empty spaces in your boxes with towels to keep everything in place as it moves to your new home. You want to create a box where nothing can move inside once you’ve sealed it up!

Use your small boxes for heavier items like books and large boxes for lighter items like clothing. This will make them much easier to carry and help with the stacking process. Wrap your fragile items well and label those boxes so everyone knows to be extra careful. Be mindful of liquids and take extra care to prevent leaking. Sealing liquids in plastic can help prevent a mess on the other side.

"First Night" Bag ~ Pack an essentials bag with basic items you will need for the first night in your new home. Fill this bag with your toiletries, a change of clothes, any medications you need and of course your phone charger. Fill your re-usable water bottles with water and put them in the fridge when you get there.  That way you have nice cool water at the ready without needing a glass.  Make sure you throw in some favorite snacks as well for a little pick me up if needed. You will be so grateful for this bag after a long day of moving.

Unpacking ~ Strategically

Room-by-Room ~ Apply the same approach we used in the packing process to the unpacking process. All that work spent organizing and labeling your boxes will pay off big now. Start with the high priority rooms like your kitchen, bathroom and closets. And get your bed made day one. The feeling of cozying up in “your” bed at the end of the day will be priceless.

Organized Systems ~ Don’t be in a rush to quickly unpack everything. Take time to get a feel for your new space. Think about the layout and the best approach to arranging your items for maximum functionality. For example, place frequently used kitchen items in easy-to-reach cabinets and store seasonal or rarely used items in less accessible areas. Taking the time to do this as you unpack will be so helpful as you start truly living in your new space.

Decorating ~ Save the finishing touches until after all the main unpacking is complete. While it may be tempting to get the decorating party started, waiting will likely serve you well. Give yourself time to focus on setting up the spaces with the main components which will allow you to get a feel for the flow. This will help you make more intentional decor choices suited to your lifestyle and new space.

Moving doesn’t have to be a daunting task and you don’t have to do it alone! With my professional organizing techniques and strategies, the moving process can be transformed into a smooth, efficient and even enjoyable experience for you. As a skilled moving organizer, I can help you pack-up and un-pack from beginning to end so the load can feel a lot lighter. Schedule your consultation today to see how I can help you organize your move for a seamless (and even FUN!) transition to your new home!